“Are you going to make me stand outside all day?”
She opened the screen. “You can join Cad and I for breakfast. He’s cooking.”
The fragrance of frying bacon and bread toasting greeted him. “You two appear to be getting on well,” Garth said, sensing the rapport between them.
“For the present,” Cad said. He winked at Rae.
“Yes. Don’t get to sure of yourself,” she agreed.
“Well, I might just blow everything to smithereens,” Garth said.
Cad glanced away from the bacon to stare at him. “You’re going to tell her?”
“Her, Mitch, and Daren. I brought the scrolls. They might as well read them after my disclosure.”
“What are you two talking about?” Rae asked.
“We’ll talk after breakfast. I’m starved. What I have to say can wait a few more minutes.”
Rae picked at her food. She kept looking at him with suspicion in her eyes, but waited until he put his fork down before speaking.
“This is about the secret Mitch said you were hiding.”
“Yes. But I want to tell you first before I talk to your brothers.”
“Why?”
“Because it affects you and me the most.” Garth pushed his empty plate to the side.
“Do you want me to stay?” Cad asked him.
“Most definitely. We’re going to be a unit as her husbands. The three of us will have to handle problems together over the years. We might as well start now.”
“I have not said I’ll marry you,” Rae reminded them.
Garth ignored her statement. “The reason the third tribe separated from the other two is they were ordered out. We were to go on our own, ostracized from our people.”
“Why? I can’t imagine our Priestess or elders condoning such treatment.”
“Your brothers and Priestess may do just that after hearing my story. Let me begin at the first, centuries ago.
“Our tribe had traveled a few miles away from the main group. They met a clan of people called gypsies. We were fascinated by their beauty and cleverness. A number of our single men married some of the women and we settled in that spot. We still kept up communications with the other two tribes. The other leaders visited, but they were not as taken with the gypsies as we were and their visits became less frequent.”
“And you know all of this from stories told through the centuries?” Rae asked.
“No. It was all written in the scrolls in detail, especially after the split. To continue, after the first year a child was born. There was much joy between the third tribe members until the child walked.” He stopped and took a swallow of water. “This is the difficult part for you to understand and accept. This child was playing one day and a wolf had come close to the wagons. The father started to grab his child. His wife held on to him. ‘The wolf will not hurt him. Watch.’
“The animal came closer and sniffed the boy’s fair hair. He growled in his ear, and the boy looked into his eyes.”
Rae was hanging on his every word. His heart sank, knowing how her expression would change when he told her the rest.
“In the blink of an eye, the child changed into a baby silver wolf. The baby wolf and adult wolf played in the sand in front of the mother and the stunned father. Our people were shocked and worried. A number of other wives were pregnant. Suddenly, right in front of us, the gypsy men changed into various animals, white leopards, eagles, a silver wolf, and other various species.”
“Only the men changed?”
“Yes. They said it was extremely rare for a woman to be affected by the abnormal gene. If one was she was held in the highest esteem, and when she married her children would be very gifted.”
“And some of you are shape-shifters?”
“You’ve heard the word?”
“I read extensively about all types of unusual occurrences. I’ve never believed shape-shifters existed.”
Garth blinked his eyes, and shape-shifted into his white leopard. “Do you now?” He sent her the unspoken question.
Rae jumped out of her chair. Cad came to her side. “It’s Garth. He won’t hurt you. Touch him.”
Rae stood still when Garth came close to her in his animal form. She stared at his face and Garth hoped she’d recognize him by his blue eyes. He brushed against her side.
“Touch him,” Cad said again. At her hesitation, Cad took her hand and put it on Garth’s back.
“His fur is soft as down.” Her fingers rubbed along his body. Garth growled his approval, causing her to jump back.
“It’s all right. He likes what you were doing,” Cad reassured her.
* * * *
Rae’s heart was pounding with fear and confusion. She couldn’t believe her eyes, but she’d touched him. She’d heard his thoughts in her head. He brushed his body firmer against her hip and purred.
“Are you going to change into a wolf or something?” she asked Cad.
“No. My family was not affected. They didn’t intermarry. Only part of the tribe had married the gypsy women. The ones of us who didn’t shape-shift could have stayed with the other two tribes. Our ancestors chose to keep the third tribe together. Over the years, the shape-shifters have become our greatest asset when trouble occurs. They are the strongest warriors.”
Fascinated, in spite of her fears, Rae touched Garth’s fur again. She knelt beside him. He turned his large head and nudged against her neck and face.
“Put your arms around my neck. My leopard will never hurt you. Show you believe me.”
“You’re asking for trust very soon.”
“I am.”
She stared into his eyes and then put her arms around him. The leopard was warm. He snuggled his snout against her neck. Cad got on his knees beside her. His hand touched her back and she trembled between them.
“Enough.” Cad helped her up, and Garth suddenly appeared in human form, fully clothed as he’d been.
“How did you do that?”
“It took us hundreds of years to learn to fully control our animal and to be able to change and shift back into our clothes. Of course we have to be in the same vicinity, otherwise we’re naked when we reappear.”
“My head is spinning. I don’t know what to think, but I’d better call our Priestess and her husband. They’ll need to be with my brothers when you expose your secret.”
“Do you think they’ll reject us again?” Cad asked.
“I have no idea. I’m not even sure where I stand with all of this.”
Garth frowned. “I hoped you, of all of your tribe, would be more open minded.”
“I’m shocked. Give me time to process something so totally unexpected. Although I saw you change, it’s still hard to believe.”
“She’s right, Garth. Cool your frustration. You still have a lot of other people to convince.”
Rae called Elle. “Meet us at Mitch’s. You need to hear what Garth has to say. We’re going over in a few minutes. Hurry.” She clicked her phone shut and then called Mitch. “We’re heading your way soon. Garth is here.”
Chapter Nineteen
They met downstairs in the office, protected from any intrusion. Garth stood and Mitch, Daren, Rae, Elle, Pruet, and Cad gave him their full attention.
“First, I want to give you these missing scrolls.” Garth handed them to Elle. “With them you’ll learn more about our people and the past.” Then he told them the surprising information he’d given Rae. At the end, he shape-shifted.
Cad and Rae got up and stood at his side. “He won’t hurt you,” Rae said.
“How long have you known?” Mitch asked her.
“I just found out before we came here.”
Daren looked at Garth’s eyes. “This is why the tribes split.”
“Yes,” Cad said.
In a second, Garth shifted back. “You may not want us to live here after we vanquish the enemy. We’ll leave if you want us to. But for now we need each other, and our being able to shape-
shift will be to all our advantage.”
“Can you be killed when you’re shifted?” Pruet asked.
“We can be injured, but we heal quickly,” Garth said. “It takes a sword directly into our heart to kill the leopard and the man. Each animal is different, but there is a way for each to die. When shifted, we are faster, stronger, all our powers are exaggerated.”
Mitch and Daren glanced at each other. Elle had opened the scrolls, eager to read their history.
“Elle, how long will it take for you to at least glance through those?” Mitch nodded to the dozen scrolls in front of her.
“I can glance through them tonight. But I’ll miss some information.”
“Go now and get started. Call me if you find something different from what Garth has said.”
Irritated, Garth shifted. He growled. Mitch had stood, and Garth’s sleek body headed in that direction. He stopped in front of Mitch and growled again. Daren and Pruet had jumped up. Mitch warned them to stay away.
“This is between Garth and me. It’s a matter of trust.”
“Trust? Let’s see how much you trust me now.” Garth sprang and rested in his large paws on Mitch’s shoulders. His head butted the side of Mitch’s. Mitch didn’t move.
Springing back to the floor, he paced in a circle around Mitch. He sniffed his shoes, his teeth pulled at his pants leg, then wrapped around part of his leg. Mitch took his cooled cup of coffee and threw it on the leopard.
Garth growled. He struggled briefly to bring his animal side under control.
Daren frowned, ready to jump. Tension was thick in the air. So quick, Garth knew they never actually saw it happen, Garth changed and stood eye-to-eye in Mitch’s face.
“That was a dangerous test. I had difficulty holding myself back from biting your leg in half.”
Mitch didn’t respond. The two glowered at each other.
“You’re one brave man,” Garth said. He grinned and put out his hand. A sigh of relief went through the others when Mitch laughed and hit Garth’s shoulder.
“Not really. I trusted you not to go too far.”
“Even when provoking me?”
“It was a good time to find out how much control you really have. I’m impressed.”
This time it was Garth who was taken by surprise. “You knew I’d never do anything with your people here to protect you.” He negated Mitch’s explanation.
“Shall I have the others leave and we can do that again without the audience?”
“You really trust me?”
“I do. We need to work together and to be successful, trust each other. It’s the only way to beat a formidable foe.
“By the way, when are you two marrying my sister?” Mitch glanced at Rae. “A wedding will help solidify our tribes.” He put his hand on Garth’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t have voted to send your tribe off. But I believe our ancestors feared shape-shifting because of what was happening on the home planet. They may have thought you were part of the enemy.”
“I’ve long thought the same,” Garth said. “The wedding is a great idea. Our main problem is Rae won’t say yes.” He grinned in her direction. Her face was a bright red. “But we’re working on her.”
“Good. It’s time to eat. Our cook will have a good meal ready for us,” Mitch said.
Elle and Pruet stood. “We’ll go on home. I’m anxious to read the scrolls,” Elle said.
Mitch put out his hand. “Please stay a little longer and work with Sara and Rae to help them create a stronger shield.”
“All right, I’ll go upstairs and start working with Sara,” Elle said. She and Pruet left the room.
“Before we leave, we need to talk about our plans to protect the tribes,” Daren said. “There hasn’t been another attack since the plane. I think we’ve thrown them off. We let the news out that your people and equipment were flying in cargo planes to the ranch starting two days from now.”
“Hopefully all your trucks will be here by then,” Mitch added. “Tell them to leave at the same time this evening. They’re to drive straight through, and keep together. Once the first truck gets here, whoever is relaying information will know they’ve been fooled.”
“I’d told our people differently,” Garth said. “But since you’ve given out information to fool the enemy, I think this idea is best. Can I call on my cell from this room?”
“Use this phone.”
Mitch handed him the receiver of a phone attached to the wall. Garth punched in the number and spoke to his Lieutenant. In the background he heard the conversation.
“You have no idea who the traitor is?” Cad asked.
“None. He or she has to be a person we trust. I’m not sure where to start.” Daren paced the room.
“We’re almost certain who your traitor is,” Mitch said. “The one who helped in the dining room and also answers the phones when needed.”
Garth finished his call quickly and joined the others.
“I deliberately whispered fake information to Daren. We had our men watching him. He found a chance when he relieved the woman at the desk for dinner. She’d barely left when he called and relayed the fake facts. One of our men heard him.”
“He’s the same one we suspected,” Garth said. “I’ll call Lann. We’ll lock him in the underground jail. The men staying behind will guard him. One traitor is down and yours to go.”
“Rae, I’d like you to continue to meditate. You might gather more information,” Daren said. “I wish you could meditate down here.”
“It wouldn’t work. I have to be open to let information in. These walls would stop my powers. I’ll use my golden shield. It isn’t as thick. When Elle shows me how to make a stronger shield, I’ll be more protected.”
“Cad and I will be in the next room from Rae,” Garth said. “If there’s any trouble we’ll handle it.”
“Good idea, Garth. Mitch and I will do the same for Sara. Let’s go upstairs and eat.” Daren walked beside Garth to the elevator. “I do a little photography. When this is over I’d like to take pictures of your cat.”
“I’ve seen your work around here. You’re a very talented photographer. I’d be honored.”
“Good.” Daren slapped Garth on his back as the door opened on the main floor.
Elle met Rae at the elevator. “I’ll take you to the study where I left Sara. We’ll work together.”
The men waved and walked on toward the dining room.
* * * *
When they returned to Rae’s house after dinner, Rae led Garth and Cad to her meditation room. “I’ve changed my mind. I want you both to go in with me. We’ll sit in a circle with our knees touching. Close your eyes and clear your mind. You both are able to speak to me telepathically. If I see anything, hopefully you will, too, and you may be able to sense or see who’s sending messages to me. Then, afterward, the three of us can compare notes.”
Cad and Garth followed her inside and sat cross-legged as she’d suggested. “Don’t try to speak with me when I’m meditating. I’d like for them to think I’m alone.”
“We won’t interfere unless this person or thing tries to harm you,” Cad said.
“Good.” Rae got up and closed the door. She lit several candles in the four corners of the room and sat back in her spot. “Close your eyes,” she whispered.
Rae took deep breaths and hummed a soft flutelike note. She let her body relax. Then she put up her gold shield with the second layer as Elle had taught her and Sara. Finally, she opened her mind.
She saw darkness, except for a few stars. Her body floated on a warm breeze. For minutes, nothing else happened until she ran into complete darkness and air so cold she shivered.
“Who’s there?” Her thoughts reached across the inky-black, mysterious veil. The veil tried to enclose her, but her shields held.
“You will die first, and then those who love you.”
“What have I done to deserve your hatred?”
A shadow appeared in the distance. N
o form, a floating blob of evil. The evilness reached out toward her, and Rae’s arm throbbed where she’d been attacked before.
“My powers are stronger than all of yours. Surrender or die one by one.”
“You must kill me then. I will never admit defeat.”
“Foolish woman.” The entity screamed and lunged forward. Suddenly a white leopard jumped between them. A scream of frustration pierced the darkness, and it was gone. So was the leopard.
Rae opened her eyes. “You’re here. How did you do that? I still felt your knee against mine.”
“I threw an illusion between you and it. What you saw was a powerful chimera. But I wasn’t taking a chance the person or being behind it didn’t have a way to actually harm you,” Garth said. “Even your stronger shield didn’t appear to work completely.”
“What impressions did you get, Cad?” Rae turned to him.
“I tried to pick up on the gender. Our traitor here on the ranch may be a woman.”
“What clues brought you to that conclusion?” Rae asked.
“It’s not conclusive. But when he or she talked, there was a sense of anger, jealousy toward you. The speech was more like how a woman would speak, especially a scorned woman.”
“Darlin’, what woman’s man have you flirted with lately?” Garth said, a teasing grin on his face.
“No one unless one of you has a woman you haven’t told me about.”
“Not since we saw you.” Cad stood, pulled her up, and lifted her into his arms. “Enough talking. We’re going to bed. All of us.”
He carried her to her bedroom and sat her on the side of her bed. Already in the process of undressing, Garth followed them. As soon as Cad sat her down, Garth came to her side to start taking her clothes off one by one.
When he uncovered her breasts, he knelt and cupped each one in his hands. His lips brushed across the pink nipples. Raising his head, he leaned forward and captured her mouth with his. His fingers rubbed across her sensitive nipples. Shivers of desire flared in her lower abdomen and spread throughout her body.
Cad came to their side. He had undressed and sheathed his large cock. Garth stopped what he was doing, and Rae murmured a protest.
Commando Cowboys Captivate Their Lady [Wyoming Warriors 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 16
