by Carol Lynne
“Make sure you tell Takoda that Enapay is on his way.”
Hakan made a noise in his throat. “Before they got the tube down him, he was gasping both of your names.”
The information knocked Gray on his ass. Were his visions coming true already? “Thanks. Just tell him, okay?”
“Will do.”
Gray hung up the phone and turned to Enapay. His lover had gone pale. “We need to get back to Takoda. Something’s wrong with him and they don’t know what it is, but he’s calling for us.”
“Us?”
Gray nodded. He wondered if Enapay knew what the bit of information would mean. “We’ll need to talk on the plane ride back. Right now we need to get the hell out of here and to the airport.”
Enapay wrapped his arms around Gray. “He can’t die. It will all fall apart if he dies.”
Gray couldn’t help but to think Enapay knew more than he was willing to say. It couldn’t be good if his lover was hiding the truth from him. Although they’d yet to verbalize their individual visions, Gray wondered if they’d been the same. “Let’s get out of here.”
* * * *
Stretched out on the couch, wrapped in each other’s arms, Enapay kissed the top of Gray’s head. He’d held his tongue until after they’d taken off from the airport. The conversation he knew was coming could become touchy, and the last thing he wanted was to hurt his new mate. “He’s meant to be with us.”
Gray surprised Enapay with a nod. “Yes.”
“How do you feel about that?” Enapay asked. He knew Gray cared for Takoda, but loving him was an entirely different matter.
“I think it’s the only way it’ll work. Unless we bring him into our relationship, the love you feel for Takoda will always feel threatening to me.”
“Does it anger you?” Enapay asked.
“No.” Gray moved to lean up on his elbow, meeting Enapay’s gaze. “I think I saw the future when you made love to me. Is that a normal part of the mating process?”
Enapay grinned. “No. I think it was a gift from Father Sky, but I saw it too.”
“Do you think Takoda will be open to us?” Gray questioned.
“I think what Takoda wants in life is to be loved but accepted for who he is. A relationship with him won’t be easy, but it will have its rewards. Despite what most people think, Takoda has a loving heart. I know I didn’t even see that side of him until recently.”
“In my visions, Takoda was always there, either making love with us or flying overhead.”
Enapay had the same vision, although he knew not to take the sight of Takoda overhead literally. “I think it means that even if he’s not with us physically, he’ll always be in our hearts.”
Gray settled back down against Enapay’s chest. Since the phone call earlier, Enapay had wondered if he’d read his visions incorrectly. What if Father Sky was trying to tell them Takoda would always be with them in spirit if not in body? Did Father Sky know Takoda’s health would take a turn for the worse? Maybe Enapay and Gray were being prepared for Takoda’s death.
As the plane leveled out, Enapay’s body slowly became more settled. From his visions, he knew he’d be spending a great deal of time on airplanes. Gray was meant to educate the masses, and he wouldn’t be able to do that from the comfort of Refuge.
Enapay still wasn’t sure what he thought of a life on the go, but he knew Gray would need him. Gray shifted several times in Enapay’s arms. He knew something was bothering his new mate. “What’s wrong?”
Gray shook his head. “I can’t help but wonder how far back Father Sky’s plans for me go. Was I always meant to be a geneticist, or am I here with you now because I became one?”
“Did you always want to be a doctor?” Enapay asked, rubbing Gray’s back.
“Not always. When I was a boy, I wanted to be a policeman. I think it was a pretty normal thing back then. But then my brother and sisters started to get sick.”
Enapay didn’t understand what sick siblings had to do with Gray’s choice of careers until his lover continued.
“I was the oldest. Then came Sarah, Julie and Jacob were the twins. They all appeared perfectly healthy. When Sarah was around six, she started to trip and fall a lot. At first, my parents thought she was just being careless, but then her vision started to decline. They took her to a number of specialists and she was diagnosed with Batten disease which is a neurodegenerative problem.”
Enapay struggled with the terminology Gray used so easily. He didn’t know what all the words meant, but he could tell by the tone of Gray’s voice it wasn’t good.
“I’ve already told you I was a klutz. Well, once Sarah was diagnosed and they found out it was genetic, my parents became concerned and had all us kids tested. Julie and Jacob tested positive. I was negative.” Gray shrugged and rubbed his cheek against Enapay’s chest. “They all died within a matter of twelve years.”
Enapay felt a lump form in his throat as his eyes began to sting with unshed tears. “I’m sorry.”
Gray nodded. “I don’t know if I ever forgave myself for being the lone survivor. I think my parents had a similar reaction. They spent so much time taking care of my brother and sisters I was pushed to the side.”
Enapay placed a kiss on the top of Gray’s head. He couldn’t imagine the scared boy watching his family fall apart around him.
“Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t blame my folks. I know it was hard for them to know it came from them. I think when they looked at me, I was a reminder of everything they would miss out on with their other children. When it came time to go to college, genetics seemed like an obvious choice. I needed to know why I was spared.”
“And did you find out?” Enapay asked.
“No. But now I’m wondering if I was saved for a reason.”
Enapay thought about it. Father Sky was known to see far beyond the obvious. It was entirely possible Gray was saved the same fate his brother and sisters were subjected to for a higher purpose. Unfortunately, they would probably never learn the truth.
What was apparent was Gray’s place in the future of the shifter world. Through educating the public on what shifters are and aren’t, perhaps life would be easier for everyone. No longer would shifters be forced to live in fear. They would have more freedom to venture out into the world and enjoy the same things most humans took for granted. On the other hand, humans would learn there was no need to fear something simply because they didn’t understand it.
Enapay settled in for the long flight with his mate in his arms. Whatever happened, he knew he’d always stand by Gray. If it meant getting used to airplanes, then so be it.
* * * *
Gray put a comforting hand on Enapay’s shoulder before joining Hakan, Ryker and Daniel in the corner of the room. “How’s he doing?”
Hakan lowered his eyes and shook his head. “He’s not responding to anything Sam tried.”
Gray knew medicine could only do so much. He turned to Daniel. “What about the spring you told me about?”
Daniel bit his lip and glanced at Hakan. “We’ve tried it before with the other birds and it didn’t work, remember?”
Gray nodded. “This isn’t a shifter illness anymore. This is a human illness.”
Daniel shook his head. “Doesn’t matter now. I don’t think Takoda would even last the trip up to the spring.”
“What the hell is wrong with you people?” He walked out of the room to the nurses’ station. “Give me Takoda’s file.”
Nancy handed Gray the thick file.
“Thanks,” Gray mumbled as he carried it back towards his lab. He studied the documents on the way, stopping in his tracks before he ever reached the lab. “What the fuck?”
Gray turned back around and approached the nurse again. “Where’s Dr. Sparrol?”
“He left almost two hours ago after he got off shift. Why? Is something wrong?” Nancy asked.
“Who ordered this medication?” he asked pointing to an entry in the file.
“Dr
. Sparrol. Why?”
Gray held out his hand. “Give me the keys to the medicine closet.”
Nancy dug into the front pocket of her smock and produced a small key ring. Gray snatched the key and took off, not even thanking the nurse. He grabbed what he needed and raced back to Takoda’s room.
Without taking the time to say anything to the others in the room, Gray whipped the sheet off Takoda and injected him with the proper dose of epinephrine. After pulling the needle out of Takoda’s thigh muscle, he looked at Hakan. “Find Sam Sparrol.”
“Why? What did you just give Takoda?” Hakan asked.
“Epinephrine. According to his chart, Sam gave Takoda penicillin earlier today. It clearly says in his file he’s allergic.”
“Maybe he just didn’t see it,” Enapay piped up.
“If it was truly a mistake, he would have caught it when he saw Takoda’s reaction to it. Besides, what kind of doctor leaves a man dying in his clinic just because it’s time for him to be off duty?” Gray shook his head. “This was intentional. My guess is he’s running. If you told him I was on my way back here, he had to know I’d figure it out.”
Hakan’s eyes narrowed, but it was Ryker who spoke up. “I don’t understand. Sam’s saved hundreds of shifters.”
“Has he? And how many died under his care?”
Hakan simply nodded and left the room. Gray could tell by the expression on the Guardian’s face he’d stop at nothing to find Sam.
“I’ll call Toby and Jack,” Ryker announced, leaving in Hakan’s wake.
Gray recapped the syringe and placed it in the sharps bin before going around the opposite side of the bed. He stepped up behind Enapay and placed both hands on his lover’s shoulders. “Are you okay?”
Enapay leaned back, resting his head on Gray’s chest. “Is he going to live?”
“Yes.” Gray turned to Daniel. “Would you do me a huge favor and find Takoda’s folder? I think I left it at the nurses’ station, but I was so upset, who the hell knows.”
The moment Daniel left the room, Gray knelt at Enapay’s side and kissed him. “He’ll be okay in a few minutes. I’m going to remove the oxygen tube once he’s able to breathe on his own.”
Enapay stared at Gray through glazed eyes. “Why would Dr. Sparrol try to kill him?”
“I’m not sure, but it makes me question a lot of things.”
Daniel came back into the room with Takoda’s file.
“Thanks. Can I ask you one more favor?” Gray asked.
“Sure.”
“Bring me my briefcase from the car? I need to check the file I have on Takoda with this one.”
“You think…” Daniel began.
“I don’t know, but I need to figure it out. Once Takoda’s breathing on his own, I’d still like to get him up to that spring of yours.”
“Of ours,” Daniel corrected.
Gray nodded. He knew Daniel was trying to tell him he was one of them, shifter or not. “Of ours.”
* * * *
Enapay continued to hold Takoda’s hand. Gray had taken the tube out of Takoda’s throat, but Enapay was still worried. Actually, he was worried about both the men he loved.
He glanced at Gray. His lover sat in the corner on the floor surrounded by charts and other pieces of paper. Enapay wondered if Gray was blaming himself for something Sparrol had done. “You okay? Want me to get you something to drink?”
Gray looked up from the tablet he held. “Huh?”
“I asked if you needed anything.”
Gray shook his head. “There are a few gaps in Takoda’s chart. There are four different occasions when the nurses noted Dr. Sparrol visiting Takoda, but then Sparrol didn’t write anything in the chart before he left.”
“Is that wrong?” Enapay asked.
Gray nodded. “Sam should’ve at least signed the chart.” Gray blew out a heavy breath. “It’s all pretty suspicious.”
“Go do what you need to do. I’ll stay here with Takoda.”
Gray set down the tablet and stood. He walked over and sat on the end of Takoda’s bed. He held out his hand and Enapay threaded their fingers together. Gray rested his free hand on Takoda’s lower leg. His gaze seemed riveted on the small sick shifter. “He looks so peaceful in sleep.”
“He does,” Enapay agreed. He could see the pain and guilt in Gray’s expression. “None of this was your fault.”
Gray looked away from Takoda. “Really? I was brought in to help save your people. I’m afraid I got so caught up in my attraction to you that it made me sloppy. I should’ve known…”
Enapay leaned over and captured Gray’s mouth in a deep kiss. He would not let his lover take the blame for something a mad man did. Gray was the most loving and caring human he’d ever known. He tried to put all his feelings into each swipe of his tongue. There was no longer any doubt in his mind he was meant to love Gray, and love he did.
A noise from beside him caught his attention and he drew back. He glanced at Takoda and smiled. “Hey.”
“I see the two of you have figured it out.” Although Takoda’s voice was scratchy, the meaning came through loud and clear.
“Some of it,” Gray answered.
Enapay looked at Gray. What did his lover mean by that? He noticed Gray’s hand idly stroking Takoda’s lower leg and began to wonder.
Gray reached for the button on the side of Takoda’s bed. “Nancy, could you bring in a cup of ice chips?”
“Right away,” she answered over the intercom.
“I’d like to give you a breathing treatment if you think you’re up to it.” Gray looked hopefully at Takoda.
Enapay saw something else in the look, caring. Did Gray really care about Takoda? He knew Gray had been concerned for Takoda, but this was the first real indication Gray’s feelings might go even deeper.
“We need to get you well enough to make a trip up to the spring,” Gray informed Takoda.
“The spring?” Takoda asked.
“It’s a healing spring where miracles are meant to happen,” Enapay told Takoda.
“Will it heal my crow?”
Enapay and Gray looked at each other before Gray finally answered. “We don’t know.”
Enapay knew Gray didn’t believe it would, but Gray was so concerned with keeping Takoda’s spirits up, he refused to tell him the truth. Enapay knew there was only one man he could ask and that was Hakan. Surely Father Sky had informed the Guardian of his plans.
Chapter Six
Takoda woke to find Daniel at his bedside. “Where are Enapay and Gray?”
Daniel turned off the television and squeezed Takoda’s hand. “They’re outside talking to Hakan.”
“About what?” Takoda asked.
“I’m not sure. When Hakan returned from Jack and Toby’s, Enapay and Gray asked to speak with him privately.”
Takoda released Daniel’s hand and rubbed his eyes. He couldn’t believe he’d been asleep so long. “Did you find Dr. Sparrol?”
Once again, Daniel squirmed. “Yeah. They’re holding him at Toby and Jack’s house until someone from the Department of the Interior comes to take him.”
“Because of what he did to me?” Takoda asked.
“You and all the others. Hakan and Ryker tracked him for several hours before they caught up with him. When faced with going up against Ryker in his grizzly bear skin, Sam broke down and told them everything.”
“Which is?”
Daniel started to open his mouth but snapped it shut. He seemed to war with himself for several moments. “I’m not really supposed to talk about it, but I think you should know he was working with the others they captured.”
“Those men who’re pretending to be shifter?”
Daniel nodded. “Two of them are like Sam.”
“You mean shifters who don’t shift?” Takoda knew he didn’t like Sam for a reason.
Daniel winced. “It’s not that they don’t shift, it’s that they can’t shift. Their parents denounced their ab
ilities and chose to live as humans.”
Takoda couldn’t imagine someone throwing away such a sacred and beautiful gift. No wonder Sam and the others were screwed up. “Were Ryker and Hakan able to get out of Sam what was in the gas? Maybe that could be the reason I can’t shift.”
He used the handrails to pull himself to a sitting position. “Take me to them.”
Daniel shook his head. “You’re in no condition to go wandering around the halls. Besides, Enapay and Gray would not be happy about it.”
“Tough.” Takoda swung his legs over the side of the bed. “You go out and get some coffee if that’s what it takes to let you off the hook, but I need to see them.”
“I’ll go get them.” Daniel rose and squeezed Takoda’s hand. “Lie back down and take it easy or you’ll get me into trouble.”
Takoda eventually followed Daniel’s orders. Earlier, while unconscious, he’d felt Enapay and Gray with him. He still didn’t understand it, but since then, he needed both men near him. The moment he’d opened his eyes after being given the shot by Gray, Takoda knew the two men had mated.
The realization that he’d officially been left behind hurt at first, but the love evident in Enapay and Gray’s eyes when they looked at each other quickly eased the ache in his chest. All he’d ever wanted for Enapay was happiness. If Gray was able to bring him that, then things had worked out for the best.
* * * *
With one arm wrapped around Gray’s waist, Enapay began asking Hakan questions. “Did you know Gray and Takoda were my chosen mates?”
Hakan crossed his arms in front of his chest. Gray could see the defiant pose for what it was. Although Enapay and Hakan had been friends for years, Hakan was still Enapay’s Guardian and demanded a certain amount of respect from the shifter.
“I did,” Hakan answered simply.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Enapay asked.
Hakan shook his head. “That’s not how things work and you know it.”
“What about Takoda’s shifting? Is that part of this, too?” Gray spoke up.
Hakan tilted his head back, gazing toward the starry sky. Gray watched as the Guardian’s eyes closed, presumably communicating with Father Sky.
