“She wouldn’t have been able to resist him. Poor thing. But who do you think is the devil?”
“I thought you might know.”
“No. By coming home, I hoped I might see his face or think of a person on the ranch who might fit the description. I’ll meditate and see if I can bring forth a picture or name.”
“Perhaps if we meditated together, we’d have better success,” Kira suggested.
“What a good idea. After we finish our snack, we’ll go in the living room by the fireplace and see what we can conjure.”
Kira took her time sipping the delicious tea. Warmth filled her body, and she felt more centered. The orange cake with a drizzle of icing satisfied her sweet tooth.
When Nanna stood and took their cups and plates to the sink, Kira knew it was time to try and see the evil person behind the poisonings.
Nanna put two cushions on the floor by the fire. They sat, and she reached out to Kira. “We’ll join our hands and close our eyes. Then try to visualize who this person is or something about him.”
As soon as their hands came together, Kira felt the bolt of energy flowing between them. She closed her eyes. At first a rush of darkness swept across her. In the distance, she heard Nanna humming an old chant. Every once in a while she admonished the darkness to clear and let them see the evil.
The darkness swirled around them, and Nanna spoke the words of another spell to protect them from the evil. Kira had almost given up when the blackness turned to gray. Then a figure formed into a woman. She stood in the open, away from any house or building, and she looked confused. Her blonde hair shone in the dim sunlight, but gradually she faded to gray.
Suddenly, an unseen force thrust Kira and Nanna apart, and Kira fell backward from Nanna. “Keep out of my world, or I’ll destroy you both.” The words were spoken in a guttural and harsh manner. Yet Kira thought they sounded vaguely familiar. She opened her eyes and saw Nanna lying still on the floor. She rushed to her side.
“Nanna, Nanna.” She didn’t respond to Kira, but at least she was breathing.
Kira punched in the number for Hakan. Thank goodness, he’d put it in her phone yesterday.
“Hakan here.”
“Hakan, I’m with Nanna. She’s passed out and not responding.”
“Is she breathing?”
“Yes. We were meditating, but I’ll tell you later. Come quickly.”
“Lonato’s here with me. We’ll come in his helo and be there in minutes.” He shut off his phone.
She glanced back at Nanna. Her lips were turning blue, and when Kira touched her, Nanna’s skin felt cold. Kira ran into the bedroom and grabbed a pillow and blanket off the bed. She placed the pillow under Nanna’s head and wrapped the blanket tight around her. Then Kira lay beside Nanna and added her body heat.
“Please get here soon,” she mumbled softly to reassure herself. I never should have let her take the chance of being hurt. I knew he was a powerful evil. Guilt made her heart heavy.
She sighed with relief when she heard the helicopter landing. Hakan and Lonato ran into the house carrying medical bags and equipment.
Hakan gently pushed Kira out of the way. Lonato was placing an oxygen mask over Nanna’s nose, and Hakan listened to her heart.
“Tell us exactly what happened,” Lonato said.
“We were meditating, trying to see who Gala’s devil was and what he looked like. Nanna was chanting spells to keep the evil from us, but he got through and thrust against us hard. I fell back. When I got up, I found Nanna like that.”
“Damn, what were you thinking to let an old woman take such a chance.” Lonato snarled at her.
“Stop, Lonato.” Hakan frowned at him. “It wasn’t her fault. You know Nanna would have insisted and done it alone if Kira hadn’t agreed to join her. Then she’d be lying here without being able to get help.”
“And I am not an old woman,” a frail voice interrupted them.
“Nanna.” Kira knelt at her side. Tears ran down her face.
“It’s all right, my dear.” She touched Kira’s cheek. “I’m fine. Such occurrences do take a bit more out of me these days. But with some rest, I’ll be back to normal by tomorrow.”
“You’ll get the rest at the hospital, Nanna,” Hakan informed her. “And with lines attached to your chest to monitor your heart.”
Nanna frowned and stared steadily back at him. Hakan didn’t blink. Finally, a faint smile crossed her lips. “You were always a determined little boy and usually got your way without a fight. I will go for tonight, but”—she shook her finger at him—“Lonato will fly me home tomorrow.”
“No.” Kira took her hand. “It’s too dangerous for you to be here alone until this is over. You will stay at the main ranch house where he can’t reach you.”
“And what about you?” Nanna asked.
“I am the most able to take him down.” She saw Hakan and Lonato start to speak. “Don’t say a word. I have to do this.”
“Let’s get Nanna to the hospital.” Hakan waited while Lonato went to get the stretcher. “Where can we take you, Kira?”
“I’m driving to Sahale’s cabin. Don’t try to change my mind. I have to think and prepare. If I don’t win this battle against this evil monster, he will kill many of our people and soon.”
Hakan leaned forward and kissed her lips. “Try to be careful.”
“Always.” When she looked toward the door, she saw Lonato standing in the entrance with a forlorn expression on his face. Something about his expression pulled at her heart. She’d caught him in an unguarded moment. She got up and went to him. She cupped his hard, chiseled cheeks between her hands and kissed his mouth. “I’ll stay safe.”
He nodded and then walked around her to put Nanna on the stretcher. Kira watched as they loaded her onto the helicopter.
Nanna waved to her. “Lock up my house. I’ll be sending protection your way.”
“Behave, Nanna, and rest,” Hakan playfully scolded her. He and Nanna waved as the helo took off. But Lonato only looked at her silently before the helicopter zoomed off across the blue sky.
Kira did as Nanna said. She checked the kitchen, put the orange cake away, made sure the stove was off, and locked all the windows down. In the bedroom, she packed a case of clothes for Nanna. Then put out the fire and finally was ready to drive onward.
It didn’t take long to get to Sahale’s cabin. Kira took in the few items she’d brought with her and the small amount of food and drink. She checked the windows and locked the door then lay on the couch. Would he come at her while she slept? Nanna’s spells had not kept him away. Kira cast her strongest cover around her. She hadn’t thought it was needed with Nanna’s skills, but she’d underestimated his abilities.
Once she was sure the golden net surrounded the cabin and her, Kira let herself drift into sleep.
A dark-brown wolf ran through the woods, calling her name. Kira, in her flaming bird persona, perched on the limb of a tree straight in front of him. He looked up, and his red eyes sizzled with hate.
“I’ll get you. My power is stronger than yours. I know who you are, and you have no idea of my identity. I heard the fool said I was the devil. I rather like that description.” His laughter hurt her ears. Gearing up all her energy, she shot fire from her feathers at him. He tried to dart out of the way, but she smelled his singed fur as he ran from sight.
Kira woke and looked around the room. Nothing was out of place, and she didn’t smell the burn. It must have been a dream. He hadn’t managed to break through her magical net.
Chapter Seven
Kira got up and made herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She poured a glass of milk and went back to the bedroom to watch the wild horses while she ate.
Below, she spotted the black mustang and his mares running down the length of the canyon. His back muscles rippled, and his thick mane blew in the wind. He represented the epitome of being free. She wanted to shift and fly, but this might not be the best time
.
Surprisingly, she was still a bit tired. She’d never used her skills as much as she had in the last few days. And she had not needed to give blood before. She had stored some of hers at the third tribe’s other headquarters, but not recently. The bed did look inviting. She’d just lie down for a half hour or so.
The noise of helicopter blades woke her. Outside the window the sun was setting. She sat up and stretched. The noise stopped. Whoever it was had landed nearby. She instinctively knew the identity of her visitor, but she went to look out the front windows anyway.
Lonato had gotten out of his helicopter and gone to the opposite side. He grabbed two bags and walked toward the cabin. She might have known he wouldn’t leave her alone. He’d never know the relief she felt. Kira waited at the screen door to greet him.
“You couldn’t stay away.”
“No, I never intended to, but I had duties to take care of at the hospital or I’d have been here sooner.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“And start an unnecessary argument? You wouldn’t have dissuaded me.”
“I suppose not. You’re used to getting your way. Come on in.”
As he walked by her to the kitchen, she caught that slight curve of his lips again. She followed him and watched as he unloaded the bags. He put the cold food in the refrigerator and the rest in the cabinets.
“Have you eaten?” His gray eyes gave her a quick once-over. “You’re too thin.”
“I am not, and yes, I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Plus I drank a glass of milk. It was a nourishing lunch.”
“Go rest. I’ll cook you a full meal and call you when it’s ready.”
“I’ve been resting since I got here.”
His hand cupped the side of her face. “You could use more.” Bending down, he brushed his lips across her mouth, then he turned her, swatted her behind, and pointed her in the direction of the bedroom.
She returned to bed certain she couldn’t sleep. The next thing she knew, Lonato stood in the doorway.
“It’s almost ready. If you hurry, you can shower before dinner.”
Kira got up and opened her case to get out clean clothes. Lonato hadn’t moved. “Go. You can’t watch.”
He definitely chuckled when he turned away. She was sure she heard him. Maybe she’d make her goal this evening to see him laugh. Obviously, he was out of practice.
The cool water refreshed her. Then, dressed in clean jeans, a purple silk shirt, and low-heeled shoes, she was ready, except for her hair. She brushed it and left it down. Following the enticing scents, she strolled into the kitchen.
“You look better,” he said, turning to study her. “I like purple on you.” He went back to his cooking. “Sit at the table. I’ll get you a glass of wine and have this ready in a few minutes.”
When he moved to the refrigerator, she admired his muscular body and cute ass. She quickly looked out the window when he turned.
“I felt your stare. You can look at me all you want. I intend to enjoy observing your assets, too.” He poured her a glass of Chablis and handed it to her.
Their fingers touched, and a sizzle of warmth ran up her arm. Kira jerked her hand back. His gray eyes had darkened. He had felt something, too, but he covered it well.
In minutes he had placed a platter of cut-up baked chicken and fresh vegetables, arranged in an attractive manner, on the table. From the fridge, he pulled out salads topped with a citrus dressing. Kira took one bite and moaned.
“This is so good. Did you make the dressing yourself?”
“Yes. I’d made plenty last night and brought some with me.”
“How is Nanna doing? I’ve been so sleepy I forgot to ask.”
“She’s fine, and she insisted on going home with Sahale. They’ll watch over her.”
“Thank goodness. She’s really a treasure.”
“Yes, to all of us.”
They ate the rest of the meal in a companionable silence. She’d been hungrier than she thought. At last, she pushed her plate to the side.
“Where did you learn to cook like this? Hakan said you were a top chef.”
“I took a course. Cooking relaxes me. At home I’d have music playing and be in another world for a while.”
“I’m sure your job has to be stressful. How did you end up choosing neurosurgery?”
“There’s a saying that jobs or the right people find you. I was going to be a radiologist. Then I did my clinical rotation in surgery and found I was good at it.” He leaned back in his chair and stared at the darkened window. “I was a resident in surgery, and one day a child came in with an injury to his head. I assisted with his operation. As I watched the surgeon, I realized I could see a better, less destructive way to repair the damage.
“Luckily Jake, the surgeon, knew me and trusted my instincts. He accepted my suggestion, and working together we saved the child. He had only a very slight weakness in his left leg. With rehab and time, it strengthened.”
Those enchanting eyes of his smiled at Kira, and her heart was touched. “Is that when you decided on your specialty?”
“I knew before we’d finished the surgery. I love my work, but I am hard on staff if they’re careless or don’t follow orders. In the operating room, we have to be our very best.”
“I’ve heard you are hard on the people you work with out of the operating room. Is it arrogance?”
“What do you think?”
“I’m withholding judgment until I know you better.”
“Thanks. I’ll clean up the dishes. Go sit by the fire.”
“Oh no, I’m going to help.” She took both plates and rinsed them off. “Does Sahale have dish soap?”
“I brought some.”
The idea of this stern, talented doctor remembering dish soap sent her into gales of laughter. He stood with the soap bottle in his hand and a confused look on his face.
She tried to explain. “You holding the bottle”—laughter bubbled up before she could finish—“I’m sorry.” Finally, getting better control, she turned on the water. “You can wash and I’ll dry.”
He didn’t say much as he cleaned each dish and glass methodically. Kira feared she had hurt his feelings. Underneath the appearance of being harsh, stubborn, and strong, she suspected he had a soft center, like her favorite candies. She started to smile at the thought, but straightened her face when he glanced in her direction.
“What is so funny about me?” He scowled down at her.
“Why can’t you relax? This isn’t surgery. The dishes don’t have to be sterile. You don’t have to be perfect.”
“That’s ridiculous. I never said I was perfect.” He let the water out of the sink and hung the dishcloth on a bar fastened to the wall. Then he stomped into the living room.
Kira dried the last dish and put it away. Apparently, she’d hit on a sensitive nerve. Lonato was a puzzle. She planned to find all the pieces and put him back together. Finally, she understood what her mother noticed. But was she brave enough to challenge him? Yes, the thought excites me, and I think the reward will be worth the trouble.
In the living room, Lonato had built up the fire and sat at one end of the sofa. Kira poured the coffee he’d made and took both their cups into the room.
“Here.” She handed his cup to him. “Sorry I upset you. I’m only trying to get to know you.”
“I’m not a very open person. Hakan knows me best.”
“If, as you say, I’m the wife for you two, then shouldn’t I be the one to know you the very best?”
“I’m reconsidering. We may not be such a good match.”
Kira sat on the opposite end of the couch. She didn’t believe him. He was trying to discount the evening they’d just shared. Challenging him, she asked, “Then why did you fly out here to protect me?”
“You were being foolish. I don’t want to see anyone else get hurt by this bastard.”
“Such language, Doctor.” She grinned when s
he saw him clench his jaw. Something inside her made her keep baiting him. She stretched her legs out until her feet were against his side. He pretended not to notice, but she saw him take a deep breath.
“I had a strange dream last night. You were in it.”
Lonato turned to look at her. “Really? Tell me about it.”
He took one foot in his hand and began to massage her instep, her heel, and then proceeded to her ankle.
Desire flashed in her lower abdomen. She was getting hot. It was hard to remember what she’d wanted to say.
“I thought I heard you tell Hakan that you’d changed your mind about me. Me being the Flaming Beauty didn’t fit in with the meek wife you had in mind.”
“Then you probably heard that I want a wife at home taking care of our children.”
“What a chauvinist you are, Lonato.”
His hands moved from her feet to caress her legs. Her heart pounded in her chest.
“Why do you call me Lonato?”
“I like your name. ‘Rex’ is too harsh.”
“Lonato means ‘flint.’ Many people think I was aptly named.”
“You want to represent your name, but I suspect you’re a marshmallow inside.”
His laugher boomed out in the quiet room. She loved it. His eyes sparkled, and he threw his head back with joy.
“See, there is a real man inside your hard shell. I made a little crack in your armor.”
He smoothly glided up her body until he lay on her, but he held back his full weight. “I am a real man this time, not a dream person. And I’m going to make love to you.” He waited a second.
Kira didn’t protest. She wanted the real thing, too.
Lonato stood, picked her up, and took long, quick strides into the bedroom. He laid her on the sheets and in minutes had her undressed. Stepping back while he kept eye contact, he pulled off his clothes and sheathed his dick.
Her body hummed in expectation of feeling him deep inside her. His skin was a beautiful golden color. His large cock stood out from his abdomen. She moved restlessly as her craving to touch him and be touched by him sent a torrent of heat rushing across her sensitive skin. When he moved to the bedside, she couldn’t wait. She reached out and touched his warm skin.
Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Desire Their Queen [Wyoming Warriors 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 7
