"Whoa, NeeNee. Easy, I'm sure they did."
"But they didn't do anything about it, Xee. Until it was too late and she had to do it. She got the sleep sickness, Xee. Do you know how dangerous that is for a Changer? How that puts her at risk for it happening again? She doesn't think she mattered to them. And frankly, I can't help but wonder about it myself."
"Are you sure you're not having your own feelings about this, too?"
"Of course I am."
"Well, calm down already, sheesh. Worse than Mal, I swear." Xany shook her head and I shoved her gently.
"Am not."
"Are so." She giggled which of course calmed me down slightly.
"Not."
"So."
"Incorrigible."
"Thank you," Xany's voice sounded perky. "So back to more serious things, like the threesomes you keep having."
"Xany!"
"What?" She bat her eyelashes at me in her worst sweet and innocent act ever.
"Stop that."
"C'mon, Nee. We tell each other everything," she whined.
"We do?" I laughed softly. "Since when?" That earned me a smack in the arm. "Ouch, you brat."
"We always do!" Xany huffed and puffed through her laughing.
"Always what?" Vanessa said as she wandered sleepily into the clinic. Her hair fell heavily down her back after she ran her fingers through it.
"Always tell each other everything. Shawnee won't tell me about your threesomes," Xany said and I cringed. Vanessa's unpredictable responses had me worried.
"Why not?" Vanessa asked as she approached, nuzzling me with her cooler than usual cheek.
"Yeah, Nee, why not?" Xany grinned.
"You're so cold, baby. Do you feel sick?" I ignored both of them, placing both of my hands on Vanessa's face.
"No, just tired. We're going to Imogene's shop." She kissed my wrist then lowered my hand to her belly. The baby kicked and moved about. I smiled and waved Xany over.
"What?" she asked as I placed her hand beside mine. "Oh, wow, that's so creepy. And awesome."
"Creepy and awesome," Vanessa repeated.
"We're going to the shop now?" I asked as the baby's movements slowed.
"Yeah. Mal got a call and Caden said we all have to go together," answered Vanessa.
"Are those jerky men making you deliver their messages?" Xany asked.
"No, they're still eating your pancakes," Vanessa said.
"Hey!" Xany rushed from the clinic.
"That sounds fun." I laughed at Xany and laced my fingers with Vanessa's. "C'mon, baby. Let's go so we can get back fast."
"Why won't you tell her things?" Vanessa asked.
"She's nosey."
"Xany's always been nosey."
"Can I ask you something?" I leaned against the doorframe with Vanessa in front of me.
"Yes."
"The other night, you and me with Mal. Have we… done that before?"
"Not with Mal." She shook her head.
"I know that, baby. Have we done that before with anyone?"
"Just once. We were—"
"Drunk, yeah. I figured as much." I dropped my head against the wall, sighing. My poor choices in life robbed me of many healthy first experiences. I didn't want this to be another one.
"You like being with both of us together." A smirk tugged the corner of her mouth.
"Yeah, I do. I like our alone time, too. Do you like it?"
"Mhmm, of course. You know I do." She placed her hand on my chest where we both felt our mate bonds. Under her touch, our connection lurched happily.
"Sometimes it's nice to hear you say it."
"You, too." She nudged my forehead with hers.
We joined the others in the kitchen as Xany hoped to salvage at least a few pancakes from the ever-starving guys. She yanked a dish out from under Mal's fork and they shared a glare as she dropped his dish in the sink with a clatter.
"Why are we going to Gene's?" I asked him, interjecting before he and Xany exchanged words. Caden received the same dish-yanking treatment but he laughed it off.
"Morning, love. Gene has a guy down at the shop looking for a large quantity of hides and riding blankets. I've got the prepared hides, she's got the blankets," he explained as he picked up a fat bundle of hides from the floor.
"It must be a big sale or she wouldn't have called you," I said.
"Yes, exactly." He laughed a bit and held his free arm out to me. I linked my elbow with his and kept hold of Vanessa's hand. "We're all going to go. I think your mom and Adia are already down there."
"Is it protected like here?" Xany asked.
"Yes, though the perimeter is slightly smaller because it's in town." Caden stood and held his hand out to Xany.
"Fine but you two aren't getting lunch since you ate up all the pancakes," she said and grabbed hold of her mate. Caden placed his free hand on Vanessa's shoulder and a great yank drew us through the inbetween.
We touched down in the backroom of Imogene's shop. One of the kids squealed and Isabelle clapped. They greeted us warmly and Cote ran to embrace me straightaway. Two of the children ran around in wolf form and immediately attacked Caden's shoes. He dropped down on the floor and joined them in a romp. Xany giggled and watched gleefully as Caden shifted to his chocolatey colored wolf. As the only two Breeders in the family, Cote and Isabelle watched together.
I followed Mal to the storefront and Vanessa trailed behind us. Adia sat in the corner on the floor beside an abalone shell filled with smoldering sage. Imogene emerged from the storeroom with a stack of riding blankets.
"Morning, everyone," she said.
"Need help there, Gene?" I asked, but Mal beat me to it.
"Thanks." She brushed her hands on her skirt. "Anadaya is bringing back some hides as well."
"How many did he want?" Mal asked as he set the hides down on the counter. "I brought the usual plus the buffalo I've been holding on to."
"He said whatever we've got. He's a veterinarian and horse breeder who's picking up those abandoned horses from the old Hickory Farm. No one else could, or would, take them. Did you read the article in the paper?"
"No." All three of us responded together.
"Well that's the story. Steve got a call a few weeks ago about sickly horses on the overgrown farm. He's been looking after them until he could find someone to take them on. They'll be happy in Montana." Gene dusted off the blankets and set them out on the counter.
"What does he need the hides for?" I asked.
"I didn't ask. Maybe for the trip back." Imogene shrugged.
Vanessa wandered around the store, looking over some of the items. She picked up one of my mother's leather dolls and held it up to me. I nodded and joined her while Mal and Gene fussed over price tags.
"Just like yours," she said.
"Yeah, it's Mom's signature craft." I stroked the soft leather of the doll's dress.
"I remember." Vanessa smiled and made to pick up one of the silver and turquoise bracelets but yanked her hand back before she made contact.
"It's not silver. They're steel or other metals." I picked one up to show her. She hesitated before touching it. The bell on the shop door jingled and Gene greeted a customer in her usual cheerful manner.
"Did Mal make it?" Vanessa lowered her voice.
"Some of them."
"What's Adia doing? She hasn't moved since we got here." Vanessa glanced over my shoulder to where Adia set out beads on long strands of leather.
"No idea but whatever she's doing, she's very focused," I said.
"Maybe she's doing the thing you did in the woods," Vanessa suggested.
"Baby, I've done a lot of things in the woods." I laughed and nodded toward one of the green broom skirts on the rack beside us. "That would look nice on you."
"I'll wear it if you do."
"I don't think I've ever worn a skirt in my life," I said.
"First time for everything," she teased as we moved toward the clothing racks
at the front of the store.
"You're a generous woman, Imogene. It's a blessing on this old man's heart," the familiar voice had me frozen in place.
"The horses will need them as they grow," Gene said.
"And what have you? A buffalo skin?" The man said. My stomach began to swirl as my father's voice invaded my mind, blurring my vision.
I'll always be with you. You'll never forget me, you stupid little—
"Shawnee," Vanessa's voice and the tug she gave my arm pulled me back to present.
"Sorry, I—"
"Taken from the sacred animal only after his time was met," Mal said.
"Good man," my father said. "I'm grateful for all you've done. The horses will appreciate it."
"Steven is bringing by the remainder of the feed," Imogene said.
You useless piece of—
"Bless his soul for taking care of them. They wouldn't have survived without him," my father spoke inside my head and outside, making my heart slam in my ears. The panic shot through me like searing acid, strangling my throat. Vanessa gripped my arm but I shook her off and shot through the display of wool overcoats. I had to get out, get away.
Mal stood beside the counter, his lips pursed firmly as he reacted to my fear. Imogene kept her focus on the customer whose back was to me. Everyone was calm except me. I had finally lost it. Adia remained in the corner, mumbling under her breath. Imogene glanced away from her customer shooting me a "what are you doing?" look. Vanessa stood beside me, just as still and calm as the others. The echoes seemed to quiet when I could see both of my mates, settling the panic that threatened to overtake me.
"You'll…" Gene drew her gaze back to the customer beside Mal. The brim of the man's cowboy hat jutted out nearly as much as his rounded belly. "You'll be able to fix the wound on the male's hip then?"
"Not to worry, Imogene. They'll both be all right. A wildcat might've taken a bite out of him. But better that part of the flank then the lower leg," the man spoke in my father's voice.
You're losing it, Shawnee, get a grip. I grabbed my shirt, attempting to control my breathing. Mal moved away from the counter and over to me. His response drew everyone's attention to me. The man turned, the heel of his boot clicking on the wood floor.
"Shawnee?" Imogene's voice raised an octave and over her shoulder, I saw Xany appear in the doorway.
The man stared at me, his soft brown eyes held nothing but concern. Images of my father’s face flashed before my eyes, replacing the man's brown eyes with my father's black. The man's teeth cracked and yellowed as he laughed at me. My vision swirled as Mal and Vanessa held on to me.
I'll kill you and I'll kill your—
"Anadaya?" My father's breathless voice said my mother’s name as he stared at me. The man's soft, plump features returned, blurring out my father's.
"Shawnee, what's the matter?" Mal's panic-stricken voice pierced my haze as my mate bonds thrashed inside my chest, demanding calmness or explanation.
"My father… that's him, he's my…" I gasped for breath.
The man's brows lifted immediately and he took a step away. The response in the room was immediate. Mal snarled. Caden leapt over the counter, grabbing the man by the back of the shirt. Xany ducked under the guys and grabbed me around the middle. Imogene bowed away from the counter and closed the door to the back room where the children played.
"Anadaya?" My father's voice sounded desperate even while in Caden's death grip.
"No!" I heard Vanessa shout, releasing her hold on me.
"Easy, NeeNee." Xany backed me away from the scene. The moment her skin touched mine, warmth poured over me like soothing honey down an irritated throat. My hazy vision cleared almost immediately but sobs still choked me.
"That's not her father! That's not him," Vanessa shouted above the growling wolves. The man's gaze remained locked on me.
"NeeNee..." Xany cupped my face, drawing my gaze away from the others. "You're okay. Can you see me?"
"It's him," I whispered, holding on to Xany's arms with trembling hands.
"You're safe, NeeNee. No one's going to hurt you here," Xany words continued to pour comforting waves over my shoulders.
"Let him go, Caden," said Vanessa. "It's not him."
"I can smell him," Caden's words mingled heavily with a guttural, murderous growl.
"You're smelling wrong. Let go," Vanessa's words were much more forceful the second time. Feet shuffled behind Xany and I glanced over her shoulder to see Caden releasing the man. Mal stood beside Vanessa, his rage settled quicker than Caden's. The man picked his hat up off the floor, seemingly unfazed by the violence and growling as he looked over at me again. Caden's shoulders remained broad and threatening.
"Her eyes. I'm sorry, she looks just like my..." My father's voice said and I nearly screamed. Xany cupped her hands over my ears when she realized it was the sound of him that freaked me out.
"Don't listen, NeeNee," she said as I held on to her as if my life depended on it.
The door beside us flung open, slamming into the wall behind it. My mother pushed her way between Xany and me. Her eyes searching my face. Only sobs met my lips when I tried to speak.
"Take her outside," she said to Xany. "Right now."
Xany nodded as my mother shoved me into her arms. The entry bell crashed to the floor when my mother closed the door behind us. Xany and I stood alone on the sidewalk as I tried to get a hold of myself.
"It's all right, NeeNee. You're okay." Xany rubbed my back.
"That's him." I sobbed against her shoulder.
"No, Nee, it's not. Vanessa said so. She would know best, right?" Xany pressed her cheek against my forehead.
"No. No one knows anything." I shot up so suddenly that Xany gripped my arms to steady herself. "My mother's in here! He'll kill her, he'll call them again, Xee!" I cried out and Xany grabbed me, pressing me firmly back against the building.
"Shawnee! Listen to me right now." She jostled me, shaking me by my arms. "Your father is dead. You know it, Vanessa knows it, and so does your mother and every other spirit talker we know. That man…" She pointed toward the door. "Is not your father."
"He's…"
"No, Shawnee."
"But I…"
"No. If he was, don't you think your mother would've killed him herself by now? If he was, wouldn't Vanessa be the first one to kill him?" Xany's words made sense and it helped to clear my focus. I nodded and again tried to control my breathing.
"He's not…"
"Not your father. Your father is dead."
"I heard him, Xee."
"Echoes. You told me that a hundred years ago." She was right. I leaned my head against the cool bricks and closed my eyes for a moment. After a few deep breaths, Xany let up her grip on me. I looked back at her and she nodded. "Are you back now?"
"Yeah, I'm—" From over her shoulder, I watched a woman in a white hooded parka cross the street. She leaned her shoulder against the wall connecting the alleyway between the ice cream shop and restaurant, and looked in our direction. The midday sun reflected off her black sunglasses. A wicked grin curled her bright red lips, pulling them back enough to reveal a fang-filled smile. "Ileana." I choked.
"What?"
"There, behind you." I grabbed Xany's arms and began moving her back toward the door.
"She can't get us. The perimeter is protected." Xany turned around, frowning at the leech.
"She did this. She brought my father back from the dead."
"No, Nee. She's not a necromancer, she's a vampire," Xany said, moving with my urging. She gripped the door and pulled it open.
"You bitch!" I shouted in Ileana's direction.
She tossed her head back, giggling hysterically. Her laughter echoed through the street as she skipped into the shadows of the alley.
"The leech is outside!" Xany announced once we were back inside Imogene's shop. She had a death grip on my arm, preventing me from bolting across the street.
Mal and Vanes
sa raced past us and I screamed for them when they disappeared behind the door.
"Let me go!" I shouted but Xany continued to restrain me.
"Caden," Xany called for him when she'd nearly lost hold of me. Caden grabbed me around the middle and pulled me away from the door. My screams filled Imogene's shop, flooded my own mind, and deafened the voices around me. I thrashed against Caden, fighting him with strength I didn't know I had. Flashes of my father's face flooded my field of vision. Memories of Ileana's pitch black leech-surrounded basement, the lash of the whip on my back, Dugan hurting Vanessa, Robbie, and silver chainmail burning my mother's flesh overcame me. I cried and kicked, scratched and lashed out at him. Caden dropped us both to the floor as he restrained me. A second set of hands touched me. I thought I heard my mother's voice but I couldn't tell if it came from inside me or out.
Run, Shawnee! my mother says.
You stupid little bitch, my father says.
She's mine, Dugan says.
I will see you at the fall, Ileana says.
Still, Caden's voice commanded.
My muscles weakened and no longer responded to my will.
Sleep.
A deep wave of drowsiness pressed on my eyelids. I called for my mates. A door snapped shut in the distance as the heavy hand of sleep dragged me downward into a wistful pool.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
"Wake her up, Caden," Mal sounded like he was under water, or maybe I was under water.
"She'll wake up fighting," said Vanessa, sounding equally submerged.
"How do you know that?" asked Mal.
"I've seen her like that before, Mal. Have you?" Vanessa spoke.
"No," his restraint evident in the single word. "What should we do then?"
"Release the command and let her wake up on her own," said Vanessa.
Icy lake water rushed over my skin as I swam. Reeds and fish tickled my feet as I approached the rock at the center. Smooth stones met my fingertips when I grazed the lakebed. The need for air drew me upward where waves of sunlight cascaded along the surface. I gasped and breached the surface, opening my eyes. My body dropped down on the sofa beneath me as someone gave me a gentle squeeze. Vanessa pressed her cheek against mine as the memory of my mate’s conversation met my conscious. Don't fight.
Bound (Legacy Series Book 4) Page 28
