by Aliyah Burke
She let him lead the way and he was glad. He didn’t think he could be behind her right now. Mate. The other half to him. He didn’t quite know how to process it. He’d been alone for so long. Yes, his siblings—most of them—had found love, but he hadn’t believed he would. He liked being alone. Thrived on it.
Explains the laughter in the old man’s tone. He stopped and turned in time to see her talking to others in the building. Smiling at children. Petting animals. He waited for her.
Low rise pants instead of shorts today, and a tight cotton-candy pink and blue shirt had him thinking just how long it had been since he’d been with a woman. He’d not felt stirrings like this in a while.
“Calida.”
She looked up at his mention of her name. “Bye, guys.”
“He’s hot, hon. Keep this one around.” One of the older woman chortled at her comment.
“I’m not looking for a man, Cherry. But I’ll keep it in mind.” Calida gave her a kiss on the cheek then hastened to his side. “Sorry. I forget sometimes and get caught up in chatting with everyone.”
He felt bad for rushing her on one hand but not on the other. He knew someone else would be coming for her. And now he knew she was his mate, he had to keep her safe. No matter the cost.
Her mood changed once they got on the street. She shrank into herself and she blended in. He’d not seen anyone do it so well. So she’s happy and cheerful with those she is comfortable with. Otherwise cautious. She kept looking around as well, never letting down her guard.
True to her word, it took them about twenty minutes to reach his truck. He was grateful to see it there with his things still in it. Wouldn’t do to have the cops take his vehicle. Holding the door for her, he stood close enough she had to brush against him to get into the truck.
His body came alive, much as it had when she’d cleaned his injuries. Behind the wheel, he looked over at her. “Where to?”
“You can just drop me off at the market near my building. I’ll be fine.”
“Drop you off?”
“I’m assuming you have something to do. I don’t want you to be kept from it because all of a sudden you think I need a vehicle to bring groceries back to my place.”
“Are you always so stubborn?”
“I don’t think of it as that but yes, I suspect I am.”
He bit back a snort and started the engine. Streets that had been packed with people for the festival were empty now. A few still walked around, but with the festival over, things had slowed back to how he recalled them from years ago. He slowed by the theater and almost pulled off to park when he saw yellow police tape around the place next to it.
“What happened there?” He pointed.
“I don’t know. I was in there the day before yesterday, I’ve not heard anything. But then, I didn’t go anywhere either. Sally will know if you truly wish to find out. She knows everything.”
Yes, he wanted to know. His bigger question, however, was why had Calida been in there? And did it have something to do with what he was doing here?
“Let’s get the groceries and go ask Sally.”
It didn’t take long before they parked at the market. She slipped out before he could go around and open the door for her. As she strode across the parking lot, he could still see the flames around her, only now it was more than just on her hair. They surrounded her entire body.
* * * *
Calida put away the last bag of groceries. He was watching her again. She knew it. She could feel it. If she hadn’t been so damn scared for him the other night, she would have drank until she forgot. Hell, she kinda wanted to do that right now.
“Okay, let’s go find Sally.”
Tiarnán fell into step with her as she made her way back to the front of the apartment complex where people sat talking and laughing. As they approached, the group fell silent.
“Who’s this?” Sally asked as she rocked in her chair.
It didn’t matter she was in her mid-eighties, everyone treated her respectfully and answered her questions.
“This is Tiarnán. A friend who came to the festival. Tiarnán, this is Sally.”
He offered his hand and they shook. Calida observed Sally’s face.
“You know,” Sally said, readjusting the afghan on her legs. “I knew a Tiarnán once. He grew up here. That boy was forever getting into trouble.”
Calida watched in shock as a wide grin moved his bow-shaped lips. Lord, he devastated when he smiled. Her heart pounded and her knees got more than a tiny bit wobbly.
“Not too much else happened, so I wanted to make sure you didn’t lose your skills as a court reporter. How are you, Ms. Sally?”
Wait? They knew each other? He’d lived here before? And got into trouble? Calida sat down on the step and watched the interaction between Tiarnán and Sally.
“Older, son. I’m older. How are you?”
“Fine, ma’am.”
Sally shook her head. “You turned into a wonderful man. Calida, keep this one. He may have been trouble but this here is one who’s definitely found his way in the world.”
“Keep him?” She flicked her gaze between them. “Like a pet? I’m not allowed to have them in my apartment.” A shrug. “Sorry.”
Sally smacked her arm and shook her head at her. “Smart mouth. This boy was in the courtroom more than he wasn’t.” She looked at Tiarnán. “I was afraid that one day the judge was going to throw the book at you and lock you up. I’d never seen you so disrespectful. I mean, you always had an edge but never had you been like that. Then I didn’t see you again and they said you’d gone to a home for—” She snapped her mouth shut, apology on her face.
Tiarnán picked it up where she left off. “I went to a home for troubled children. This one took and I grew up.” He didn’t seem embarrassed by what he’d gone through.
“You grew up all right.” Sally winked.
Everyone laughed, and Calida couldn’t help but agree. True, she hadn’t known him as a child, but this man before her was one hell of a specimen.
Crouching before her chair, Tiarnán asked, “What happened to the place next to the theater? We went by and there’s police tape all around.”
Sally sobered. “Poor Mrs. Chen was murdered.”
Calida gasped, hand flying to cover her mouth. “I was just there.”
Sally squeezed her fingers. “They don’t know what happened. Perhaps a robbery gone bad. What I heard was the place was trashed and she had…” She shook her head.
“Had what, Sally?” Calida readjusted so she was perched by the arm of the chair, her hand still holding her friend’s.
“Children, you get away now. Let me talk to them for a bit. Get some drinks and we’ll have a party in a few.”
The kids scattered and Sally looked back at them. “They said she’d been tortured before they finally killed her.”
Tiarnán stood with a curse and paced. Calida felt horrible. “Did they say when it happened?”
“I’d heard late afternoon. But let’s face it, Calida, I’m not exactly in the mix anymore.”
“I know, Sally. Thank you for helping.” Calida glanced up at Tiarnán. Fury was etched along his face. She’d seen the look before, right before he’d promptly saved her bacon.
The children came back with tables and food.
“I’ll bring something down. Be right back. Tiarnán, could you help me?”
Her question snapped him from whatever haze he’d been in, for he nodded and joined her as they returned up the stairs.
“You okay?” she asked once they were alone.
“No. I need to get in there and see the place.”
She snorted and unlocked her apartment. “Good luck with that. It’s a closed crime scene. Murder scene. I doubt the cops will want you there.”
“Don’t care. I’m going to take a look around.”
“Such a shame you’re not stubborn or anything.” Her words were muttered under her breath.
�
�What was that?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
She went to her newly stocked cupboard and withdrew some of the cookies she’d just gotten. Bending for a platter, she wondered how close he was to Mrs. Chen. After all, he had grown up here, for a while at least.
“Ask.”
She stood and began putting the cookies on the tray. “Ask what?”
“The question you’re trying not to.”
Seriously? Can he read me that easily? “Just curious to how well you know…knew Mrs. Chen.”
“Never met her.”
One box empty, she moved on to another. “Then why the need to see all that?”
“I was coming here to check on her for a friend. I owe him all I can tell him.”
“What happened that you didn’t get a chance to”—she whirled around and faced him—“you didn’t because you stopped to save me. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! I’m so sorry.” Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. “This is all my fault.”
He stepped close and gripped her upper arms. “This is not your fault.”
“It is. Because I was trapped in that alley and you saved me. Let’s face it, then I didn’t exactly help you when I sprayed you or chucked the container at your head.”
“Calida.” His tone firm. “This is not your fault. Believe me. I will need your help getting in to peek around, however.”
She worried her lower lip. “Okay, I’ll help you. I mean, what else can there be? In the past two days I’ve seen fire-breathing demons, men who can do things I never knew possible and you. Not quite sure what your thing is, but I’m sure you have one.”
He leaned down until their noses touched. “You can trust me on this, I definitely have one.”
Her insides quavered and she knew they’d changed subjects. His response was a sexual one. Her breasts grew heavy with want of his touch and her stomach clenched with anticipation.
“Grab the tray,” she managed to mutter.
“You got it.” He dumped the rest of the cookies on it and picked it up.
She led the way back down to where the party had grown. Music blared and children played. Calida smiled—this was what she loved about her place. They had fun and looked out for each other. Talking to others, she directed Tiarnán where to set the tray.
“Where are you two going?” Sally questioned. “Not staying to join us?”
“I forgot something at the market. We’ll be back in a few. Save some for us.” Calida waved as they walked away. “Great, now I’m lying to Sally.”
“I would have come up with something.”
She snorted. “I’m sure you would have. However, I want to be able to show my face around here again.”
His laugh had her skin tingling. Slanting her gaze at him, she took in the carefree way he looked. Those chiseled features invited her touch. I’ve never been so physically attracted to someone before where all I can think about is putting my hands on him. Preferably without him wearing clothing.
They got into his truck and she sank against the backrest. Something seriously had to be wrong with her. There were other things she should be focused on right at the moment.
“There’s a park not too far from the theater where you can park. That way we won’t be right in front of the place.”
“Sound plan.”
He fell silent, and she watched him from the corner of her eye. Each time they were in a darker space between lampposts he seamlessly blended in with the shadows. She couldn’t figure it out.
He parked, and she jumped out. He met her by the hood with a feral look in his eyes. The man was formidable, she’d give him that. He went to the back seat and got something out that fit in his pocket. She waited for him to finish. Determined not to ask questions.
Less I know, the better I’ll be when I’m sitting in the police station.
“Come on.”
At his issued command, she walked beside him. The night was warm and she inhaled deeply, loving the scent of the air. A compilation of the flowers in bloom and the man beside her. He smelled wild and free. That was the best way for her to describe it.
They reached the street and eventually the front of Mrs. Chen’s shop. Standing with her back to the tape, Calida kept an eye out. There was no one—the movie was playing so people were all inside, and the street was lined with vehicles. It worked in their favor—hopefully they were better hidden then.
“Calida.”
One final deep breath before she ducked under the tape he held and slipped inside the door he’d apparently picked the lock of. Unease slithered up her spine and she stepped closer to him. The only light was that coming in from the streetlamp. The place was trashed.
“What are you looking for?” she asked as he led her deeper into the shop.
“Answers.”
He sounded so final. So angry.
She stared at his back and frowned when her gaze began playing tricks on her. Tiny flames danced along his back and shoulders. Some hung from the ends of his hair while others moved along the strands.
I’ve lost it. She knew it was true because the sight before her didn’t scare her. Quite the opposite. It intrigued her. Tiarnán intrigued her.
Chapter Three
Tiarnán gazed around at the mess. Powders and glass covered the floor from shelves being knocked over. He stood still and used his power to try to locate the item he’d been sent to bring back to the vineyard. Nothing. He could sense a lingering trail of something but by all accounts, what he sought wasn’t here. Or it was extremely well hidden.
“This would be so much easier if I knew what to look for,” he mumbled.
“Can I help?”
The soft question from his left had him staring down to the top of her head. Calida. Right now, he had to keep a bit of distance from her or he’d have her stripped and being fucked against a wall. Or table. Most likely, given how horny she was making him, both.
“No, I just need to look around. Keep an eye out and shout if you see the cops coming.”
“Okay.”
He felt bad for pushing her away but he had to keep his focus. Scanning the room, he discovered where the signature was the strongest. Odd, it was by Calida. Correction. It was Calida.
“Lian. Mrs. Chen is dead. They got to her before I did. I am sorry.”
“And the artifact?” His mentor’s voice sounded frail and that more than anything scared him.
“I just gained entry to her shop. It’s not here. And the signature is the strongest over the woman I stopped to save. My mate.”
“What about her place? And congratulations on accepting that you’ve met your mate.”
“I never thought to check. I’ll do that when we get back. Can you tell me what this item looks like?” He didn’t respond to the other bit, it wasn’t needed.
Tiarnán expected another riddle. Something dealing with the sun, moon and stars perhaps. Or the mountains and rivers.
“I do not know.”
“Nothing in all your old texts which could give me a hint?”
“Follow the signature, it will lead you to that which you seek. Your mate knows something. She was the last to see Mrs. Chen before she died. Good luck.”
The connection ended and Tiarnán gripped the corner of the table he stood near. Gazing over his shoulder, he spied Calida sitting where he’d left her. Sure enough, intermixed with the flames was a light trail of gold dust. His animal strained and tried to get closer.
“Dracen?”
“Tiarnán. How are you doing?”
“What’s going on with Lian?”
“He’s taken to his bed. Pale and withdrawn. You need to hurry home.”
Sweat popped up along his brow. That didn’t happen, Lian didn’t get ill. Man was damn near untouchable.
“What happened?”
“Attacks have increased. These bastards are getting bolder. He was out with a group of kids when the last one came. Thankfully Aminta herded the kids back while Lian fought. He’s weak
ened and I don’t like it one bit.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She broke the communication, and he swore again. Whirling around, he stared at the woman who was his then strode to her side. She sat there, lower lip caught in her teeth and eyes fixated on the large window.
“Find something?” she asked without turning her head.
“Not going to ask why I don’t have to turn on any lights?”
“Nope. I’m not asking about the fire breathing freaks, what the hell happened out there, nor about this. I don’t want to know.”
“Liar,” he muttered in her ear. “Come on. I need to check her office.”
“I can wait here.”
“Want you with me.” Enclosing his fingers around her wrist, he took the decision from her.
After the door had been closed behind them, he flicked on a light. Calida gasped and turned her face into his side. He slipped an arm around her. Dried blood pools were everywhere. Whatever Mrs. Chen had been exposed to, it hadn’t been pretty.
“Who did this to her?” Calida stepped away from his embrace and glanced around.
While he was sorry she had moved, he was proud that she hadn’t shied away from what was before her.
“My guess is Gravett and more of his men.”
“What possible reason could Baldy have to do this to an old woman?” She covered her mouth with a hand. Her skin was slightly pale until she found a way to pull herself together. “If only she hadn’t pulled me into the shop maybe they would have ignored her and continued to chase me.”
“Then this could have been done to you.” Fury mounted in him at the mere thought of Calida’s blood draining as her life left her.
“They were chasing me, not her.”
“Why were they after you?” He moved to the desk and stood back, trying to see if Mrs. Chen had left any message. Although if Calida had been giving off the signs of being a mate, he knew why they would have been after her. It was a downside for the mates, demons and They could see those very signs and could use it to capture or kill a mate.
“Beats me. They’d been after me for a few days. Anytime I showed up in town. Took me longer and longer to get home because I didn’t want them to know where I lived.” She rubbed her arms. “It doesn’t make sense that they would be after me to lead them to her. I only spoke to her for the first time yesterday. Not like I had a lot of reason to come into a Chinese herb shop.”
