The Quick and the Fevered

by Long, Heather

  “I don’t appreciate being ambushed.” Mitchell’s hands were on his sister’s shoulders but something in the way he stood, his speech—even the look in his eyes—was off from his earlier manner.

  I see it. Jason assured her.

  Shoulder to shoulder with Mitchell, Royce seemed to assess each of them as though trying to determine from which direction the threat would come. He settled his focus on Jason.

  “Enough,” Sam said, speaking into the quiet. “We apologize for the ambush, however, we did not think this a conversation to have in town. You’re very accomplished liars and we are willing to give you the benefit of the doubt as you have committed no crimes and do not appear to have the intention of doing so. That said, you’re in our town. If you’re hiding from a threat, it’s our business.”

  “We did not bring a threat with us,” Mitchell said. “If you had these concerns, you could have brought them up with me.”

  “So you could lie again?” Jason challenged. They are using contact to block us. The information flowed through her.

  “I believe we’ve overstayed our welcome,” Jenny said softly, as though she like Jed earlier, sought to defuse the situation. “It was lovely to meet you ladies.”

  “Yes, thank you for the meal.” Mitchell pulled his sister’s chair back, but he never dropped his contact with her. The stiffness in their manner, they expected attack.

  “Scarlett,” Kid said quietly. “Can you show them they are not alone in being different?”

  Sam frowned, but Scarlett held out her hand and fire plumed from her palm to dance out to her fingertips and back again.

  Mitchell jerked. The animosity in Royce’s expression drained away, leaving only shock.

  “You’re not alone in having secrets.” Kid’s manner never grew contentious. The wave of calm sweeping through the room lapped around her, but didn’t quite pass the wall Jason erected between she and the room. “We can help you, but we need to know what you’re running from and why.”

  “You have no idea.” Anger scraped along the bottom of Mitchell’s words. “Your sorcery doesn’t interest us.”

  “Sorcery?” Olivia couldn’t help it. The word escaped. “They don’t have magic, no matter how magical it seems. Magic isn’t real.”

  “Magic is very real,” Jenny replied, and her eyes glowed. A breeze that shouldn’t be in the house rustled her hair and between one heartbeat and the next she seemed different. More. Jason’s hand tightened against hers.

  “Jenny.” Mitchell snapped her name.

  “No,” she turned on her brother. “No more running. They knew something was different about us and they’ve had multiple opportunities to harm us. If they’d wanted that, we wouldn’t be sitting at this table or dining with them.” She turned her attention to Royce. “You read Mrs. Kane, I know you felt something and saw something when you touched her. Was it malice? Or threat?”

  Mitchell glared at their brother, but Royce shook his head slowly. “Not at first,” he answered, his gaze tracking back to Olivia’s. “Curiosity. Caution. Compassion. Only after I read her aura did I feel a threat.” He transferred his attention to Jason. “From him. He didn’t like me touching her or trying to read her.”

  “No,” Jason said. “Don’t do it again.”

  Royce raised his hands, palms forward. “We mean no harm. I didn’t mean to read her, but I was curious about this dinner invitation and she seemed the most open of everyone at the table.”

  Uncertain of whether he meant it as a compliment or curse, Olivia ignored the description. “What are you?”

  The three said nothing.

  Jed cleared his throat. “Miss Molly would have my hide for treating guests in her home this way, gentleman—ma’am. Please, take a seat and share dessert. We can have coffee and you can get to know us.”

  “Why is this so important to all of you?” Suspicion filled his eyes. The silence elongated as they ignored Jed’s request.

  “Because the last time strangers with powers came Dorado—the town died.” Her parents among them, but she kept her personal grief to herself.

  “One of those strangers was my first husband,” Jo spoke and the firm conviction in her voice had an unexpected effect. Mitchell’s frown eased. “He wanted to kill everyone, including me. Everyone in this room has suffered a loss of some kind. We do not dislike you nor question you because you are merely strangers. We do so because you harbor a secret and you are running. I’ve run before. I see it in her, and in all of you. The way you don’t want to be in one place and the suspicion of even a kind offer.”

  “We protect our town and we protect our people,” Sam added. “All three of you are part of our town.”

  “Trust has to begin somewhere,” Kid summarized. “Let us help you.”

  “It’s time to stop running,” Jason said.

  Jenny still gazed at her brothers. They’d won her to their cause. Royce looked somewhat mollified, while Mitchell remained troubled.

  “Son,” Jed drew Mitchell’s attention to him. “I’m an old man, it’s time to decide or to go. If you go, you leave Dorado. I don’t cotton to sending your sister out there to run again and I don’t expect you do either. You are our guests, so the choice is yours.”

  Olivia bit her lip. Would they go? Would they stay?

  Finally, Mitchell glanced at her. “Apple crumb cake, you said?”

  The tension in the room eased, and Olivia smiled. “Quite so.” After squeezing Jason’s hand, she said. “Shall I fetch the dessert?”

  “Yes please, Olivia.”

  Jenny resumed her seat and one by one Mitchell and Royce returned to theirs. They hadn’t learned the truth, but the dangerous moment of opposition seemed to have passed. Olivia escaped to the kitchen to fetch cake, Evelyn right behind her with Scarlett.

  After the cake is served, would you be offended if I asked you to excuse yourself?

  Olivia uncovered the cake and paused. Jason, do we need to have another fight?

  She could almost hear the smile in his voice when he said. That threat would work better if I didn’t enjoy making up with you.

  Laughing, she gathered the dessert plates to add to the tray with the cake. Well I promise we can argue later. I’d rather stay—unless you truly feel I’m a distraction for you.

  Always, but you are the distraction I welcome and crave.

  Warmed by his response, she carried the tray to the dining room. Do you think she meant it when she said magic is real?

  Unfortunately. He didn’t sound pleased. When she delivered the cake, she set it next to Jed for cutting and passing around. Keeping her distance from the McKennas, she circled back to Jason. She didn’t worry about their reaction, but his. The unknown sat in their dining room and he’d never been fond of factors he couldn’t define.

  Scarlett and Evelyn returned with the hot drinks. Normally the men would excuse themselves for a brandy, but Olivia didn’t see anyone leaving the women alone from either family. Reclaiming her seat, she held Jason’s hand. Meeting Jenny’s gaze across the table she gave her an encouraging smile. “They really don’t bite, even when they yell.”

  The other woman laughed and ignored her brother’s frown. “You don’t have brothers, do you?”

  “Yes she does,” Micah, Sam and Kid said almost at the same time and the laughter rolled around the table with enough humor to soften Jason’s expression. One step at a time, they could get through this meal and perhaps forge new a new alliance.

  Or the McKennas won’t be leaving the ranch.

  Whether the thought was hers or Jason’s, she wasn’t sure, but she leaned on the side of him not having to kill again.

  “You asked what we were,” Jenny began, puncturing the silence. Mitchell made a grumbling sound, but Jenny waved him off. “Do you mind if I ask what you all are, first?”

  “Fevered,” Kid answered. “Not all of us in the room, but many. And you?”

  Jason’s fingers tightened against Olivia’s a half second b
efore Jenny spoke. He’d read her answer before she said it aloud. “We’re witches.”

  Cody, The Flying K

  The babies slept, though Molly refused to settle until Mariska cradled her. Miss Annabeth said sometimes babies just needed holding. The older woman had gone to sleep in the other room leaving Cody to keep watch. Anthony and Ben were tucked in to sleep on either side of Mariska wearing both their wolf and cat forms. If not for Cody forcing the issue some days, both boys would be content to stay in their animal forms.

  He understood, and had been the same way at their age. Inside his wolf seemed to rub against him, the fur ruffling under his skin. Two minds, but one soul, and they understood each other very well. The only thing missing from the picture was Jimmy, his best friend and his brother. Rising, he prowled on quiet feet. The McKennas were at the house for supper, and he’d heard no sounds of screaming or explosions.

  Hopefully it boded well for the events. He didn’t care for strangers on the ranch, but his mate was safely away from any potential threat. Kid and Jason rarely agreed on any issue immediately. Yet with regard to the McKennas, they’d presented a united front. Enough Cody accepted the need for the Kanes to take the lead on the issue.

  Removing the babies had simply been a precaution and he was more than happy to keep watch over all of them. After adding a log to the wood stove and making a short circuit of the cabin, he settled in to wait. A light sleeper, no one would get near the cabin without him being aware of it.

  The raw twilight filtering through the room told him his father was coming. Cody frowned and glanced toward Mariska. She slept, undisturbed, the baby settled safely in her arms. Not immediately seeing his father, Cody frowned.

  All the twilight began to gather into one place and the old Indian appeared, his worn and lined face crinkling into a smile.

  “Come outside, son. You’ll be happier if you can see what approaches while you’re in the dreaming.” His father knew him well. Stepping away from his dozing form, he passed through the wall and onto the wooden porch. Around them, night draped the Flying K in a peaceful wrap.

  Though slow, Quanto settled onto the porch with a grace Cody remembered well from his childhood. Little ever seemed to perturb the man and though he bore many scars, including the remnants of when Scarlett burned him as a child, he’d never shown them anything other than kindness, patience, and unending wisdom.

  “It is good to see you,” Cody scanned the area. “Buck is with you, yes?”

  “On the mountain, yes, I brought him home for a few nights. He will return to all of you soon. Have no fear.”

  “It wasn’t fear I experienced.” Although knowing Buck and Delilah were safe allowed his irritation to bloom.

  “No, I imagine not. You have never cared to have those you love out of reach.” His sympathy softened the chastising remark.

  “I like our family safe. Jimmy’s out there alone and then Buck disappearing. Doesn’t sit right.”

  “I understand. You have always been this way, since the moment I found you in the swamp.”

  Memory flared at the mention. Starving, filthy and wary, he’d not looked kindly on the Indian when he made his appearance. Avoiding him had been his plan, but the man returned day after day, and eventually starvation pushed him to accept the food he offered.

  “You’ve always been patient with me.”

  “You’ve always been worth the patience. Even at your worst and your most stubborn.” His surprise at the compliment must have shown for Quanto chuckled. “I am proud of you Cody. You mastered your wolf, found a woman worthy of you and made her your mate, then you worked hard to help her unite with her wolf. You support your brothers without question or objection. You love your sister and followed her to keep her safe, even when it cut out your heart. You are one of my greatest joys.”

  The wolf inside him went predator still and Cody studied his father, truly seeing him for the first time in years. Age had left its mark on him, only his eyes remained as bright as ever. “Why does this feel like goodbye?”

  “Because I will not see another summer, my son. I wanted you to know, you will always have my love and my affection. I am proud of you. Proud of the work you do and the family you are building.”

  Pain squeezed his soul and he reached out until their hands clasped. “I am not ready to say goodbye to you.”

  “You are more ready than you know. You do not need me, Cody. You have learned to own your choices, to make amends when it is necessary and to dig in and fight for what you know to be true. You have made this ranch your home and extended our family in the process. You will be fine, my son. You have the strength, the knowledge, and the will. No more can I teach you.”

  Finding it hard to breathe, Cody bowed his head. “Father…”

  “I know.” Quanto placed a hand on the back of his head. “Be a good father to your children. Be a good man to your wife. Be good to yourself.”

  So harsh was the emotion, Cody could barely breathe around it. He lifted his gaze and met Quanto’s eyes. “Thank you for finding me.” What else could he say?

  With a benevolent smile, Quanto squeezed his shoulder. “Tell me the stories of your children. I would know them before I go.”

  Grateful for the time, Cody told him everything.

  Chapter 16

  Blue, Near Kiowa Apache Territory

  The town of Broken Sky proved to be as unwelcoming as the name. From the moment Jimmy led them into the prairie town, the inhabitants glared at her with suspicion and open hostility. Two days of hard riding brought them across the plains without incident, though they’d cold camped the last two nights, bundling together for warmth. The horses were worse for wear, and needed a warm night, sheltered from the wind and a day off from their hectic pace.

  At the stable, Jimmy had nearly negotiated a price when they’d come outside and the owner had taken one look at her and refused them. “I don’t deal with the damn dirty injuns, you go on. All of you.”

  At the General Store, she’d told him she would stay outside. Their reception was even frostier. The owner refused to sell him anything he thought might be for her. The weight of so much anger weighed upon her.

  “Jimmy,” she murmured. “You will be able to do the things you wish if I am not here.”

  “To hell with them,” Jimmy said, and his voice rose as he met the level stare of anyone looking. “There’s another town about ten miles away, I’ll spend my gold there.” Tension threaded his every movement. Stroking the sweat soaked neck of her horse, she murmured a small chant one for energy and revitalization. The gelding was a gentle animal and despite the severe mistreatment he’d received from his previous riders, he assisted her without hesitation or reservation.

  “Wait,” a woman called as Jimmy checked the girth on his horse. He dropped a hand to his Colt as the woman with a bad limp hurried toward them carrying a basket. Older than all of them, the careworn lines on her face suggested a wealth of hard living. Sadness etched the corners of her eyes and she fumbled for a smile. “Thank you for waiting.” Though breathless, she smoothed down her dark skirt and met each of their gazes, before focusing on Jimmy.

  Shane circled his horse and came to a stop just a foot away from Blue. She recognized the posture, he was preparing to protect her. A close study of the woman revealed she was older than Blue initially guessed, maybe forty or fifty summers. At some point, the time spent on earth wore away at a person and honed them to the exactness of who they were meant to be. A miasma of illness and grief cast a pall over the woman.

  “I want to apologize for the town, we’ve had several raids,” she said, speaking so swiftly Blue couldn’t quite grasp all the words. The way she accented her words gave some harsher syllables than others. She cast an apologetic look toward Blue, and since it lacked all of the hostility of the other town occupants’ glares, Blue took no offense. “They killed my husband a few weeks ago when he tried to make peace, folk around here don’t want peace anymore.”

&nbs
p; Jimmy translated and Blue’s heart filled with sympathy for the woman. Using three fingers, Blue mimed stripes down her face. “Did they wear paint in this fashion?”

  After Jimmy repeated the question, the woman shook her head. “I don’t know. I was hiding.” She made a shame faced look and Jimmy’s expression gentled. Even Shane’s guarded expression turned sympathetic.

  “You did the right thing, ma’am.” The assurance and comfort in Jimmy’s voice translated cleanly even if Blue didn’t grasp all of the words.

  “Thank you,” she shifted uncomfortably under their gazes, then held out the basket. “It’s not much, but I packed it with some dried meat, a wheel of cheese, some bread, and what was left of the apples.”

  The kindness in her gesture couldn’t be overlooked. Jimmy translated Blue’s thanks, and added his own. What the woman said next was a tumble of words, and again the odd accent disrupted Blue’s understanding. Jimmy frowned, and slid a glance to her. Confusion marked Shane’s response, but he shrugged his shoulders.

  “The woman—Mrs. Davis—wants to ride with us as far as Balch Spring.” His neutral tone was a dead giveaway. He did not like the idea.

  “It won’t be safe,” Blue answered, keeping her tone as neutral as his. For the past two days, she’d tried to educate him on the way of the Blood, what it meant, and what she could do. The more they discussed it, however, the more certain she was she and Jimmy communicated in the language of the spirits—not Cheyenne or his white man’s English. It made translating from Cheyenne to English and back again more difficult. Shane helped, but she was a long way from mastering their language. “We do not know how many pursue.”

  He’d cited the same argument to keep her from going eagle and scouting ahead. Though after this stop, she would need to verify the man he hunted remained on the same path. Understanding why he could speak the language of the spirits didn’t take a lot of thought, she’d marked him with her blood and it kindled. How long would it last? Was it permanent? She couldn’t say.