Jake stretched his arm out along the back of the booth and narrowed his eyes. “You saw the ritual in a dream?”
She nodded. “That’s why I decided to run. I knew it wasn’t happening live. I’ve had enough dreams to know the difference between real time and memory. But I was left with a sense of dread. Something was horribly wrong and I needed to get the hell out of there.”
“So you threw your stuff in a backpack and headed for your motorcycle, but Kyle grabbed you when you ducked around the corner.”
They’d already been through all this, so she just nodded. She was pretty sure he was thinking out loud anyway.
“What if ‘fight’ engaged rather than ‘flight’. The flash might have taken you to the source of danger rather than away.”
She scrunched up her forehead as she tried to follow his logic. “I took Kyle with me, but that wasn’t intentional.”
“I’m not talking about Kyle. The wolves didn’t find the cabin until after you’d flashed out, so there was no real danger at the time. Kyle was there to protect you. I have a feeling your Therian side knew that all along.”
“Where are you going with this?” She rubbed the bridge of her nose as a dull throb erupted behind her eyes. “What do you think the teleportation really means?”
His lips parted as if he would tell her and then he shook his head and chuckled. “I’m not sure yet. I think I’ve read too many spy novels or something. Just ignore me.”
She seriously doubted Jake had been ignored a day in his life. He had the kind of personality that would draw people to him even if he weren’t disgustingly handsome. “What’s an Omni Prime?”
He shifted his forearms to the tabletop. “I can’t believe I fell into that trap.”
“It wasn’t a trap. But the door’s been opened, so I want to know more. If it involves my sister, I have a right to know.”
“It’s a long, complicated story and Erin, Kyle’s mother, is the best person to tell you. She’s our Historian. It’s her job to keep all the facts straight. You’ll meet her tomorrow.”
“All right. A detailed history can wait, but tell me about my sister. What did the ritual do to her?” He just stared at her for a moment and trepidation sent a shiver down her spine. “Kyle told me Osric has the right to name my mate, but it’s more than that, isn’t it? Will I be expected to undergo this blood ritual? Am I an Omni Prime too?”
A slow smile curved Jake’s lips while speculation narrowed his gaze. “I guess we’ll run through the basic facts. The Omni Prime is a line of gifted females within the Therian nation. Their purpose is to balance the power of the male-dominated councils. They haven’t existed, at full strength, for hundreds of years, but the potential exists within your bloodline.”
“And Osric is desperate to control that potential power.”
“It’s not just Osric,” Jake stressed. “There are many who want to control the Omni Prime. Osric just happens to have the council’s backing because of the antiquated laws contained within the Charter.”
Even having glimpsed the ritual in her vision, the idea didn’t seem real. She felt as if they were talking about a movie or a graphic novel, something wild and unbelievable. “Carissa obviously learned about this potential and agreed to attempt the ritual.”
“Yes. With Quinn at her side, she felt safe and empowered enough to reclaim her rightful heritage.”
“Which brings us back to my original questions. How many of you participated in the ritual and what did it do to Carissa?”
“The ritual requires six.”
“This is why Kyle was so quick to make sure I understood definition doesn’t require sex. My sister didn’t sleep with anyone but Quinn.” She paused for a long, shaky breath, needing to remind herself that Carissa was safe and in the arms of the man she loved. She’d still feel a whole lot better once she’d seen Carissa for herself. “She just drank your blood.” Ava rubbed her eyes as her stomach tightened in protest.
“I know it’s hard to imagine, but I want you to know that Carissa made the decision for herself. Nothing was forced on her.”
Actually it wasn’t hard to imagine at all. She just closed her eyes and she could see her sister’s face, the passion burning in her eyes and the wildness in her expression. There had been an elemental hunger, a primal awareness Ava had shared for a second before her logical brain drew her back from the smoldering intensity. “Then she can shift into six different animals?”
“Your sister is still learning how to control her abilities. It will be years, perhaps decades before her full potential is realized. Historic Omni Primes could shift at will into anything they desired, but we’re honestly not sure what Carissa will be able to accomplish. The bloodline hasn’t been maintained as well as it should have been.”
“Can there be more than one Omni Prime or will I only undergo the ritual if something happens to Carissa?” Did she even want to undergo a blood ritual? Ava was firstborn, by all of eleven minutes, but firstborn nonetheless. Had Carissa… She shook away the doubt before it finished forming. They had never been competitive like that. For much of her life Carissa had been Ava’s only friend and vice versa. There was no way Carissa would have done something so underhanded.
“Generally there is only one, but you two are twins so the rules are a little different. Besides Erin wants to reestablish…” His head snapped up and his gaze went blank for a moment then worry darkened his expression. “Something’s wrong with Kyle. Come on.”
Without further explanation, he scooted out of the booth and hurried across the restaurant, leaving her little choice but to follow. She had to jog to keep up with his long strides, but his intense expression or some telepathic warning sent people scurrying out of their way. He took the stairs three at a time, a feat her shorter legs wouldn’t accommodate, and reached the bedroom several seconds ahead of her.
Jake had already crossed the room and was standing beside the bed by the time Ava reached the doorway. Kyle had returned to his human form and was sprawled on his back across the bed. The sheet was tangled around his hips, barely covering his groin as he thrashed and twisted in obvious delirium. Enya knelt on the edge of the mattress, doing her best to calm Kyle down. Much to Ava’s relief, the only thing Enya had removed was her high-heeled boots.
“He won’t accept my energy.” She panted. Her face was pale, features tense, arms shaking.
“Then how did he shift back?”
She shrugged, straightening enough to glare at her brother. “I don’t know. He roused long enough to switch, stumbled to the bed and collapsed. I’ve tried everything. I’ve narrowed the stream to a trickle, tried to sneak it past his sensors, and he still fights like I’m trying to poison him.”
“Maybe you are.” Jake’s sharp gaze shot to Ava. “You said he fed from you right before the soldiers found you. How far did things go?”
Heat suffused her face, but she refused to shy away. “Second base.” She couldn’t think of a less embarrassing way of explaining the situation.
Enya crawled off the bed and Kyle quieted. His breathing grew harsh and irregular, but he gradually stopped thrashing. “It usually takes more than that for a couple to sync.”
“But he’d healed her a couple of hours before,” Jake reminded. “His energy would have been all through her already.”
“What are you talking about? Did I do something wrong?” Tears blurred Ava’s vision and she wasn’t sure why. She was angry and she was terrified.
Jake placed his hand at the small of her back and Kyle made a growling sound deep in his throat. Snatching his hand away, Jake quickly explained, “Your energy mixed when he healed you and then again when you fed him. This might have triggered synchronization.” Jake motioned Ava closer to the bed. “What exactly did you feel when he—”
“Don’t be an ass, Jake.” Enya saved her from more embarrassment. “You know what she felt and this is all new to her. She’s not going to be able to decipher what did or didn’t happen. There’
s only one way to tell if they’re in sync or not.” She shifted her gaze to Ava. “Get on the bed and see if he’ll let you touch him.”
Ava crossed her arms over her chest, hiding her hardened nipples. Just thinking about what she felt when Kyle “fed” from her made her core melt and her skin tingle.
“He’s not going to bite you.” Enya was starting to sound impatient. “Didn’t you enjoy it before? Oh Creation, you’re not a virgin, are you?”
Without responding to Enya’s questions, Ava approached the bed. She reached for Kyle’s arm. She certainly hadn’t been this tentative in the woods, but she hadn’t had an audience then. Her fingers brushed Kyle’s forearm and he moaned. Then he rolled toward her and frantically reached out for her with both hands.
“Guess that solves the mystery,” Enya muttered. “You’re definitely in sync.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“It means you’re the only one who can feed him,” Jake told her. “At least for the next three months.”
She took a step back. “I don’t mind feeding him, but I’m still feeling a little woozy myself.”
“She’s right. We should saturate her and then give them some room,” Enya suggested.
They moved toward her with obvious intent and a weight dropped into her belly. A surreal haze wrapped around her brain and she suddenly wanted to scream. Yesterday she’d been curled up in front of a fire reading a trashy novel and now tiger-shifters were about to “saturate her” so she could feed the cougar-shifter who had saved her life. Yeah, nothing out of the ordinary in that.
Except her sister was now an Omni Prime, some sort of super shifter who had taken on the animal nature of six different men in an attempt to free her true potential. A potential that existed in Ava as well, if she was able to set aside reality as she knew it and embrace this strange new world.
“Are you okay?” Jake’s deep voice drew her back from her troubled thoughts.
“Sorry. I’m just a little overwhelmed right now.”
He carefully placed his hand on her shoulder and waited until she looked into his eyes. Kyle growled again and grew restless, but she kept her eyes fixed on Jake. “I’m generally a big picture type of person, but today might be an exception. Focus on one thing at a time. Kyle’s going to die if he doesn’t get energy now and you’re the only one who can give it to him. Once that problem is solved, we’ll move on to something else.”
She nodded and took a deep breath. “Good plan.”
Enya moved up behind her and Ava closed her eyes. Jake moved his hands to her neck, supporting the back of her head with his fingers while his thumbs pressed against the underside of her jaw. Enya pushed up Ava’s sleeves and clasp her upper arms. Skin against skin, as Kyle had said, Therian energy couldn’t pass through inorganic material. Tingling currents pulsed from their fingertips, warming and tightening Ava’s skin. She relaxed, trying to remain calm and open as her senses were bombarded with sensations and impulses. Her ears buzzed and her muscles twitched. Enya gripped her more firmly.
“Almost done,” Jake whispered.
Their hands were hot against her skin, their touch starting to burn. She drew air in through her nose and released it slowly through her mouth, trying to control her instinctive reaction to the growing discomfort. Kyle only needed energy because he’d healed her. She owed him this at the very least.
Jake released her head with a groan and stepped back. Ava quickly followed. “You have to get undressed. Energy can’t pass through—”
“I know.”
“If he’s too weak to arouse you—”
“Give it up already.” Enya slapped his arm then dragged him from the room by his sleeve. Jake’s grin was utterly unrepentant.
Ava pulled off her boots and faced the bed as she shed the rest of her clothes. Other than get naked and touch him, she had no idea what she was supposed to do. Was Kyle aware enough to help her? He’d perked up instantly when she touched his arm and reacted each time Jake touched her. Hopefully Kyle would stir again. She was ready and willing, but the able part had a long way to go.
Well, there wasn’t anything she could do to instantaneously change her skill level. She folded her clothes and set them on a chair, arranging her boots underneath. You’re stalling. Her inner voice could be such a bitch.
She blew out a shaky breath and focused on Kyle’s haggard face. This was medicinal. It didn’t matter that it felt a whole lot like having sex with a stranger. He literally needed this or he would die. With that thought fixed squarely in her mind, she crawled into bed beside him and carefully placed her hand on his shoulder.
* * * * *
Mary dropped her keys on the hallstand and released a tired sigh as she turned back to the front door of her apartment and rotated the deadbolt. Toulouse Tavern might be in one of the most beautiful locations in the region, but that didn’t make the work any easier. Her feet ached, her back… Alerted by something that didn’t belong, she paused and allowed her senses to sharpen and her claws to lengthen.
Everything was quiet and calm, but the faintest hint of dog hung in the air. Shit!
“Miss me?”
Recognizing Bruce Fitzroy’s deep voice didn’t help her relax. He might not be a stranger, but he was equally unwanted.
She drew indignation around her like a suit of armor and slowly turned around. He was little more than a silhouette in the darkness, but she glared anyway, hoping he could see her angry expression. “What are you doing here? You lost the privilege of coming and going as you please when you—”
He spun her back around and pushed her arms up as he pinned her against the door. His body contoured to hers and his fingers banded her wrists, keeping her claws away from his face. “I always come when I please, but I promise to take you with me.”
Their sexual encounters had gone on for several months almost a year ago. She’d been turned-on by his bad-boy looks and badass attitude, as well as the forbidden nature of sleeping with a wolf. But he liked it fast and rough, which was fine, some of the time. She liked a good wall banger herself—some of the time. But like a restaurant that only served one entrée, he became tedious and she’d found somewhere else to eat.
“Get out!”
“I’d rather get in.” He whispered the claim in a throaty tone that had once sent her pulse racing.
She slowly counted to three then scrambled for the quickest way to get rid of him. The last thing she needed right now was a yappy dog. “Bruce, I am not playing here. I’m really not in the mood.” He rubbed his erection against her ass and ran his hands up and down her arms. If she jerked out of his grasp, he’d take it as a challenge. She had to remain calm and unaffected by his touch. “I smell like a sweaty hamburger and I’m exhausted. Your timing couldn’t be worse.” A moment passed as he humped her back. She just closed her eyes and tried to ignore him.
Finally, he pushed off the door and growled, “What the hell is wrong with you?”
She turned around but kept the door at her back, not sure the battle was won. “I just worked a double shift. I’m dead on my feet.”
“So sit down and kick off your shoes. I’ll rub your feet.”
Tension spiraled through her belly and the hairs on the back of her neck bristled. Bruce was anything but romantic. In all the months they’d been together, he’d never once held a door or brought her a gift. “I’d rather take a shower and collapse into bed—alone. Besides, if Jake finds out you’re in Aspen, he’ll kill you.”
“I’m not afraid of Jake,” he sneered.
“I wasn’t inferring that you are. This is just a really bad time for you to come nosing around. Something big was going on tonight. Everyone’s on edge.”
His gaze narrowed with calculated interest and she recognized her mistake. He already knew or at least he’d suspected and she’d just confirmed his suspicions. Damn it. This is why he was in Aspen, why he was coming on to her. She forced her tired brain to focus. She couldn’t tell him any more. E
ven if she had to screw him to get rid of him, she would not endanger Ava.
He stalked forward and pressed one hand against the door. “Battle plans? Should I be summoning our fighters?” She wasn’t fooled by his casual tone. His cold hazel eyes revealed his determination. “What’s Jake up to now?”
“Our clan has no interest in expansion. You know that.”
“Then what had everyone ‘on edge’?”
She couldn’t un-spill the beer, but she could minimize the damage. Hoping her performance was more convincing than his, she shrugged and shook her head. “No clue. All I know is the tavern was seriously busy and everyone seemed sort of jumpy.”
He looked her up and down as she did her best not to squirm. Then his gaze iced over and he stepped back. “You’re right. You need a shower.”
Rather than reacting to the slur, she ushered him out then closed and locked the door. After offering a hurried prayer of thanks to any deity willing to listen, she dug her phone out of her pocket and called the tavern. The restaurant was closed, but the bar was still open for another few minutes anyway.
“Toulouse Tavern, good morning.”
Enya’s sarcasm made Mary smile. “Hey, it’s Mary. Tell Jake that Bruce Fitzroy is back in town and looking for trouble.”
Chapter Five
Hunger tore through Kyle, the sudden, tight spasm trapping his breath in his lungs. He shook, muscles twitching as his body burned. He prayed for a moment of relief, a random blast of numbness so he could gather energy or catch his breath. The blessed oblivion never came. Each cramp, each creeping urge drove the need deeper and made his pain more excruciating. The spasm released and he exhaled, the whoosh of air ending in a moan.
Warm fingers brushed his forehead, his temple, his jaw. “Kyle?”
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