by J. L. Madore
Riley looked up from the table and grabbed the trophy. “Is it the wolves? Are they here?”
“I think so.” Hannah couldn’t see how anyone else could’ve made it through the aftermath of the snowstorm. The roads would be closed for hours. She grabbed her gun off the coffee table and headed to the door. Before she went down the hall, she signaled for her sister to get to the corner. “If I tell you, run into the bedroom. Savage has his guns.”
“What about you?”
Hannah shook her head. “Do what you’re told.”
“Hello?” a woman said from the front porch. “Hannah? I got a text from Savage, asking me to join him here ASAP. Is everything all right? May I come in?”
Hannah’s head hurt. Savage texted someone one minute ago. This Flashing stuff boggled her brain. Still, if he wanted her here, he had a reason.
The metal of the chain slid in its channel as she unlocked the door. The woman on her snow-covered porch stood tall and stunning—a full-figured redhead with piercing, emerald green eyes met her scrutinizing gaze with an easy smile.
“Hi, Hannah, I’m Jade. It’s lovely to meet you.”
Hannah looked down at her Colt, aimed and loaded, and felt heat creep across her cheeks. “Sorry.”
Jade shrugged. “Better to be safe. Besides, if Sav’s calling in reinforcements, you must’ve had quite a wild twenty-four hours. He asked me to secure you, your sister, and Cowboy’s mother?”
“You know Waylon too?”
Jade smiled, unzipped her coat, and slid it off her shoulders. “Know him and love him, yes. He’s been part of my family since you saved him, and he needed a home. Thank you for that, by the way.”
It warmed her to know that not everyone Waylon hung around with looked like an escaped convict and got into bar fights for fun. Though, she had a feeling that despite Jade’s beauty, she could handle herself in a fight.
Hannah realized she was staring. Rattled at how sideways her life had gone, she led the way into the house and stepped into the kitchen. She gestured to Riley in the corner. “My sister, Riley.”
“Hey, Riley, nice to meet you. I’m Jade. Savage asked me to look out for you guys. You doin’ okay?”
Riley nodded. “Werewolves are after Hannah. Did you go to Hogwarts with Savage? He said it’s all a big secret, but he trusts us to know. So, you know . . . you can tell us things.”
Jade’s smile grew wider still. “Well, if Sav trusts you, that says a lot. And yes, I was raised and trained at the Academy of Affinities as well. My adoptive father, Reign, runs it and I teach there.”
Before Riley started talking about enrollment, Hannah shifted the focus to the wolf curled up in front of the fireplace. “By what Savage said, I think Myra should’ve been awake by now. Are you a doctor?”
“Of sorts.” In a bulky cable-knit sweater and jeans, Jade didn’t look like a doctor. She looked like a model in a sexy Harlequin commercial for curling up with a good book on a cold afternoon.
Jade rubbed her palms together and knelt beside Myra’s sleeping wolf form. After a moment, she started singing an enchanting song in a language Hannah had never heard before. Something about the perfection of the melody eased her anxiety and made her limbs feel heavy.
Wrapping herself in the soothing effect, she returned her attention to the counter. The coffee finished percolating, and she needed a cup or two to get her mind working. She busied herself setting out the mugs and cream, milk, and sugar.
When Jade finished examining Myra and straightened, her easy smile wasn’t so easy anymore. “Where’s Savage?”
Hannah focused on pouring two mugs with her left hand and not spill it on the counter. “He was injured and wet all night. He’s resting now, with a high fever. Do you need to wake him?”
Jade shook her head. “In a moment. He pushes himself too hard. Let him rest. There’s nothing he can do anyway.”
“That doesn’t sound good. What’s going on?”
Jade held up one finger and dialed up a contact on her phone. “Hey, Bree, I need you here with your kit . . . Some kind of poison . . . Cowboy’s mother.” Jade frowned. “Yeah, I hear you, but I need you to look past that . . . ’Kay, thanks. See you in a few.”
A few? Were Waylon’s family reinforcements all able to Flash wherever they liked at will? “Myra’s poisoned?”
Jade nodded. “I believe so, yes.”
“Will she live?”
Jade shrugged. “If anyone can track the poison and find a treatment, it’s Bree.”
“Waylon should be here.”
Jade accepted a mug of coffee and sipped it black. “He and my brother are at a big Were summit in Africa. There are no interruptions and no access to them until tomorrow. Until then, we’ll have to handle things ourselves.”
A Were summit in Africa? “I’ve wondered for years who Waylon was now, and what his life was like. It sounds like he’s done well for himself.”
Jade smiled. “Cowboy is a happy, respected, and skilled member of the Were community, a loyal soldier, and brother to many of us. He’s also a newly mated husband and looking forward to building a family of his own.”
Hannah poured the milk, studying the surface of her coffee until it turned the perfect mocha brown. “I’m glad. Really glad. When Savage was here last time, I didn’t know Waylon sent him. I’ve never known what happened to him.”
“Savage was here before?”
She nodded. “When my father passed, three years ago, I left a message at the only number I had for Waylon. A few days after the funeral, Savage arrived to help on the farm. I didn’t put the two things together until this morning. He just knocked on my door, said he was passing through, and needed the work. It was hard for him to find work unable to speak. He told me his name was Steve.”
Jade straightened, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Steve? And you bought that?”
Hannah laughed too, finally able to see the humor in that. “I was in a weird place. My daddy was the beating heart of this ranch and after he passed, I wasn’t sure I could make a run of it without him. I knew Waylon would want to know.”
“They were close, Cowboy and your father?”
She nodded. “He worked here every summer as a part-time hand. Daddy always said Waylon was strong as a bull with the temperament of a playful calf.”
“Nothing has changed there.”
Hannah set down her coffee, her hand aching. “Anyway, when Daddy died, it was smack in the middle of harvest, and everyone for miles was busy in their own fields. I needed help and Savage rescued me. I just didn’t realize it was all a lie.”
She tapped a few more pain tablets onto the counter and was about to take them when Jade touched her hand.
“In our world, to survive, we hide things. To keep things simple for innocents, we hide things. Try not to take that too personally. Savage is a hard man to get a read on, but he’s here because he wants to be. He asked me to help, so here I am. We’re family, and you saved Cowboy’s life, so you are family by extension.”
Hannah didn’t know what to think about that. “I don’t even know why I need help. Why did the wolves kill Jessop and Jed? Why is Myra poisoned? Why try to kill me?”
Jade shook her head. “That’s what we need to find out. Until then, Cowboy’s mother isn’t the only one who’s been assaulted. Let me help you with this.”
Jade peeled back the wrap on Hannah’s wrist and removed Savage’s splint. When she began to sing again, the contact of skin-to-skin tingled, soothing Hannah’s ache immediately. Two minutes later, Jade stepped away.
Her arm was healed, and the sensation of serenity held strong. What did a doctor “of sorts” mean?
“What language is that song?” Riley asked, her smile bigger than any she’d worn since coming to the farm almost three years ago. “’Cause I’ve never heard anything like it.”
Jade flipped her long, red hair behind her shoulder and smiled. “It’s an ancient Elvish ballad. Singing enhances my gift of magica
l Bard healing.”
“Ohmygod, that’s so cool.” Riley rushed over and stared at my wrist. “Is it really fixed, Hannah? You’re not shitting me, right. She did just magically heal your wrist, right?”
Jade winked, and pressed a straight finger to her lips. “You said you get to know things and can keep a secret, right?”
Another knock interrupted Hannah’s jumbled thoughts. She glanced toward the front hall, not sure she could take much more. Chief barked and raced to greet their next guest.
Jade patted her shoulder and winked. “I’ll get that. You take a sec for yourself.” A moment later, Jade returned with a shorter, athletic woman with gunmetal gray eyes and dark brown hair. “Riley and Hannah, this is Bree.”
While Jade’s smile was warm and genuine, Bree seemed to size her up.
“Bree is Waylon’s mate, and a talented biochemist.” Jade pointed to an empty spot on the counter for her to put her equipment. “Let’s see what can be done for Cowboy’s mother, shall we?”
“I still think we should let her rot,” Bree said, her scowl as harsh as her words. “We should pull out and let the members of the pack kill each other off. It’s all they’re good at. Cowboy washed his hands of them long ago.”
Jade didn’t seem fazed by Bree’s rant. “If Cowboy ever changes his mind, it will be easier for him to settle things with his mother if she isn’t dead.”
Bree set a large case on the counter and unclicked the locks. When she flipped back the lid, she exposed a fancy microscope. “Where’s Sav?”
“Down and out,” Jade said, setting a black duffle on the floor beside Bree. “Hannah, may I go check on him? Maybe I can get him back on his feet so he can join the fun.”
If there existed people who turned into wolves, and women who healed broken wrists, what other wild and unexplainable things did Savage’s world hold? Hannah pointed down the back hall toward the bedroom. “He’s in the master. Last door on your right.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The next time I woke, it was to the gentle brush and tingle of fingers touching my forehead. Normally, I would’ve stiffened, raised my defenses, and readied for battle, but I recognized the subtle charge of Jade’s magic and the scent of bergamot her skin gave off during healing. I forced my heavy-lidded eyes open and spoke directly into her mind. Hey, Blaze.
“Hey, Blaze?” She popped a health-tab into my mouth and tipped a glass to my lips while I swallowed. “You don’t write. You don’t call. All I get are dumbass excuses from Kobi and Reign about you taking on every entry-level mission coming across the board. Then, I find you burning up and bleeding in a human woman’s bed? What’s a girl to think?”
Maybe I stayed away too long.
“Maybe?” She leaned forward, the crease between her eyes no longer hidden by the fall of hair. “We all adjusted to life’s meaning without the Scourge, Sav. You’re the only one who bugged out and never came home.”
I deserved that. Honestly, I missed living in Jade’s mansion and seeing her every day. Missed the loud dinners with too many nosy opinions. Missed hitting the mats each morning with my fellow warriors to keep sharp and honed.
I missed my family.
With a scowl firmly locked in place, she pulled at the edge of the sheets. “What are we dealing with here because aside from fatigue and a flu, I also sense an infection?”
I held firm on the Egyptian thread count. Just a chill, a wolf scratch, and a stab wound. I’m good. I called you here for Hannah’s safety, and to keep her away from Cowboy’s mother.
Jade waited, brow raised, her emerald eyes so much like Castian’s. “Humor me. It’s been months since I’ve seen you and I’m feeling motherly since I had the twins.”
That was all the protest I had. I released the death grip on the sheets and let her have her way. Normally, I patched myself up and kept going. A Talon warrior Timex—I took a shit kicking and kept on ticking.
Except, sometimes, I liked a little of Jade’s TLC.
She was the only woman, other than Hannah, who touched me with love. Not in a sexual way, but with warmth. Long before we found out we were cousins, before we fought together for more than a decade, before she knew me well, she cared. That meant a lot.
Jade scowled at the blood, both wet and scabbed, covering my side. Drawing an assessing touch across the bite and the stab wound from earlier, she sighed. “This hasn’t been an easy twenty-four hours, has it?”
I chuckled. When is it ever?
Jade’s hands warmed my skin. She released her healing powers, and I closed my eyes and rode the wave of calm and tingly. “Castian told me he returned your powers to you. You could heal this yourself.”
Zo said the same thing. I haven’t unlocked them. Not sure I want to.
“Because of the woman?”
Partly. She likes simple. Cattle. Ranch. Family. But more so, it’s about me.
She continued the healing, and the tissue on my hip knit back together. “You are who life made you. I get it.”
I knew she would.
“What about your voice? That might be one thing you want to reclaim.”
What’s wrong with who I am?
She finished with the touch healing and laid a hand over mine. “Not one thing, but I know how limiting it can be for you. It’s a barrier most people don’t understand.”
Or don’t care to.
Jade expression gave no indication of what she thought about that either way. “You’d likely need physical therapy and healing for your vocal cords. I’m here for you if you ever decide to try.”
I focused on the wallpaper covering the far wall. Jade never ceased to wheedle her way behind my lines of defense. The only thing that made it tolerable was that she did that with everyone and she would never betray any of us.
I’m sorry I haven’t met your babies. I’ve been . . . Busy wasn’t the right word. Neither was lost.
“Searching?” Jade said, her knowing gaze so damned disarming. She cupped my jaw and made me look at her. “You’ll find whatever it is. I have no doubt. Just promise that in the meantime, you won’t forget where you belong.”
I promise.
She leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “Good, because I love you and miss you. Come home.”
Movement brought my attention to Hannah standing at the door, my jeans folded in her hands and her mouth hanging open. She stared at me lying naked on the bed, and the intensity of her gaze had my body waking with all kinds of big ideas. I pulled the sheet over my hips before I embarrassed myself in front of Jade.
“Feeling better, I see,” Hannah said.
Thanks to the TLC from my two favorite females.
Jade blinked, likely surprised at the declaration, but I didn’t care. Being the aloof, broody male was tough work, and I was tired. From now on, I’d say it loud and proud—these were my girls. My cousin. My mate.
It sounded autocratic to call Hannah my mate—and maybe I lived with the Weres too long—but she was mine. I needed to convince her to give me a second chance.
Hannah’s jaw flexed as she flung the jeans at the bed and turned on her heel. Her ass swayed as she took her exit and I loved the show of swagger. Man, she fired me up.
“Uh-oh, you better get dressed and go after her,” Jade said, barely holding back a smile.
Why? Where the hell is she going?
Jade laughed, handing me my jeans and boxers. “Here you are, naked, with me kissing you and telling you I love you. I think she got the wrong idea. My guess is, you’ve got some explaining to do.”
You think she thinks . . . you and me?
Jade’s smile grew wider. “I do. And if it holds any weight, I like her. She’s got spunk.”
I pulled my bottoms on, the lumpy socks off, and grabbed my weapons. The shirt I had on earlier was on the dresser and I grabbed it on the fly. I jogged out to the living room, the health-tab Jade gave me working wonders to return my strength and vitality.
Bree straightened from her microscope as
I passed the kitchen. I hadn’t known she was there but didn’t have time to find out why. Where’d Hannah go?
“Stormed out the door muttering something about Steve being an asshole. Who’s Steve?”
I stomped my feet into my boots and tore out into the blinding glare of the winter wonderland. It wasn’t hard to find her. Hannah’s tracks dragged through the pristine, three-foot drifts and led me straight to the barn.
I found her in fine form. With a pitchfork in her hands, she tossed straw into the pens like a whirling dervish. I kept to a safe distance. I might be brave enough to face Scourge Raiders and evil sorcerers, but a furious Hannah armed with a pronged weapon was a danger to be respected.
I signed, but she refused to look. Banging my rings on the metal rail of the cow pen did nothing but annoy the cattle. Instead of getting up in her grill, which was my go-to instinct, I took another tack. I grabbed a shovel and started cleaning pens while I waited—not so patiently.
Huh, look at me rocking the long game.
It didn’t matter how many stalls I mucked or how many bags of feed I carried, I wasn’t going anywhere. If I needed to start back at square one to build and earn her trust, I’d do it by working alongside her, the same way I did three years ago, when we first fell for each other.
“Just go. I don’t need you here,” she said, hosing down the long water trough that ran the length of the barn wall.
No, you don’t want me here. Not the same thing.
“You should be in bed, not sweating in a barn.”
I’m good . . . all fixed up.
She glared, holding her arm up and pivoting her wrist. “Just what kind of doctor knits broken bones given ten minutes and a song?”
A gifted one?
She rolled her eyes. “I get that the reality of things aren’t what most people think. I learned that the day my boy-next-door crush collapsed at my feet and turned into a wolf.”
Well, that was new intel I could have done without. Picturing her sitting on a fence rail, gazing at Cowboy, shirt off, glistening in the summer sun, was a hit to my ego, but that wasn’t her point.
Seeing him shift opened you up to our world but it’s far more complicated than that.
