“Richard,” Malcolm added. “I’d like to expand the patrols farther into the mountains if you don’t mind. When we were there yesterday, I believe I picked up remnants of another signature, but I’d like to go back and double-check. It may only have been an echo of the Purists who attacked yesterday, but I’d like to be certain.”
“Of course. I trust all of you to do whatever is necessary.” Richard slapped him on the shoulder and handed his gun to Eric. “I won’t need this, and I doubt the vampires would appreciate it if I came into their territory armed.”
Richard uttered the ancient language and vanished in a rush of static electricity.
“I’ll be in the barn with Tatiana,” Dominic said. “I’ll let you know if she discovers anything else.”
“You want backup?” Eric asked. “Malcolm can handle patrol on his own for a while.”
“No.” Dominic shook his head but kept his gaze fixed on the barn. “You two do as the prince asked and patrol the property. Eric, why don’t you cover the main area, and Malcolm, you can shift into your eagle and get a broader view from the air.”
“You got it, boss.” Eric gave a small salute and headed down the gravel drive toward the cabins.
“Eric,” Dominic shouted. “Don’t keep information from me again. We’re a team, but we can’t do that if everyone’s not on the same page.”
Eric said nothing but nodded and waved as he went on his way.
“He was quite concerned about you and Tatiana,” Malcolm added quietly. “It has to be challenging for him, Dominic. He’s still unmated, and I’m sure he offered you the same space he would undoubtedly want for himself when the time comes.”
“He thinks it’s a challenge now?” Dominic scoffed and gave Malcolm a knowing look. “Wait until he finds his mate, then he’ll really know what a challenge is.”
“Truer words were never spoken.” Malcolm laughed loudly and slapped Dominic on the arm before handing him his rifle. “I won’t be taking this with me on my flight.”
Dominic took the rifle and slung it over his shoulder as Malcolm spread his arms wide, tilted his face to the sky, and whispered, “Verto.” Dominic watched as the air shimmered, and Malcolm shifted into the form of his golden eagle. He screeched loudly, and his yellow eyes glowed brightly as he stretched his wings wide, showing off an impressive six-foot wingspan.
Dominic gave him a look of approval as Malcolm pumped his enormous, bronze wings and shot into the sky like a bullet. He watched as his friend soared across the pale blue sky.
Don’t worry, Dominic. Malcolm’s voice, strong and steady, filled his head and put him at ease. I’ll keep you posted. He knew that between Eric and Malcolm, the property would be well-watched, and both men would spring into action without needing to be told what to do.
As he walked toward the barn, he glanced back over his shoulder, but Eric was no longer in sight, and one thing nagged at him. This was the first time Eric kept information from him, and Dominic wondered if there was more to it than he let on.
Did Eric really want to give him and Tatiana space, or did he question Dominic’s effectiveness? He stopped outside the stables as that sense of impending dread crawled up his back. Was it possible that Eric and the others believed he was no longer suitable to serve as Guardian?
Chapter 11
Tatiana sensed Dominic the instant he was nearby and found herself comforted. She smiled at him as he strode through the open doors of the stable, and her heart skipped a beat. Wearing his usual ensemble of a black T-shirt, camo pants, and boots, he was all muscle, bone, and sinew as he stalked toward her.
The man’s face was a mask of chiseled concentration, and he had a predatory look in his eye that made her wet and wanting. Images of his perfectly sculpted male body wrapped around hers flooded Tatiana’s mind. Blood rushed to her cheeks as memories from last night came roaring to life.
Dominic’s lovemaking had been both tender and savage. Driving her to tears with achingly gentle kisses one minute and then devouring her with unrestrained passion the next. His tanned, well-muscled arms that had been tangled up with her in bed were now draped with not one but two guns.
Tatiana’s smile faltered as the dichotomy of who Dominic was came vividly to life.
This man, who could be heartbreakingly tender, touch her and cherish her as though she was made of the finest china, was also a stone-cold killer. He was a predator capable of destroying his enemies in the blink of an eye. Any doubt about how dangerous he could be was extinguished when she watched him destroy the Purist in the mountains.
In that instant, she realized something as powerful as it was frightening. She was enamored with the sensitive, vulnerable man who snuggled babies, made her midnight breakfast, and bared his soul to her. However, she was also instinctively and irrevocably attracted to the dangerous, feral beast that would kill to keep her safe.
Man and beast. Lover and killer.
Tatiana desired both sides She didn’t simply desire him—she respected him. Maybe she even…
“The horses seem better.” Kerry’s voice snapped her from her thoughts. “Only one of them—Dover, the young stallion—hasn’t gotten his appetite back, at least not as much as the others. So, does this mean you’ll leave us soon and head to Oregon?”
“What?” Tatiana asked without taking her eyes off Dominic, who had stopped to speak with Dante. “I’m sorry. What did you say?” She laughed and looked back at Kerry, embarrassed she might have known what she was thinking.
“Are you going back to Oregon?” Kerry asked gently. Her large dark eyes crinkled at the corners as she adjusted her long, black ponytail. “Or might you be persuaded to relocate here?”
Tatiana’s heart thudded in her chest as the reality of that question hit her. She was going to have to choose. Either go home to Oregon or stay here with Dominic?
Nibbling her lip, she looped the horse’s lead line through her hands, as the question whipped through her mind. Tatiana felt torn, but when she locked eyes with Dominic the chaos swirling inside her stilled, like leaves settling after a storm.
Dominic moved toward her with a concerned look as his energy signature whisked through the thick summer air with hers. Tatiana sighed as it swathed her in a soothing embrace.
“I don’t know,” she whispered through trembling lips. “How am I supposed to make that choice? Leave everything I’ve ever known? My home, my practice…” She swallowed the lump in her throat and fought the tears that threatened to spill over. “Or leave him.”
“Can I give you a piece of advice from one freak-show half-breed to another?”
Tatiana nodded but didn’t speak because it would likely release the tears she was holding back.
“Don’t let fear stop you. Put everything else aside for a while and simply ask yourself how he makes you feel. I’m all for being an independent woman, believe me, but don’t let your need for independence turn into an excuse to push him away. I’m still independent, and maybe even more so, since I hooked up with Dante. The question really is: Will you be happier with him or without him?”
Tatiana looked to her left and latched gazes again with Dominic. Her heart raced faster with every step he took as Kerry’s question raced through her mind. Will you be happier with him or without him?
Everything slowed, and her heartbeat thundered in her ears as the veracity of that question settled over her. Tatiana Winters had done the one thing in the world she swore she would never do. She fell in love with an Amoveo man—the Amoveo man. She loved him.
“With him,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Tatiana dropped the lead line, ran down the hay-strewn aisle of the barn, and launched herself into Dominic’s embrace. She linked her arms around his neck and buried her face against his throat as she breathed in his distinct scent. He smelled like soap and a hint of sweat.
“Hey,” he whispered, his voice laced with concern. He stroked the back of her head as his other arm held her snugly. “Wh
at’s going on? Did you connect with the horse? Tatiana, you’re scaring me. Say something.”
Dominic pulled back. Setting her down on her feet, he cradled her face in his hands as his worried eyes studied her closely. Tatiana’s body trembled, and she pressed his hand to her cheek, struggling to find the right words. Finally, she settled on the three little words that she’d never said to another man. It made sense. Although she didn’t realize it, she’d been saving them for him.
“I—I love you.”
Dominic’s body stilled against hers. His eyes flickered and shifted into the glowing amber eyes of his clan, but he said nothing.
“Did you hear me?” She dropped her hands to his chest and worried his dog tags between her fingers, the cool metal soothing her and keeping her grounded in reality. She held his stare and said it again. “I love you, Dominic.”
Growling, he ducked his chin and rested his forehead against hers while holding her close. I love you too, Tatiana. The words whispered into her mind like a caress as he kissed the tip of her nose.
Tatiana popped up onto her toes and captured his lips, gently at first, savoring the feel of them. Her hands curled against his chest as he held her closer, and the kiss quickly grew in intensity. She linked her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss as the now familiar fire flickered over her skin.
The sound of people clapping captured their attention. Dominic broke the kiss and laughed as he placed a kiss on top of her head and hugged her close. Tatiana, her head on Dominic’s shoulder, caught a glimpse of Kerry and Dante, who stood behind them applauding loudly. She grinned at them before burying her face into Dominic’s neck and giggling.
“Bravo,” Dante said.
“Well played, kids.” Kerry gave her them two thumbs up and laughed as Dante stood behind her and swept his mate into a sweet embrace. “Now, you two will have time to play doctor later, but don’t we have funky psychic shit to take care of? Like creating a mental link with one of these gorgeous horses?”
“You ready?” Dominic asked. His hands slid down her back and rested at the top of her butt.
“As I’ll ever be.” Tatiana let out a shuddering breath and kissed the cheek with the scar. “I’ve got to get Obsidian. Don’t go anywhere, okay?”
“Not a chance.” Dominic smacked her butt playfully and released her from his strong embrace. “Let’s do this.”
***
Tatiana stood in the stall with Obsidian and whispered soothing sounds to the young mare while sending her gentle waves of reassuring energy. The doors of the stable were closed, and the other horses were out to graze. While it made the space thick with heat and humidity, Tatiana felt it could be distracting for both of them if there were too many equine energies in the immediate vicinity.
Kerry and Dante remained close by. If Tatiana had trouble making a firm connection, Kerry’s psychic ability might solidify it. They gave Tatiana some space and observed from outside the stall. Dominic, however, stood inside with Tatiana, and even though she thought it might make Obsidian nervous, she knew there was no talking him out of it.
Tatiana closed her eyes and stood in front of Obsidian with both hands laid gently over the jibbah on her forehead. Her gorgeous black coat was pure midnight and shone almost blue when the light hit it. The mare’s energy fluttered around Tatiana in pale lavender waves, calm and peaceful.
Sharpening her focus, Tatiana worked on finding that elusive tear in the ribbon of energy, the spot where she could slip inside and touch the carefully guarded soul of the gentle beast. As the connection deepened, Tatiana’s body felt heavy and cumbersome. She concentrated on riding her own energy wave as it merged with Obsidian’s. As the two swooped through the thick, summer atmosphere together, a crackle of bright, white light captured her attention.
Swimming within time and space, Tatiana whisked along, and with one final mental push, she slid through the crevice like a thread through the eye of a needle. Her body jolted, and her breath rushed from her lungs as the bond was formed.
Obsidian? Tatiana barely recognized her own voice as she linked her mind with the mare. Can you tell me who killed, Spirit?
Not who you think. The words surrounded Tatiana in a fog of muffled moaning sounds. Bad man. Pretender.
Who, Obsidian? The light around her faded, and the voice seemed farther away, but she was surrounded by a rushing noise. It reminded her of trying to hear the ocean in a conch shell—loud, white noise that was frustratingly indistinct. Obsidian, what is his name?
The light was sucked from her in a rush, like water swooshing abruptly down a drain. Blood pumped in her ears as her heart raced, and the mare’s short, bristly hair rasped beneath her fingertips. Tatiana gasped for air as the connection was severed, and Obsidian whinnied loudly as she reared back. Tatiana lost her balance and was knocked backward, but instead of slamming into the wooden wall, she landed safely in Dominic’s waiting arms.
Clinging to him, she fought to get her bearings as the psychic connection faded. It took her a moment to realize she was once again sitting in his lap in a pile of hay. Tatiana pushed her hair off her forehead as she caught her breath and saw that Obsidian seemed no worse for wear. The mare was in the opposite corner of the stall chewing on a carrot Kerry had given her.
“You okay?” Dominic asked. His face was etched with concern. “You were pretty out of it for a while. It’s like you weren’t here. I mean your body was, but your mind was somewhere else entirely. I tried to telepath to you, but there was nothing there. I have to be honest, that scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry,” she said through a short laugh. Tatiana held her hand to her chest, reeling from the unusual experience. “That was nuts, but it worked.”
“Dominic’s right. You were in pretty deep, and I know those intense mental links can really take it out of a girl. Are you okay?” Kerry asked. She hung both arms over the stable door and tossed Obsidian another carrot. “What did she tell you?”
“Anything useful?” Dante asked. He stood next to Kerry and glanced from Tatiana to the horse. “Did she see who shot Spirit and wrote that message?”
Obsidian’s words floated into her mind, haunting her. Not who you think… bad man… pretender.
“Tatiana?” Dominic’s grip tightened as he sensed the shift in her energy signature. His fingers curled around her bicep, and he stroked the bare skin on her arm gently. “What is it?” he murmured.
Tatiana looked from him to Dante, and dread crept over her. One of the men on the ranch was a traitor. She shook her head as she stood up and extricated herself from his grasp.
“Nothing useful,” she said without making eye contact. She brushed stray pieces of hay off her butt. “Just cryptic messages. I guess I’m not as good at it as I thought I was.”
“Hold on.” Dominic grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. “I can tell there’s something else. What is it?”
“It doesn’t make any sense.” Tatiana held his stare and licked her lower lip, glancing from Dominic to Dante. “There’s no way what she said could be correct.”
“What did she say?” Dominic asked slowly.
“She said that one of the men is a pretender. Not who you think he is. That’s what she said, but it doesn’t make any sense. I can’t believe that anyone on the ranch would do that.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve been betrayed.” Dominic’s expression darkened. “I never would have suspected my own sister of being a Purist.”
“Or my father,” Dante added quietly. Kerry rubbed his back with one hand as she leaned into him with a supportive smile. “We’ve all been betrayed at one point or another.”
“I don’t understand why she couldn’t tell me his name.” Tatiana let out a sigh of frustration and ran both hands along Obsidian’s side. The horse made a snuffling sound and butted Tatiana with her nose. “You’re really making me work for it, aren’t you?”
“Maybe she doesn’t know names,” Kerry said as she handed a lead line
to Tatiana. “She is a horse, after all.”
“I guess,” Tatiana murmured as she clicked the line to Obsidian’s harness. Dominic opened the stall door, and they all stepped aside as she led the graceful animal out of the stable. “I wish I could get her to tell me who it was, but the connection was broken too quickly.”
Tatiana patted Obsidian on the neck and unhooked her from the lead line, allowing her to roam freely in the field with the other horses. She smiled as four other mares trotted over to greet Obsidian, and a moment later, they galloped off together.
Dominic, Kerry, and Dante moved in on either side of Tatiana, and they all watched the animals in heavy silence. The one threat they’d truly feared had been confirmed. There was a traitor among them.
A cool breeze wafted over them, providing relief from the stuffy air of the barn, and Tatiana let out a sigh as she closed her eyes, reveling in the sensation.
“It may not be an Amoveo,” Dominic said quietly.
“Really?” Tatiana sliced a look in his direction and let out a short laugh. “Who else could it be? One of the other horses? Other than Amoveo, that’s all we’ve got on this ranch.”
Dominic’s brow furrowed, and he flicked a knowing glance to Kerry and Dante. The looks exchanged between them sent a chill up her spine because it gave her the distinct impression she was out of the loop. Tatiana stepped back with her hands on her hips and looked at each of them intently.
“What’s going on?” Her voice wavered. “Why do I feel like there’s inside info that I’m not privy to?”
Tatiana folded her arms over her breasts and arched an eyebrow at Dominic. He let out a slow breath, and his mouth set in a tight line. She could tell he was debating what to tell her, which pissed her off even more.
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