by Unknown
“No, you’re exactly right. I’ll do my level best to fight this poison and save your grandfather’s life.” The doctor looked solemn. “I wish I could promise you he’d pull through but there are no guarantees in medicine. How are your people going to react if Matias doesn’t make it? I understand he’s the leader of this clan. The shifter version of a laird if you were in Scotland. Do I need a quick exit strategy?” He gripped Caitlin’s hand. “We won’t be martyrs for this, you ken.”
“I’ve made it clear you are to be treated well, no matter the outcome. My grandmother will back me on this and they’ll listen to her, even if they won’t listen to me.” Rafe glanced at his grandfather’s door, silently praying that this vampire would come up with a cure. “Grandmother’s convinced it’s a woman who did this. That’s who I’m going after. She’s the one who will be blamed if Matias dies, not you. The clan understands that you’re our last resort. Do what you can, O’Connor, but no one here expects miracles.” But he’d get down on his knees and thank God if one did happen.
The doctor nodded. “I’ve seen a few in my long life and I’ll do my damnedest to give you one.” He pulled a paper out of his pocket. “Here’s a list of things I’ll need to set up a proper lab. If I’m to work on an antidote, I need to get started immediately. So have this here by sunset.”
Rafe glanced at the paper. His grandmother could handle the list and start proving that she really did want the old man to pull through. “You’ll have it.” He held out his hand. “Thanks for coming and you can be sure no one will disturb your death sleep. You have my word on it. I’ll post a guard at your bedroom door.” He didn’t miss the glance the doctor and Cait exchanged. “Yes, I know it’s a little late for reassurances.”
“I’m here because Gloriana thinks the world of you. If Cait’s brother’s new wife trusts you, then so shall we. And a guard would be appreciated. Sleeping in a strange house is uncomfortable for us. I won’t deny that.” Bart flashed a grin. “And we left our double wide coffin at home.”
Rafe slapped him on the shoulder. “Funny. I lived with Glory too many years to believe that. But I get that you’re vulnerable during the day. I will ask my grandmother to pick her most trustworthy man to sit at your door. Not everyone here knows and likes vampires. I wouldn’t risk either of you for the world.”
Cait kissed Rafe’s cheek. “Now I know why Glory counts you as her best friend. I admit I’ve been worrying about sunrise ever since we got here.”
“Even Blade tolerates you. And your history with him isn’t the best.” Bart smiled and nodded. “I like those precautions and appreciate them. Now show us where we can sleep. I feel the dawn and would like a shower first.”
Rafe left them to the housekeeper’s care. He had a dozen details to iron out if he was to push off for the port in an hour. He had words with his grandmother first, making sure she knew just how serious he was about keeping the vampires safe. When he was positive that she got it, he checked on supplies. At least his volunteers were just as eager to find the poisoner and the antidote as he was and were working tirelessly to get ready to go.
Matias may have been weak when it came to women, but he still had the respect that being clan leader gave him. The Castillo name went a long way in this village. Unless it was tainted with demon blood. Rafe heard whispers and caught the villagers giving him sidelong glances as he tried to get everything organized.
He looked around the square. In some ways the place hadn’t changed in centuries. Oh, yes, there was Wi-Fi and satellite TV now, but the stone buildings were the same and so were the people. He couldn’t imagine Lacy or his children here, stuck in a time warp. But it had been a great place to grow up, surrounded by family. That is until he’d become a teenager and started coming into his powers. He’d thought it was funny to use his eyes as a flame thrower. His cousins hadn’t gotten the joke. No one would come near him after that unless they thought they could use him in a prank. He’d always end up with the blame, even if another boy had pushed him into a situation. He had developed a big chip on his shoulder then that only his brothers ignored.
Matias and his grandmother had done their best to give him a happy home, but raising a demon child was probably doomed from the start. Rafe remembered loud fights with Grandfather when the older man had refused to accept that his grandson was no longer a child to be ordered to follow what he saw as arbitrary rules. That was undoubtedly typical when a boy became a man. Rafe would have to remember that when his own boys grew up. His boys. God. Such a responsibility. And then there was his daughter. How would he keep them safe?
Rafe was the first to admit that the modern world was a dangerous place. Did he really want to raise his children surrounded by mortals and other paranormals?
But bringing them here wasn’t the answer. It had been over a thousand years since Rafe had lived here as a child. And he’d been loved here only because of his grandfather’s strong personality and insistence that Rafe be treated as part of the clan. He’d had to fight for his place here and had finally lost that fight. His own children would be half were-cat as well. They’d never be accepted here. Neither would Lacy. And was this even a safe place now? Obviously not, since Grandfather lay dying just yards away.
Rafe kicked a loose stone out of his way and strode toward his grandfather’s house again. He could count on one hand the people he’d recognized since he’d arrived here. The clan was in danger of extinction and unless something drastic happened, the Castillo name would soon be meaningless. Matias had to live and change his ways, become the man he’d once been, charismatic and worth following. If not, Grandmother needed to take the reins and become a stronger leader. The condition of the village made it clear she’d let many things slide even before Matias had become ill. Rafe needed to find her again and make sure she’d already put that guard on O’Connor’s door. Then he was going to say a few words to her about the conditions here. She wasn’t going to like it but, in his current mood, he really didn’t give a damn.
“I feel fine. I have to get up and out of here.” Lacy couldn’t stand all the hovering another minute. Her mother wouldn’t leave her alone for a minute. Apparently seeing a vampire doctor working over her daughter had made her mom lose all common sense. She’d gone from hysterical over the drug Ian had used to ease Lacy’s pain to raving about how to feed the babies.
“Where did this formula come from?” Her mother grabbed the bottle Lacy was holding. “Put the baby to your breast. I told you it’s healthier.”
“There are three of them, Mama. I’m worn out trying to feed them myself. They eat like they’re starving all the time. I can’t possibly have enough milk for all of them.” Lacy winced when the baby lying in her lap stared at her and screamed. “Now see what you’ve done. Give me the bottle. Ian says that’s a high quality formula. I called him and he researched it. I had Amy go out and buy it. See? Lucas loves it.”
Her mother stared at her, squinting and wrinkling her nose as if trying to read her mind. She couldn’t of course. She did hand over the bottle and couldn’t complain when the baby grabbed the nipple and began sucking hungrily.
“He does seem to like it. But, Lacy, you could do both. A little of you, a little of the bottle. And I will speak to Amy, your partner in crime. You shouldn’t be keeping secrets from me.” She frowned. “Suddenly putting them on formula. You’re not thinking of leaving them, are you? It’s only been a week since you gave birth. And there was that long labor.” Mama picked up another one of the babies who’d started fussing. “”What’s the matter, Daniela?” She bounced the baby in her arms until she settled down. “Tell me the truth now, Lacy. Are you thinking of going after that man?”
“That man is the father of these children.” Lacy laid aside the empty bottle and put the baby on her shoulder to burp him. “I’m worried about Rafe. What if his grandfather dies? He’ll need me. All I’m doing here is lying around like an invalid. You’re taking care of the children anyway.”
“I c
an fix that. I’ll leave you alone with them. They’re yours. You do everything. I thought I was doing you a favor. Giving you time to heal from a rough birth. But I can stop right now.” Her mother stomped around the bed, finally putting Daniela in her crib. “You are not going after that man.”
“I have to, Mama. I have a bad feeling. Maybe it’s my raging hormones, I don’t know. But I need to see Rafe, make sure he’s all right.” Lucas enjoyed a noisy burp then added a bit of formula to the blanket she’d put under his head. “Oops. Got a little mess here. Will you take him?”
“Hah! What if I say no?” But Sheila grabbed him anyway, cooing to him and wiping his chin before she kissed his head and tucked him into his own bassinet. “How could you leave these precious babies? Look at them, sleeping now. And I don’t believe in your feelings. I know how cats are after they give birth. You are having the usual reaction. You will heal fast then get crazy with lust.” She threw up her hands. “Go see your fancy vampire doctor. See what he says about you travelling in your condition. I bet he tells you to stay the hell home.”
“I’ll go see Ian, Mama. That’s a good idea. But staying here and worrying isn’t happening. I’m going after Rafe.” Lacy sat up and the room swayed. No, she wasn’t giving in to it. She only felt woozy because her mother had insisted she nurse all three babies and they’d drained her. No wonder she was weak and dizzy. Lacy put her feet on the floor and waited for everything to settle into place. When it finally did, she picked up her phone. After she hung up, she faced her mother.
“He’s going to see me this afternoon. But prepare yourself. I’m going. And I know you’ll take care of my children because who else should I leave them with?” Lacy had grown up learning manipulation from her mother. Now she pressed home the point. “I guess I could go on-line and hire someone from one of those nanny services. Of course I could get a stranger who could care less if Gabriel chokes on his formula or Daniela rolls over and falls off the bed. But I have three children so coming home to one would be pretty good, don’t you think?”
“Stop it. I know what you’re doing. And I won’t hear another word!” Her mother put her hands over her ears.
“Fine. Don’t listen. But this afternoon Ian’s going to give me a final checkup and something to get rid of this.” She pressed her hands to her swollen breasts. “I know he’s going to tell me I’m okay to travel.”
Sheila hissed. “No, it’s unnatural. You must stay here and do your duty as a mother. Will you listen to a vampire instead of your own family?” Of course her mom would pull out that argument. She and Ian had bickered constantly while they’d been in his home.
“Ian is an excellent doctor. Look at the results. Three perfect children even though they were early.” Lacy was ready to head to the shower but she needed to get some things settled first. “I’m going after Rafe. You can either watch the babies here or I’m taking them with me. An airplane ride for newborns might be a little rough, but I can handle it. Maybe Ian has a harmless drug he can give them so they’ll sleep through it.” She hid a grin when her mother gasped. “And I’m sure Rafe’s relatives in the shifter clan would be thrilled to see the babies and take care of them.”
“Drugs!” Her mother stood in front of the cribs like she dared Lacy to touch them. “I know you have to be kidding me. Of course they’re too little to travel. I won’t hear of it. I can take care of them.” Mama looked down at the babies and muttered something about shifters. Then she turned and glared at Lacy. “You exhaust me.”
“I’m sorry. But thanks, Mama.”
“Where’s your pride? Chasing halfway across the world after that shifter is not a good idea, Lacy. He’ll either come home to his family or he won’t. Wait and see.” Clearly her mother hoped they’d seen the last of Rafe. Her own love life had taught her that men were superfluous. She’d raised Lacy and her siblings mostly on her own.
“No. I’m not waiting.” Lacy was pleased that she was steady now and so was the room.
“Be careful when you see that vampire doctor. I don’t like him. I swear, he wanted a taste of--”
“Mama, stop! Ian was pulling your chain. I saw him flash his fangs when you were around. But he’d never touch them to one of the babies.” He’d actually laughed to Lacy about her mother’s paranoia behind her back. “I need to be sure I’m healed before I go see Rafe.” Lacy could feel herself flush. “I, I miss him.”
“Hormones! Yes, go twitch your tail at your man.” Her mother shook her head. “You’re killing me, you know. There are so many nice cats who would love you, respect you. Men who come from good families. At least promise you won’t marry him yet.” Her mother actually got tears in her eyes.
“Will you quit disrespecting Rafe?” Lacy knew she couldn’t afford to fight with Sheila now. She did need her to babysit, but this was getting old. “I love him and I’m going to marry him. He gave me these beautiful children. He will be in my life forever because of that no matter what happens after this.” Her own eyes filled but she didn’t let a tear fall. The certainty that Rafe needed her wouldn’t go away. She had to go to him. And, fussing or not, her mother would guard her grandchildren with her life.
Mama put her arm around Lacy and stood beside her as they gazed down at the babies who slept the sleep of the innocent.
“You understand why this is so hard for me, Alençon?”
“Mama, please. You promised to never call me that.” Her mother had named her after what she called the queen of lace, a favorite of hers. The name was an embarrassment that her daughter had insisted be forgotten as soon as she was old enough to have her name legally changed to Lacy.
“I am very serious now. You are the one who tied yourself to this shifter. They are not like us. He could decide to stay there. With his so-called clan.” She brushed a hand over one child’s head and sighed. “Would you leave us? To be with him? Take these little ones to a strange place? What if these babies turn out to be cats?”
Lacy pulled away from her mother. “This knee-jerk mistrust of other paranormals has to stop. Rafe is a fine man and a good provider. He owns his own successful business. If a were-cat with his kind of money and character had come to you asking to marry me, you would be over the moon right now.”
“Hah! Did he come to me? Ever?” Mama had her hands on her hips, eyes flashing. “Hell no. He knocked you up.” She put up her hand when Lacy started to say something. “Oh, let me finish. I know you had a lot to do with that. You were in heat, my girl. Panting after him. What man could resist?” She wagged a finger in Lacy’s face. “I don’t regret these children. What I regret is the blood that is now mixed with ours.”
“Stop it!” Lacy jumped when all three babies woke with screams. “Now see what you’ve done. You keep spouting that venom and I’ll make sure you never see these children grow up. Is that what you want? To alienate me and my family? I’ll do it. I swear I will. I’ll take them and go wherever Rafe wants to go.” She picked up two at a time, gesturing to her sister, who had come running when the screaming started, to get the third. She began to croon, soothing them quickly. “We can sell his club and live anywhere. Think about that.”
“You are so stubborn. You take after your father, that no account tom cat.” Mama reached for Lucas, nestled in Amy’s arms. “I will not say another word. I just remembered that my own taste in men is not worth spit.” She kissed the baby’s cheek. “At least we make beautiful children. So go to your man. I will guard these babies with my life as you knew I would.” She laid him in his crib. “Precious boy. I believe someday you will be a fine strong cat like your grandma, won’t you big fellow?”
“He might.” Lacy relented and handed her Daniela after placing a kiss on her downy head.
“This beauty. She will break all the boys’ hearts. Look at her. She has your red hair, Lacy.”
“Unfortunately. I’m lucky Rafe likes it.” Lacy took Gabriel from her sister. “I swear they all look like Rafe to me.” She sighed and just breathed in his ba
by scent, tears stinging her eyes. She hated to leave them. But her instincts had never failed her yet. Rafe needed her and he would have her. “I’ll be back and bring you your papa.” She laid her son in his crib and gave her mother one more searching look.
“I said nothing. He is their father. I have never argued that point. Come back safely. We will plan a wedding.”
“Good.” Lacy began getting dressed. Amy drove her to Ian’s where she got a clean bill of health and a lecture about the medication that would dry up her milk. Ian thought she should continue to breast feed too. As a supplement for the children. Amazing that he and her mother agreed on something. He reluctantly gave her the drug anyway after she insisted she was going to be leaving for a week, maybe longer.
Then she called Ed. They were going to an island off the coast of Spain. Imagine. She would finally get to see where Rafe came from. If she didn’t have this sense that there was a dark cloud of danger, the kind that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, surrounding him, she might have cancelled the trip and stayed home. Leaving the babies was harder than she’d thought it would be. But she couldn’t ignore the growing sense of urgency she felt that she needed to be with Rafe.
With a litany of her mother’s complaints in her ears, Lacy made her arrangements. No one was stopping her until she saw for herself that Rafe was all right.
“Rafe belongs to Clan Castillo. That’s Rafael’s real last name. Not Valdez.” Ed sighed, obviously giving up on getting comfortable. The big man wasn’t built for a coach seat. Neither was Lacy but she simply couldn’t afford two first class tickets to the Spanish Canary Islands, where Rafe’s clan lived.
