An owl feather. Io had left a calling card.
Emma swiped at her eyes, and cool air replaced her warm body as she stepped back from him. “I need a tissue.”
Venn shoved the entire box at her, blocking her view of the feather. When she turned toward the bed, he snatched it up and crushed it in his hand. Energy swelled within him. At first he thought his rage had taken over, destroying any ability to control his powers. But then he realized it was something more. He saw a flicker of light off to the right, and the air warmed.
A wavering, semitransparent figure appeared at the end of the bed—Mrs. Grant.
What in blazes is going on? Her pissed-off mental demand for answers came to him from beyond the foot of the bed.
Venn did a double take, cocking his head sideways, and whaddya know, Grams’s glow took a clearer form, her arms folded in a stop-messing-with-me stance. He’d been a Guardian for enough years, living through lots of weird shit, so he wasn’t completely shocked to see her. The question that immediately hit him was, Could Emma see her?
He shot a guarded glance up the bed to Emma. No, he didn’t think so. She seemed lost in thought.
He spoke to the older woman mind to mind. You’re not dead.
Says who? I look dead. She motioned to the bed.
Point taken. He couldn’t help the half-smile that tugged at his lips. Gutsy lady. Again he checked Emma for a reaction. She was reading over her grandmother’s chart.
I guess this is what they call an out-of-body experience. Grams chortled, and she glanced at her granddaughter’s bowed head and sobered. This isn’t about me. You have to protect her. Jacob…you know him as Io… She shook her head, as if trying to comprehend the situation. Io’s some kind of monster.
He wondered how much of himself Io showed her. The poor woman.
I’ll watch over her, protect her. Don’t worry.
I knew there was something special about you. You have a noble aura, I told Emma. Mrs. Grant paused a beat. She can’t hear me, can she?
He shook his head.
Mrs. Grant sighed, giving a troubled expression that made him apprehensive about listening to what she would say next. Io bragged about using Emma to kill the tree. He was going on and on, full of himself. He spoke of her ability to change metal. About using that somehow. I didn’t really understand what he was talking about, but he said your name enough times that I know you are the one he’s really after.
Venn fisted his hands and sucked air in past his teeth. A slippery form of dread squirmed within him. There was something to be said about the old ways of attacking enemies before they attacked you.
The need to destroy Io burned within him. He glanced at Emma, and she caught his look.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he lied, all the while trying to figure out how Io planned to use Emma. Should he tell her he could see Grams and was having a conversation with the woman? No. Not yet. Emma carried too many problems on her shoulders right now.
Did Io give any clues to his intentions? he asked Grams. Io was the ultimate tormenter, and for some reason, he was now out to prove himself the most dangerous and evil monster in heaven and hell.
Only that she needed to pay attention to him, not you. She sighed again, long and hard. My death is my own fault. I allowed him to scare me to death. Literally.
Venn admired this strong woman. She didn’t place the blame on others. That monster would scare anyone.
She gave an accepting nod. Well, he’s after my Emma. Our Emma. How are you going to stop him?
He squared his shoulders, let the muscles along his spine realign with the movement. Emma is my mate. I’ll die, relinquish my Guardianship, whatever it takes, before I allow him to harm her. No matter what it takes, I’ll find a way.
And send Io back to hell where he belonged.
“I’m ready to go,” Emma announced, startling him. “Can we pick up Izzy and go to your place? I can’t stand being around my father right now.”
He pulled her into his arms, suppressing a groan and resting his chin on the top of her head. Mine. “You’re always welcome at my home. I love having you with me.”
“You know any good lawyers? I’ll need help to stop my father. Grams wouldn’t want to stay like this.”
She’s right about that, Grams said, her wrinkled eyes flashing with concern. I can wait to be set free. But it would do my heart good to see Emma and her father reconcile before I go. She sent him a what-are-ya-gonna-do-about-it stare.
Not asking too much of me, are you? Venn sighed.
Grams chuckled again as her shadowy form faded.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Her father’s rented Lincoln Town Car sat parked on the front lawn. Muddy tracks marked the snow-patched grass where the wheels had missed a bed of daffodils by mere inches. Obviously, he’d positioned the vehicle as close to the house as he could manage. Wouldn’t want to get his shoes dirty.
As Venn’s SUV rolled down the drive and neared the house, apprehension rippled through Emma’s middle. The crunch and snap of sticks and rocks beneath the tires only magnified her tension. She wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck. “Pull up at the side door, okay?”
“Sure.” He did so and cut the engine. “Want me to come in or wait here?”
“Wait here, please.” She paused before closing the car door and tried to smile, pleased that he hadn’t automatically assumed she’d need his help. “You can be my getaway car.”
He nodded. “You bet.”
Inside the living room, her dad occupied the leather recliner where Grandpa used to sit. The seat was tilted back and he spoke legalese over the phone. Scrambling for that durable power of attorney, most likely. He didn’t waste time, did he? The instant he saw her, he righted the chair with a pop of the mechanism.
Emma made a beeline for the stairs. As her loafers tapped the rhythm of her ascent, she felt a small victory bloom in her chest. Two minutes into the house and so far, so good.
No questions. No overbearing pressure. No demands.
In her bedroom, she dropped her small suitcase onto the bed and packed it with the things she’d need for the next couple of days. Really, she couldn’t think beyond that.
Izzy bounded into the room, tail wagging furiously, his nails clicking on the wood flooring as he entered. He pawed at her legs, begging to be picked up.
“You miss your momma, don’t you?” She scooped the dog into her arms and accepted a few wet laps on her chin, curling the furry, wiggling animal into her chest. Circling her fingers in Izzy’s coat, she added, “Me too.”
A few minutes later, she was set to go, suitcase ready and Izzy tucked in the crook of her arm. Now to make it past the guard once again. She’d gotten in without a fuss, but getting out would require a fight. It always did.
You’re being foolish, a little voice inside told her. Facing her father shouldn’t be such a big deal.
She drew herself taller. This time it wasn’t about her, though. Grams deserved her dignity.
Emma skidded to a stop at the kitchen door, where her father was standing at the counter. She squeezed the handle of the suitcase a little tighter as he dumped a shot of whiskey into a glass of Coke. If ever there was an occasion for a drink at two in the afternoon, this was it. For once she couldn’t fault him that.
His gaze darted up. His surprised expression indicated he hadn’t heard her approach. He straightened and his free hand went to his loosened tie, as if realizing his uncharacteristically unkempt appearance. Dark finger-combed hair fell over his forehead. His eyes gleamed, haunted. He clenched his square jaw.
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes.” For a second, her fear of him turned to sympathy.
“No need.” He sipped his drink. “I’ve already made arrangements. Mom will be moved to Glen Meadow tomorrow.”
A spurt of anger supplanted her fear. He thinks he’s won. He thinks I can’t do anything about this. I can. I will.
Emma closed the distance between them, plopping the suitcase on the chair as she passed it. Stopping when they were toe to toe, she tipped her head up to meet his smug gaze. “That is not what she would have wanted and you know it.”
His blue eyes flashed. “She just needs time to recover.”
Emma was gratified her voice remained steady, even though she shook inside. “No. She has died. And I will pull the plug myself if I have to.”
“You can’t. You wouldn’t.”
“Watch me.”
Her father’s face turned beet red. He gulped a long draw of booze, and she noted his hand trembling on the glass.
She turned, plucked her suitcase from the chair, and marched toward the exit. At the door, she glanced back and felt a slice of alarm at the emotionless expression in his eyes. But she remained focused on her grandmother. “My lawyer will be contacting you.”
He took an intimidating step forward. “You know I will get what I want.”
“Not this time.” Emma walked out, straight to the open car door Venn had waiting, where he took her bag. As soon as she sat down, the shakes rippled through her.
* * *
Venn pushed the heel of his hand against the car door and glanced to the ground, where the snow was tamped down by his pacing. He had not been able to wait inside the SUV. It had proved too confining, another barrier between him and Emma should she need his help.
But she had managed all on her own. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as he walked around the vehicle and set her suitcase in the back. His mate had fire. With his beyond-human hearing, he’d heard every word between father and daughter. And she hadn’t backed down.
He slid behind the wheel, reached over, and squeezed her hand. “You did a fine job.”
She exhaled a quivering breath. “I did, didn’t I?” After a moment, she turned her head. “You could hear me?”
“I’m a bit more than your average guy, remember?”
“Yes, you are.” A sassy twinkle lit her eyes, if only for a moment, and he was pleased to see it.
“We are talking about hearing, right?” he teased.
“What else?”
What else, indeed.
On the way to his place, Emma finally gave in to her exhaustion. With her head on the headrest, she fell asleep, Izzy curled in her lap.
Venn drove, swiping his free hand down his face and rubbed two days’ worth of beard. They had left his place this morning in such a hurry he hadn’t shaved. Again. So much had changed in the course of a day.
Last night had been exquisite. His body responded to the memory, his erection hard and full against his zipper. And she’d wanted him as much as he’d wanted her.
He clenched his jaw, eyeing her between watching the road. He touched her cheek and tenderly pushed a lock of hair off her forehead. Mine.
Io had killed his mate’s beloved grandmother. The demon had despicable plans even Venn hadn’t anticipated.
He gripped the steering wheel harder, with the urge to strangle Io, as he pressed his foot against the accelerator. A slip of fear that ran through him, no matter how hard he tried to suppress it. He damn well better keep her safe.
Venn growled to himself. Desperate. That’s what he was.
Argh, he loathed the position.
Io excelled as a manipulator. And didn’t evil fiends all have hidden agendas?
But how do I protect someone who doesn’t want protection? Doesn’t realize the danger? And even though he didn’t know the answers to those questions, he knew he could remedy at least part of the problem. He needed to tell her the rest of the story. That Io had killed her before and would probably try to do so again.
But he couldn’t sneak her out of town and leave the tree unprotected. He couldn’t lock her up, couldn’t hide out forever. No, he had to tell her the truth and risk her turning away from him altogether. Just because he knew and felt that intense mating bond didn’t mean she did.
Still, there was another part of the equation. Venn replayed Mrs. Grant’s words. She’d said Io had rambled about using Emma to kill the tree, something about her alchemist abilities. But how did they relate to each other?
Did Io know something he didn’t? Did he have a secret weapon of some kind?
Then the lightbulb moment he’d been searching for occurred.
He had his own secret to draw upon, a connection he shared with the ancient oak. A source of untold preserved information. A friend like no other. Custos.
Perhaps the Divine Tree would give him answers. He was well aware that there were things Custos would share with him, and other things he couldn’t or wouldn’t. But he wouldn’t know until he asked.
The strategy lightened his heart. He’d consult the oak tonight. Satisfied to at least have a plan, he stubbornly veered away from his inner wolf’s warning that any bargain would require a sacrifice.
Venn pulled into his garage and took the key from the ignition. He sat there another minute or two, though, watching Emma sleep. Her mouth was parted the slightest bit, and she looked so kissable. God, he wanted to kiss her, hold her, love her.
He gently shook her shoulder. “Hey, sleepyhead. We’re home.” How he wished this really were her home.
She groaned, peeked about, then bolted straight up in her seat, rousing the dog. “Oh, I fell asleep.”
Izzy yipped and walked his front paws up her chest. Venn envied the dog, remembering the soft feel of her breasts against his face.
“You needed the rest.” He got out, came around the car, and opened the door for her.
She stepped out with a squirming Izzy, and he grabbed her suitcase from the back.
She walked a few steps, then stopped abruptly, staring at the ceiling. “Oh no,” she muttered in a disgusted tone. “I’m not thinking straight.”
“What?”
“I should have driven Grams’s car.”
“Driving and sleeping isn’t good for your health, you know.”
Her face softened with a tired smile. “I can’t have you driving me all over the place.”
“Why not?”
“Really. You must have better things to do.”
Nothing is as important as keeping you safe.
He gestured behind them, to the far side of the SUV, where the four-car garage housed a Corvette, Mercedes, and a Lexus SUV. “Take your pick. I have cars to spare.”
She looked over her shoulder. “You’d trust me with one of those?”
“Of course, I trust you.”
“I don’t know why.” Her eyes glanced upward. “Can’t you see this big cloud hanging over me?” She shook her head as he guided her toward the entrance. “I mean…my apartment catches fire, my grandmother has an accident and—” she faltered, then swallowed “—and dies, and my thorn-in-the-butt dad, well, we haven’t seen the best—or should I say worst—of him yet.”
He shrugged and ushered her inside. “I’ll take my chances.”
“Brave man.”
“Speaking of your father… You asked about a lawyer. I’ve called my friend Kianso and left a message. He’ll be returning my call.”
“That’s great.” They entered the kitchen. “Mmm. Something smells delicious.” Izzy yipped, and Emma held the animal tightly.
“Dinner.”
Emma glanced around. “Is it safe to put him down? What about your wolves?”
“They’re dogs.” Although he had bought them because of their wolf heritage. “I called Henry while I was waiting for you and had him lock the pair of them in my suite. So Izzy isn’t in danger.” He gave a half-smile, adding, “They wouldn’t hurt him regardless. They’re very obedient.”
She nodded but didn’t set the dog down, yet.
“I’ll show you to your room. It’s across from mine,” he said with controlled emphasis, and his heart clenched a little, totally wanting her in his room. In his bed. In his life.
Forever.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Venn worried over Emma as he went
downstairs and into the kitchen. Her energy level read as a glimmer, a meager wavy line.
“Is everything okay?” Henry asked.
“She’s exhausted, and rightfully so. She’ll eat dinner in her room.”
Venn explained what had transpired during the day while Henry went into action, preparing a tray for her. The butler even added a small bowl of water and food for Izzy. He passed the tray to Venn, who took it upstairs.
“Room service,” he murmured, knocking lightly on her door. “I know it’s late for dinner, but you need to eat.”
She opened the door and let him in. “Thank you,” she said, and followed him back into the room where he set the tray on a footstool that also served as a coffee table. Then she was right there with him, slipping into his arms and hugging him, resting her cheek on his chest. “You really know how to take care of a girl.”
He slid his hands up and down her back, aware of her tempting curves, aware of the protective tug in his chest, aware of the desire that gnawed at him. He separated from her with the same regret he always had at their parting. “Eat.”
As she sat and dug into the food, he took the bowl for Izzy and set it on the floor. “Henry will feed him more in the morning.” He scratched the pup’s ears.
Emma nodded and offered Izzy a morsel of her roast. “Thank you, again.”
“If you need anything, just ask.”
He smiled to her and left her alone to rest. He went to his room, instead, where he paced restless steps along the windows. Henry brought him dinner and left it on the coffee table.
“Sir, may I suggest you take your own advice and eat something?”
Venn nodded his thanks, then made his way to the tray of food, more to appease Henry than due to hunger. “I will be going out shortly. Please keep an ear open for Emma.”
Henry pressed his lips into a firm line. “Of course,” the butler said, and left.
Although Venn was certain the roast tasted superb, it could have been bark for all the attention he gave it. He cleaned his plate because he needed to feed his beasts, not for enjoyment’s sake, all the while tuned in to Emma across the hall.
Awakening Fire: The Divine Tree Guardians (The Divine Tree Guardians Series Book 1) Page 16
