“He wanted off the reserve.” Matoskah shook his head. “How many times did I tell you to take him away for a while? Just to have a chance to do anything but stick around here?”
Olivier threw his hands up. “Where was I supposed to take him? He always tries to escape.”
“And maybe we should have let him,” Matoskah answered.
“Shit, this is a mess. I don’t know what I was supposed to do for him.” Olivier paced away. “I may know a couple places he could have gone. I’ll see if my contacts can find him. I may need a trip to him, Robert.”
“You got it.” Robert reached out and everyone touched him. Then they were back at Robert’s.
“I should make a couple calls, see if anyone might know where to look. Then I need to head to Dakota’s. Maybe I can talk to Chatan,” Matoskah said.
“See you later,” Preston answered.
Brent dipped his head. “I think I know where to look for more information. I take it you’ll be at the barbecue, Matoskah?”
He nodded.
“I’ll see you there.”
Olivier walked out the door without a word.
Matoskah followed. “I’m sorry about Lars.”
“Not your fault. I guess I haven’t been a good brother. I don’t know what to do for him.”
“I’ll do what I can,” Matoskah assured. As much as he didn’t like the guy, he had a sad story. He didn’t fit in anywhere. They tried to make it work, but he wasn’t sure any place would be a good fit.
Chapter 17
Chatan had taken Jacinda everywhere in Edenton. Or it seemed that way. She had fun exploring the streets, the shops, the trails that led through the forest, around a lake.
Now she sat on a rock, leaning against Chatan. “It’s beautiful here.”
“Would you want to live here?”
She lifted a shoulder. “Honestly, Chatan, I’m happy wherever you are.”
“Same here.” He nodded toward the street. “We should get over there.”
“Yeah, I’ve worked up an appetite,” she teased.
“Oh, I wish I could have worked that up the way I want to.”
She laughed. “Tonight.”
He nodded. “We’re actually just down the street from his house. Want to walk?”
“Sure.” She stopped him, though, pulling him back to her. “First, I need something else.” She leaned up and took a kiss.
He pulled her against him, one hand sliding down to grip her ass, pulling her tight. He groaned as his tongue swept into her mouth, teasing hers.
He broke away and adjusted his erection.
She blushed. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
“I’m half tempted to cancel and take you back to the bed and breakfast.”
“Aren’t we staying at Eddie’s?” she asked.
“I could have you alone,” he murmured.
She traced his jaw. “I like staying there. Besides, I want to meet your other brother, and I get to meet your niece and nephew.”
“Not their wives?”
“Them too. But I never spent much time around small children, and I like kids.” She pushed out a breath. “Just don’t expect me to want one until after we deal with Thanatos.”
“I’m in no rush for kids, Jace. You’re all I want.”
Relieved, she pulled him toward the street. “Lead the way.”
It was a short distance, about a block and a half, and he turned down the driveway. She saw Dakota immediately. He looked like a leaner, less tattooed version of his twin. His aura was less vibrant and wilder than Tomahawk’s. More focused, maybe. Definitely a healer.
He smiled, his head tilting. “Good evening, Jacinda. Good to see you, Chatan. Enjoy your day wandering around Edenton?” he asked.
“We did,” she answered, then looked up at Chatan.
“You know I did.” He pulled her toward the porch. “Where’s my nephew?”
“Jolene has him. They’re in the back with Dad. And before you ask who told him, he showed up here and wouldn’t say anything, but he needed to talk to you.”
Jacinda squeezed his hand. “You should talk to him. Want me with you? Or would you prefer to talk to him yourself?”
He sighed, looked toward the door, and shrugged.
“I think he wants Jacinda there,” Dakota said. “Stay out here for a few if you aren’t ready yet. We can catch up.” He turned to Jacinda with a concerned expression. “I understand you have a problem with a creature that’s hunting your family?”
She nodded. “I do. Matoskah wants to help. He seems to know a lot more than I do.”
“I’m not surprised. I remember meeting your parents long ago. Before you were born. Dad wouldn’t tell us what he was working on, only that it was important.”
“I’m tired of secrets,” Jacinda muttered.
“Some secrets are kept to protect, but I understand how frustrating that can be.”
Chatan pulled her closer and simply held her.
“Sorry. It’s still fresh, isn’t it?” Dakota asked.
“Yeah, very. And then she comes up and I feel guilty for enjoying my time so soon after.”
“Can’t think like that. You can’t wallow in guilt and sadness. I’m sure she wouldn’t want that. Some parts of the day you’ll be down, others you should enjoy yourself. Her death wasn’t your fault.”
“She sacrificed herself. I think she drew him to her on purpose. All to make sure I had time to go through those journals. And I haven’t.” Her heart ached at the sudden weight.
“We should talk to my father. I hope he can tell us something more.”
“Me too,” she said.
Dakota took her shoulders. “If there is anything I can do, I will.”
“Thank you. I don’t have any idea what can be done at this point, though.”
“Talk to him.”
She dipped her head.
Chatan kissed her cheek. “We should head back there.”
She nodded and went around the house.
* * * *
And she was off. “Sorry,” Chatan told Dakota.
“Hurry up. She’s used to doing it all on her own, but don’t let her.” Dakota motioned toward her.
Chatan hurried to catch up. Before she got around the house, he grabbed her arm. “Wait for me, Jace.”
She stared at the ground. “Am I a horrible daughter?”
He pulled her closer and nudged her chin up. “No. Maybe I’m a bad boyfriend. I did keep you busy all day. And when you said you didn’t want to think about all that, I went with it because I didn’t want to think about it either. It’s my fault.”
“No, and it’s not mine. I deserve a break from all this mess. So do you. Only we don’t have that luxury. I should have started on the journals.”
“Please don’t. We have time.”
“Your father came to find us. It’s probably urgent.”
He sighed. “He would have showed up sooner or later.”
“We should go. And tomorrow, I’ll need to read. Maybe tonight.”
“If we need to go now—”
She leaned up to kiss him. “No, we aren’t leaving before the barbecue. I’m looking forward to this.” She blinked fast and her smile was strained.
“I love you, Jace.”
“I love you too.”
“You’re ready to cry.”
A sad sigh escaped. “I think I’m allowed a few moments of sadness. Tonight will cheer me up.” She pulled him to the back of the house.
Dad looked up, then moved toward them with a pinched brow and tight expression. “Has something happened?”
She let out a breath and shook her head. “Missing my mother.”
“Of course. I’m sorry.” He gave Chatan a cautious look. “I realize you’re here to spend time with your brothers, but this was important and has to do with Thanatos.”
Chatan blew out a breath. “I should have let you talk this afternoon.” He closed his eyes a moment, then looked his f
ather square in the eye. “I’m sorry I couldn’t deal with everything. I don’t know what to do with my mother being the one to take my magic.”
“I begged her to undo it. The closest she came was ensuring that if you ever found your soulmate, the binds holding back your magic would evaporate. I knew you would find Jacinda.”
“Do you hate my mother?” he asked, then swallowed past the lump in his throat.
“Never. I know you don’t understand why I turned to Arisa. I was hurting, and she was too. She’d just lost her husband. It didn’t start out as anything more than comfort. And it grew. And yes, it grew faster than you were ready for. I’m sorry that hurts you.”
Chatan hugged him. He wished he could have heard all of that ages ago. It might have helped him get over all the other shit that hurt so damned bad. “I’m sorry I was an asshole.”
Dad pushed him back and looked into his eyes. “No, you were a kid. I didn’t know how to tell you without you hating her. I didn’t want that. I still love my Kimi. But the toxin changed her. She wasn’t herself in the end. Thanatos left a taint. I didn’t want to hurt you by telling you the truth. And I should have, but I never wanted you to think the worst of her.”
“Promise you won’t keep any other secrets.”
“I won’t. And I wish I understood why she locked away your magic. I get what she was thinking, but I can’t ever see it as right. I wanted so badly to fix it.”
“So you pushed, and pushed, hoping to undo what she did?”
Dad blinked fast, nodding. “Yeah. I pushed too hard. I knew it was in there, and I knew Jacinda could unlock it, but I didn’t know where she was.” He turned to Jacinda. “I never even realized Olivier was watching you. Your mother stopped talking to the rest of us. I didn’t know how to find you after your father died.”
“I’m still trying to understand that. I wish I had the answers,” she said.
“Whatever it takes, I will help. Whatever you need to know, ask,” Dad promised. “That’s part of why I’m here. I know the journals you have will help you find Thanatos so we can stop him on our own time.”
“I just have to figure them out.” She sighed.
“You’re the only one who can,” Matoskah answered.
Chatan lowered his voice. “How bad is what you learned after we left?”
Dad blew out a breath. “There’s another sorcerer who has summoned Thanatos. He wants the creature fused to the man. His brother is looking for him. Tomorrow, if you are both up for it, we should meet at the longhouse. It’s the biggest place for all of us.”
Jacinda managed a smile. “Yeah, and tonight I need to read Dad’s journals. I should have started on that first, but I needed time.”
“Which is understandable. Sometimes, after losing someone we love, we need to cling to someone for support. And you have Chatan. You needed to take this time to find your footing. And as long as you have it, you’ll need to see what we can do to find Thanatos. You may be the only one who can.”
She nodded. “Still, I should have started there right away. It’s what I’ve been working toward all my life.”
Dad touched her shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up. You weren’t ready. You need to be focused when you do. If you need time, take it.”
“I’ll have more time when he’s dead and gone,” she answered.
Matoskah shook his head. “We know more now than we did then. And you’ll figure out the rest. Do this at your pace. No one is going to blame you if you aren’t ready.” Hugging her, he whispered in her ear, “You’ve learned so much. Chatan too. Don’t rush for the sake of rushing. We’ll finish Thanatos, I promise you.”
She squeezed him back. “Thank you.”
He dipped his head. “Now, go meet the rest of your new family.”
Chatan was starting to understand his father. He should have listened sooner, but he didn’t want to hear anything that put his mother in a negative light. Dad didn’t want to tarnish Chatan’s view of his mother. Before, he would refuse to talk about her. At least now he knew why.
Tomahawk carried a little girl over. “Hey, you two. Jacinda, meet everyone. This is my princess, Annalise, and my beautiful wife, Darla.” Annalise had her mother’s brown hair and her father’s features.
Darla took Annalise from Tomahawk and held out her hand to Jacinda. “Good to meet you.”
“You too,” she said. “She is just precious.
Darla grinned. “Thank you.”
Tomahawk nodded to Jolene as Dakota came around the corner and took Jacob from her. “And this is Dakota’s lovely wife, Jolene, and their boy, Jacob.”
“You both have beautiful families,” Jacinda said.
“Thank you,” Jolene answered. “Matoskah filled us in on what’s going on with you. How are you doing?”
“I’m dealing with everything. Mostly thanks to Chatan.”
“Your grandfather and Amelia should be here in a little while. I could get you something to drink,” Jolene said. “There’s tea, wine, water, juice. I think we have some pop.”
“Tea, please.” She looked around. “Need help with anything?”
“Oh no,” Jolene said. “You hang out, relax. Let us take care of it.” She shot Chatan a look. “That goes for you too.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He held his hands out for his nephew. Jacob reached for him and he scooped the boy up. “How’s my buddy?”
Jacob smiled and pointed to Jacinda. “New friend?”
“She’s more than that to me, but I bet she’ll be your friend.”
Jacinda nodded, smiling at the boy.
Annalise never liked being left out and reached for Jacinda. She took the girl with a smile and a look at Tomahawk, who nodded.
“Red!” Annalise pulled a chunk of her hair with a smile.
“Yup, red,” she answered. Annalise hugged her and Jacinda’s smile nearly split her face. “She’s adorable.”
“She may not let you go,” Chatan warned.
Jacob patted her hair. “Pretty.”
“You’re cute,” she answered.
He grinned at her before trying to get down. “Play, Anna.”
Annalise twisted in Jacinda’s arms, and she looked at Darla. “They’re okay down, right?”
“Yup, they can’t get far,” Darla assured.
* * * *
Waiting had never been Brent’s forte. Chatan had told him how uncomfortable his dad made him on a regular basis. How would Jacinda feel with Matoskah intruding on their family dinner? Then again, he was doing the same sort of thing.
At least he had the invite from Chatan.
His gorgeous vampire woke with a smile on her lips. “Hey, Brent. Why do you seem stressed?”
“I’ll explain on the way, but I told Chatan and Jacinda we’d be at Dakota’s house for a barbecue. And Matoskah went, which Chatan won’t be thrilled about. I’m not sure what to think about any of it.”
“I should get dressed, huh?” she asked.
He nodded.
“One moment, then we can go. While you drive, you can tell me everything that happened while I was sleeping.”
“Gladly.” He stood and pulled on his jacket. “You’ve been around a lot of mated pairs. Do you think they fit together well?”
Amelia smirked as she peeked out of the closet. “Oh, I’m sure they do. They gravitated to each other. Kind of like we do now that you aren’t pushing me away.”
A low growl escaped his lips as he closed the distance and pulled her against him. “If there were any other reason than my granddaughter who needs help, I would keep you here, in bed, all night long.”
She pushed him back with a sassy smirk. “We’ll have plenty of time after we get back.”
“Yeah, I hope. I did some digging today. Found some legends or myths about Thanatos. And after seeing Mina’s body, I don’t think they were far off the truth.”
“What kind of stories?”
“His claws secrete poison of some sort. It burns into the flesh.
His wings span an entire room, probably more if he’s outside. His image shifts too. So that’s the Shadow Mystic, I believe.” Brent rubbed at his face as he moved away. “The symbols he burns into his victims are part of a ritual to enslave his victims in death. That means my son is stuck. Probably why no Deathcaller could bring him forth.”
“What?” Amelia asked.
Brent winced. “Erik tried to reach him for me. There are a million things that could have kept him from making contact. Mostly harmless. Remember, he didn’t tell me what they were running from. I only learned about Thanatos recently.”
“Tell me on the way. Maybe we can work it out, together.” She stepped away and dressed quickly.
Chapter 18
Being with Chatan and his family was easy. Jacinda usually felt awkward in groups, but she quickly felt at ease with most people he had introduced her to. And she was strangely happy to see Brent and Amelia walk into the back yard where they’d been for an hour.
“Good evening. Enjoying yourself?” Brent asked.
“Very much. Glad you could make it,” Jacinda answered. Then smiled at Amelia. “Your family lives out here, right?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I would have called my sister, but she’s with Robert’s nephew, bringing your car back. By the way, she says it’s running rough.”
Jacinda winced. “Yeah, the Tercel is old. And I don’t keep up on the maintenance like I should.”
“Maybe you should consider a new car.”
She managed a smile. She had a little money saved up, but not the kind of funds to buy a new car. Which was why she loved her beat up old Tercel. But it couldn’t live forever, and she knew that.
“That’s a worry for another day.”
Brent rubbed his chin. “What if I could come up with a solution?”
She shook her head immediately. “We have other things to worry about than a vehicle. Chatan has a car here, and a truck at home. I’m fine for now.”
Chatan ducked his head.
Brent gave him a determined look. “Neither of his vehicles are in great shape either. But I’ll drop it for now. But once things settle down, we’ll discuss it again.”
“He’s right, you know.”
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