Stalked (Rogues Shifter #2)

by Gayle Parness

  “Cool.” Kyle got up and moved toward the grill to throw on the steaks.

  Trying to diffuse the tension I announced, “I’ll heat up Liam’s potatoes au gratin.” They both laughed. “Hey, I know my limitations and I’ve learned to live with them. You’ll just have to deal.” That made them laugh even harder.

  As Kyle and Ethan discussed the height of the flame, I took out the potatoes and defrosted them in the microwave. After placing the casserole dish on the rack in the oven, I joined the guys outside.

  “So when did you learn to play piano, Ethan?”

  “I was eight and my sister was taking lessons on the upright we had in the basement. I just sat there during the lessons and then tried to copy what the piano teacher had taught my sister. After a few years I could read music. I just kept practicing on my own. I haven’t played since I left home.”

  “You gotta stop playin’ those girly songs, though. You know any metal?” I left the two of them still arguing about the other one’s taste in music and walked up the stairs to knock on Sinc’s door. She’d been crying.

  We just stared at each other for a minute. “Why haven’t you tried to touch me and work your witchy magic?” she sniffed.

  “Would you like me to?”

  “Not really.”

  “I didn’t think you would.”

  “Huh.” She ran a hand through her dark hair. “You think you know me pretty well,”

  I shrugged. “You’re my friend. I want to help you. Not piss you off.”

  “I’m supposed to be helping you while I’m here.”

  “We can help each other. More fun that way.”

  She smiled. “Yeah, well, I’m hungry. Can you help me with that?”

  I smiled back at her. “Wash off your face and I’ll serve you a feast.”

  Fifteen minutes later we were in the kitchen setting the table and the guys were bringing in the steaks and veggies. Ethan sat down next to Sinc and put his arm around her. She leaned into him and they kissed gently. I turned away to dish out potatoes, wanting to give them a little privacy. After everything had been served up we ate, chatting about how to go after Kennet, now that Brina was home with her family.

  Ethan was excited about this new challenge. “We may have to lay a trap for him. Maybe we could get a message to him though one of his sources that you’re going to be somewhere alone. Of course you wouldn’t be sent out as bait, Jackie, it would just be a ruse to get him to show himself.”

  Sinc suggested, “Maybe Angel could say that he wants the ransom money and is willing to tell Kennet where she is. It’s not really far-fetched, he does that kind of work.”

  Kyle’s eyes brightened with excitement. “Yeah that could work. I wonder if Kennet could tell if he was lying? Maybe we should get Angel to contact one of Kennet’s sources and not go to Kennet directly.”

  It made my heart all warm and fuzzy listening to them plan an attack against Kennet, but they needed a wake-up call. “I think in theory it’s a good idea, but you guys are seriously underestimating him.” They stared at me and waited. “He can insinuate himself into our dreams and our minds. He’s much more powerful than Garrett. He’s not going to fall for it. He’d end up twisting it around and someone would get hurt.”

  Ethan asked, “So what do you think we should do?”

  I looked at the three of them and tried to make them understand. “I think you should leave him to Garrett, Liam, Aedus, Lord Caelen and the rest of the Fae Elders. He had fae citizens kidnapped and tortured. They’re looking for him and they’ll find him. We can’t win against Kennet and if any of you gets hurt trying, I don’t know if I can deal with it.”

  “Then why are we here?” Kyle looked extremely irritated, not unusual for him.

  “Kyle, you’re an idiot!” As usual Sinc was pissed at him. “She needs us, so that’s why we’re here.”

  “Kyle, it was your idea to come, but to be honest, I do need you. I need to feel normal and not think about Kennet or Bridgett or a basement full of vamps. When I’m with you three, I feel as close to a normal seventeen year old as I ever do. I guess it’s selfish, but I’m really glad that you guys are here.”

  There was silence for a few seconds. “Mario Kart anyone?” Ethan asked.

  “As long as I’m Princess Toadstool,” Kyle said brushing back his spiky blonde hair. Sinc threw a carrot at him which he caught and shoved in his mouth, still managing to mumble, “Thanks Sinclair.”

  We cleaned up the mess together, playfully squirting each other with soapy water and giggling when one of us slipped on the wet floor. It probably took us twice as long, but as we raced up the stairs to boot up the game, we were all feeling more like a team again.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Garrett and Sasha had been playing pool in the basement so when Heinrich and William woke up, they went out to feed together. Garrett came upstairs first to remind us that we were not to leave the house.

  An hour later, having grown tired of Kyle winning every single Mario Kart game, we decided to turn on a monster movie marathon playing on a local TV station. Ethan made popcorn and brought it up in a huge bowl which we passed around and managed to spill everywhere. Of course, Samson didn’t mind at all that we were dropping popcorn on the floor and the couch. Ethan had fed him his regular meal when he was downstairs, but he still wolfed down each stray buttery kernel.

  “He is not going to thank you for feeding him popcorn when he is constipated tomorrow.” Liam was standing in the doorway, grinning and looking much more like himself. He had his long golden blonde hair tied back out of his face and was still wearing my sweatpants and tee shirt, which looked better on him than me.

  “Hey Liam. Nice look. Are the Fae going more for workout wear these days?” Kyle got along great with Liam, although on the surface they were pretty much opposites.

  “Actually, the Elders thought that we would get some piercings and tats and wear the same black jeans and graphic tee shirt everyday just to change it up a little.” Liam’s voice was mimicking Kyle’s exactly, so after a shocked pause, we all broke out in hysterical laughter.

  “Man that was good! You should work Vegas. Can you do Ethan?” Kyle was wiping away tears.

  He grinned. “Sorry, but I will never ‘do’ Ethan.”

  My mouth dropped open. He’d made a racy joke.

  Kyle snorted. “Very funny, you know what I mean.”

  In Ethan’s exact rich tone, Liam said, “Kyle, if you don’t change your outfit once in a while, I’m throwing you off the team and calling in the “What Not to Wear” consultants.”

  “Holy Shit. How do you do that? Can you do my voice?” Sinc asked.

  “I cannot mimic women’s voices. It is not a typical fae talent, but it has been useful on occasion. Brina can mimic anyone’s voice and she is able to change her appearance to become an exact copy of that person. Even their scent. It is extraordinary.”

  I asked, “Are you hungry? There are plenty of leftovers. Come downstairs with me.” We left the others to their monster marathon and I heated up some steak, veggies and potatoes for Liam. I sat with him while he ate, Samson curled by my feet.

  “You haven’t slept for long.”

  “I have plenty of time to sleep, thanks to your hospitality. I woke up hungry.” I was so relieved to see that his aura had returned to its usual clear gold with that perfect emerald ring along the outside that designated him a healer.

  “The gang is staying upstairs until you fae get your hands on Kennet and he’s out of my hair.”

  “You fae?” he laughed.

  The doorbell rang. I was not particularly happy to see Bridgett standing on my doorstep, but I let her in anyway. “You should call first.”

  “I did but it went right to voicemail.”

  “I have a landline phone too. Maya has the number.”

  “I’m sorry. I just wanted to talk to you.”

  “Well, come into the kitchen. Ethan, Sinc and Kyle are upstairs watching a movie.


  I didn’t mention Liam because I figured she might make a run for it. It was as good a time as any for them to clear the air. Liam stood up as we entered the kitchen, probably not craving a confrontation, and Bridgett froze as soon as she saw him. “Bridgett, please sit down. You too, please, Liam. They did and I sat down between them.

  Liam did not look happy so I sent to him, “I didn’t plan this, no matter how it looks to you. She came over without calling first. We’ll talk for three minutes and then I’ll send her upstairs to play with the other kids.” I grinned and I saw the corner of his mouth twitch.

  I spoke to them both. “So here’s the story. You’re going to be bumping into each other when you’re around me but I don’t want to be worrying about you two all the time.” Liam was quietly intense and Bridgett looked terrified. In yet another episode of ‘Déjà Vu of Our Lives’, I said, “Just agree to be civil to each other, for my sake please?”

  “Can I say something to you, Liam?” Bridgett was looking at him warily. He nodded but his expression revealed nothing.

  “You tortured my dad. Then you killed him.”

  There was no anger in his voice. “Yes. He tortured my people, for six long months.”

  She nodded, as if not wanting to proceed unless she was sure. “I don’t know if I can forgive you for that, but I still want to thank you for giving me another chance. I’m sorry. I should have told someone. I’ll do whatever the Elders decide I should do.” She said this whole speech looking at him directly. It took a lot of courage and I was proud of her.

  Liam spoke quietly. “You should thank your sister and the fae prisoners who decided to have mercy on you. I would not have shown you any mercy, other than a quick and relatively painless death.”

  “I'd like to thank the prisoners, and apologize to them.”

  He arched an eyebrow.” Are you telling me seriously that you would apologize to them in person: the fae who were tortured by your father and by you?”

  “Yes.”

  “I will ask them if they would accept a formal apology from you. I can arrange a meeting. There is a ritual involved which is not always pleasant, but your slate would be wiped clean and your two years of service would be much easier. It would be a new beginning between you and me as well, Bridgett.”

  She nodded and looked a little terrified. “I’ll do it, if you think I should.” She looked down at the floor.

  I sent to her, “Has Maya been talking to you about the Fae?”

  ‘She told me that if I didn’t straighten this out, my life would suck for the next two years. I’d rather not be cleaning toilets for them. I think I can be put to much better use.”

  Of course she didn’t realize that Liam heard what she’d said. She didn’t know how to block other psychics out to have a completely private conversation. He asked her, “What use do you think you are suited for?”

  She blushed bright red and looked down at her lap. “I’m good with computers…and languages.”

  “Really, languages?” He was interested.

  “I speak some Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese and Greek.”

  “You do?” I was in shock this time.

  “Yeah my dad was really good at languages too. He knew some Fae, but didn’t teach me any.”

  I could see the wheels turning in Liam’s mind. I said, “Bridgett, why don’t you go upstairs to say hi to the others?”

  “Sure. I’ll see you later.” She gave Liam a feeble wave and then raced out of the room and up the stairs.

  “Interpreters are always useful to us. I wonder how quickly she can learn some basic Fae?”

  I shrugged just in time to see Garrett and the other vamps walking into the kitchen through the back patio doors. Sasha hissed with excitement when he saw Liam and sat right down at the kitchen table across from him. He took in a long, deep breath.

  “There’s nothing like fae blood for dessert.” His blue eyes sparkled with a touch of silver and he licked his lips as his fangs popped out. Garrett shook his head and smiled, knowing that Liam was more than capable of holding his own against Sasha.

  Liam leaned over the table toward Sasha, his voice low and threatening. “Or one hundred year old vampire blood.” We all felt Liam pull up a large shot of energy from the lines as his eyes swirled with gold. Vicious looking fangs grew out of his mouth, much longer than Sasha’s. (Must be a guy thing.) Wicked looking claws appeared where his fingernails had been and his expression could only be described as hungry.

  Sasha hissed softly feeling the intensity of the magic and knowing the threat it represented. He tilted his head in acknowledgement of the superior power surrounding Liam and smiled. His voice was husky. “You win, fae. But you don’t know what you’re missing.”

  Liam was back to normal in a heartbeat. “And I never will, vampire.” Liam leaned back and relaxed into his chair. A battle was fought and an accord reached without the two of them leaving the kitchen or even standing up. Welcome to my world.

  Garrett sat down next to me and kissed my cheek. “Heinrich, Sasha, William, this is Liam. He is a trusted friend and I expect you to treat him with the same respect you give me and Jackie. Liam, this is my nest: Sasha Vodinski, Heinrich Schultz and William Carlyle. I apologize for Sasha’s behavior.” The look he gave Sasha was not friendly.

  “I apologize, Liam.” Sasha didn’t seem fazed by Garrett’s glare.

  “I accept your apology, Sasha Vodinski.” Liam was grinning. I think he’d had some fun.

  “Do you play pool?” Sasha smiled angelically.

  “Yes, Sasha. I like the game very much.”

  “Excellent. Would you like to play Heinrich and me? We also—like the game very much.” He was making fun of the way Liam spoke. “You can play too, Will.” Sasha’s comment was thrown out at the last minute making it obvious to everyone where William stood in the downstairs pecking order.

  “Thanks, but I have work to do on the computer.” William had been working hard at familiarizing himself with modern computer programming.

  “I think I would like to join you, Sasha. Do you play for money?” Liam was smiling playfully. I was pretty sure he was going to clean them out.

  “Oh yes, we do play for money.” They stood and started downstairs and I had to giggle watching Heinrich and Sasha winking at each other as if they had this one in the bag. William followed them down, probably heading to the computer in his room.

  “Sasha.” Garrett’s voice was firm.

  Sasha stopped on the stairs. There were a few moments of silence and then he bowed his head and said, “Yes Garrett, of course.”

  Now there was only me, Garrett and Samson in the kitchen. The team and Bridgett were upstairs and Liam and the vamps were downstairs. Garrett put Liam’s plate in the dishwasher while I called Maya to come and pick up Bridgett.

  We needed alone time very badly, which was practically impossible with a house full of supernaturals. Today had been emotionally draining and exhausting, so when Garrett whispered in my ear, “I’ll fill the bath tub,” there was only one possible response.

  “Perfect.” I answered. Maya said she’d be here in fifteen minutes so I told Bridgett to listen for the honk and then joined Garrett in the huge tub full of bubbles.

  “Do you feel better with our team here in the house?” Garrett was massaging my foot. Oh man that felt so good.

  “Yeah, I’m having fun with them. Liam was even joking around with us.” I told him what had gone on upstairs.

  He smiled and laughed softly. “You know, spending time with the shifters is good for him. He’s half human and shifters are the supernatural group that is most like humans.” I sighed with pleasure as he began working on the other foot. His eyes crinkled up when I picked up one of his and dug my thumb into his arch.

  When he ran his hand up to massage my calf, still a little red from Kennet’s attack, I frowned as I remembered the pain and the fear. He noticed the change in my mood so he released my leg and pulled me into his arm
s, kissing the top of my head and rubbing my back with his soapy hand. “You’re safe, Jackie. He won’t hurt you again.”

  I so wanted to believe that was true.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  The next day I woke up at around 11:00 AM, having crashed out early after our bath. I hugged Garrett’s still form and kissed his delicious mouth, then jumped into the shower. Poking my head into my bedroom, I saw that Liam was up and out, so I dressed in jeans and a tank top and then retrieved another pair of sweatpants and a new tee from one of my drawers to loan to Liam. He was making breakfast and Ethan and Kyle were shoveling it into their mouths in record time, moaning with pleasure. I saw that he’d made his famous omelets with his secret sauce and also his just-as-famous home fried potatoes. I had to admit that I'd be eating as enthusiastically in about two minutes. But first, coffee.

  After I got myself a mug of heavy-duty caffeine and a plate of Liam’s haute cuisine, I asked, “How did the pool game go?”

  He grinned evilly. “I do not think that Sasha or Heinrich will be asking me to play again anytime soon. I do not think they realized that I can make the ball go where I want it to go.”

  “But that’s cheating.” Kyle was only pretending to be appalled. Shifter rule: Don’t annoy or anger the master chef.

  “And I suppose that they are not cheating when they use their vampire speed to move the ball when they think I am not paying attention? I only used my powers when I absolutely had to—to win.” He had his back to us but I could hear the amusement in his voice.

  “They deserved what they got." I stuffed in another forkful of delicious food. “Anyone who can cook like this should always win every game.”

  “Except Mario Kart.” Kyle mumbled with a mouth full of potatoes.

  “Or backgammon.” Piped in Ethan.

  “I’m not sure if I could manipulate Mario Kart, as it's computerized. However, I can control the rolls in a backgammon game.”

  Ethan looked worried. “Remind me not to play with you.”

  Sinc stood in the doorway and yawned. She was wearing pink plaid PJ bottoms and a sleep tank, with perfectly combed hair and a touch of makeup, just enough to look like she had none. I sighed and dug in for another bite, resigned to the fact that I wouldn’t ever look that good first thing in the morning. She sat while Ethan served her breakfast and got her a mug of coffee. As a reward she gave him a loving kiss. It must be nice to have your mate around at breakfast time. Still, I smiled, thinking that I wouldn’t trade my vampire for a million early risers.