She hadn’t thought about it. “I’ll be fine, Sandor. I take the bus all the time.”
“I know you do, Piper. But Grey said he’d feel a lot better if you weren’t standing out in the open at a bus stop today. I agree with him, so please take my car and keep it until we have a better handle on what’s going on.”
Before answering, she allowed herself a quick glance down the hall to see if Grey was watching. Yep, he was. Even from a distance, she could feel the impact of his icy blue gaze. When she allowed Sandor to drop the keys into her hand, Grey nodded once.
“Okay, thanks. I’ll take good care of it.”
“Don’t sweat it.” Sandor looked down the hall before adding, “Thanks for taking care of our boy last night. We all liked knowing you were by his side while we dealt with the police.”
“It was nothing.” Another lie. It was definitely something, but only time would tell what.
Sandor kept talking. “Kerry said for you to take the day off, but it’s only a matter of time before someone wants your statement. We really should talk before that happens.”
She thought for a moment. “Look, I’m going to head back to my place and zone out for a while. How about I stop by the house after my classes this afternoon?”
“Perfect. See you then.” Then, in a surprise move, he gave her a quick hug before walking away.
Was Grey still watching? Yep, and he was looking seriously ticked off about something. Surely it wasn’t because of the brotherly embrace Sandor had given her. Judging by the way Grey was now glaring at the other Talion, though, maybe it was.
Cool.
Feeling much better, Piper headed for the nearest exit and stepped out into the bright sunshine. The day was definitely looking up.
Lawrence Harcourt was not a happy man. He was also swigging an expensive brandy like it was a pint from the local pub. He couldn’t seem to help himself given how things were going at the moment.
His sources had verified that Grey Danby had spent the night in a Seattle hospital because of injuries received in an explosion outside of the Dame’s house. So far, all that was known for sure was that the bomb was delivered by a shipping company.
No one had claimed responsibility for the incident, and the police were convinced it was a random act of violence. Of course, they had no way of knowing that the Kyth existed, much less that Kerry Thorsen was their current ruler. A nation of people scattered all over the world and owing homage to a young woman in jeans and a T-shirt wouldn’t occur to the local police.
Hell, he could scarcely believe it himself.
How was Grey doing? he wondered. So far, there were no reports on his condition other than he’d been taken away by ambulance. If Kerry had given him her healing touch, he was probably already better, regardless of how bad the injuries had been. Hopefully the Talion would have the sense to disguise his ability to recuperate so quickly.
It wasn’t Harcourt’s problem, though. His concern was that Grey would now be out for blood. The man might have the pedigree of a stray dog, but he had the tenacity of a purebred bloodhound on the hunt. The Talion wouldn’t rest until he tracked down the culprit. They all knew that a direct attack on the Dame, even if just a close call, meant the death penalty in their world.
Someone would die for this, and Harcourt really, really hoped it wouldn’t be him. If Grey caught even a whiff of evidence that the trail led back to London, he’d be on the next plane. Ranulf Thorsen and Sandor Kearn would very likely be with him, a deadly trio if ever there was one.
Oh, yes, then someone would die, his or her life force scattered to the winds like dust. Harcourt had only witnessed one such execution, but he still had nightmares from it, especially lately. He was postponing going to bed for that very reason. There were nights when he could still hear the poor bastard’s screams as the Dame’s enforcer ripped his life force out by the roots.
Harcourt reached for the brandy. Maybe if he drank enough, he’d numb both the memories and the fear.
He sincerely hoped so.
• • •
Grey let himself into his hotel room. The staff downstairs had put on a good show of concern, wanting to know if there was anything they could to do. Hell, they might even have been sincere, but he needed to be alone more than he need the sympathy of strangers.
He tossed the bag on the bed and headed straight for the shower. A few minutes spent in the hot spray would have to do. As much as he’d like a good long soak in the tub, he couldn’t afford the time. The bomber’s trail was growing colder by the minute. The police had no doubt collected all the evidence they could, grinding what was left into the Dame’s lawn in the process.
Grey’s ability to trace evidence beyond the normal human senses would work best while the scene was fresh and relatively uncontaminated. Every minute the site was exposed to the elements—and to other people—diminished his chances of finding anything significant. He needed uninterrupted time to work the area and see what was left.
When Sandor had dropped Grey off at his car, there’d still been a few reporters lurking in the area. Must be a slow news day. He gunned the engine and tore off down the street. Hopefully some other headline would grab their attention soon because Talions worked best out of the spotlight.
And he’d learned to survive in the shadows early in life, not that he spent much time thinking about his past. He’d made it a habit to never look back.
Although he had earlier today at in the hospital. Looked back, that is. He’d meant to return to his room as soon as he’d known for sure that Piper was going to take Sandor’s car. But then those dark eyes of hers had met his, challenging him on every level. He’d acknowledged the unspoken question, that he had sent Sandor after her. Cowardly, perhaps, but she’d needed her space. So had he.
He cranked the shower up high and hot, wishing he could wash away the memory of how Piper had felt in his arms and tasted on his tongue. With a potential killer on the loose, he did not need the distraction.
And she was certainly that.
Right now he had more important things to consider. Like who that bomb had really been aimed at. Not Hughes, surely. The man was as inoffensive as they came. Piper wasn’t a likely target either, although he’d be surprised if she hadn’t pissed someone off somewhere along the line.
He found himself smiling. That woman definitely had a knack for stirring up his emotions. Rather than dwell on the possibilities that brought to mind, he shut off the water and reached for a towel. He’d get dressed and head back to Kerry’s house to do his job.
After he had a chance to examine everything, he’d corner Ranulf and see if he’d picked up anything. Each Talion had his own unique set of abilities, and the Viking warrior was the best when it came to hunting. From what Grey had heard, Lena Wilson had her own talent when it came to reading a crime scene too.
Since he’d be working outside, Grey put on jeans and a long-sleeved knit shirt. That reminded him—he’d take his damaged jacket with him to the scene as well. It was bound to have some residue from the explosion. He’d have Sandor send it to the local Kyth lab for testing.
Time to get going. He needed to check in with Kerry and then get started on his hunt. And if Piper happened to be there too, well, so much the better.
Chapter 7
Kerry and Lena met Grey out on the porch, both looking genuinely pleased to see him. Lena smiled and said, “Grey! I’m glad to see you’re on the mend!”
Ranulf appeared beside his wife and gave him the once-over. “Yeah, you don’t look nearly as much like a corpse as you did when they rolled you out of here yesterday.”
“Ranulf!” Kerry gave her husband an elbow in the side. “That’s not nice.”
The Viking grinned. “Seriously, Grey, I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks.” Grey didn’t mind Ranulf’s rough humor. The man always said what he meant, a rarity in their world.
He turned his attention back to their Dame. “Kerry, I’d like to bor
row your husband and Lena for a while.”
“It’s all right with me, as long as the doctor said you could be out and about.” She studied him for a few seconds and then held out her hand.
He appreciated the offer, but she’d done enough last night. “I’m fine. Really.”
“I’ll feel better if I find that out for myself.”
A Talion didn’t refuse a direct order from his Dame. Grey held out his hand, letting her take it both of hers. The whole process lasted only a few seconds, but the quick boost she gave him would last for hours. She’d have to feed again soon to maintain her own balance, but the powerful symbiotic relationship between the Dame and her Consort would soon replenish her reserves.
She gave Grey’s hand one last squeeze before releasing him. “I’ll sleep better knowing you’ve been restored, Grey. We owe you so much for what you did yesterday. I’m not sure how you did it, but you managed to contain most of the damage to the rose garden—well, and to yourself.”
All of them felt the draw of the blackened circle of grass a short distance away. It could have been so much worse. He would work day and night to keep it from happening again.
“Thank you, Kerry. Now let’s get started on finding the culprit behind this attack. Once we’ve read what’s left of the scene, I’ll go to work on Piper’s computer again. Has anyone checked to see if she’s gotten another e-mail today?”
Kerry moved closer to her husband. “Sandor looked earlier and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.”
“Good.” Grey backed down the steps. “We’ll let you know if we find anything useful out here. Lena, would you care to join us?”
“Sure. You might want my help.”
Ranulf kissed his wife and fell into step beside Grey. “I tried to get a reading out here yesterday, but couldn’t get close enough. The police and bomb squad hung around until we were all ready to go ballistic. I doubt there’s much left untainted.”
“That’s pretty much what I expected, but even a hint or two would be helpful.”
Grey quickly looked up and down the street to make sure the reporters were gone before he knelt down at the edge of the burned area. He rested his hand over the damaged grass and opened himself up to the trace energy. A slight increase in the buzz told him Ranulf had joined in the hunt.
Grey let the rush of sensation flow through him unfettered. Gradually, he identified and then eliminated the various components: fertilizer, weed killer, the burned carbon scent of the grass, the distinct smell of the multiple humans who had worked the area.
Underlying it all was the sharp tang of the explosive, yet it was impossible to tell what kind it was. Perhaps Ranulf would know, but it didn’t matter. Grey would recognize it if he were to ever smell it again.
When Ranulf finally broke his concentration, the Viking looked frustrated. “Nothing definitive. Just that something exploded and burned.”
“It was worth trying. Lena, you want to give it a shot?”
“Okay, give me a minute.” She stepped to the edge of the circle and closed her eyes for several seconds. When she opened them, she slowly walked around the damaged grass and then headed across the lawn to the gate.
What was she sensing? Grey shot Ranulf a questioning look, but the Viking just shrugged. Neither said a word, not wanting to disturb her process. Finally, she shuddered and reached out to the gate for support. They hurried to her side.
“Are you all right?”
She slowly nodded. “Sorry, it always takes me a minute to get back to normal.”
After a long breath, she frowned. “I’m afraid I can’t be of much help. My gift allows me to see bits and pieces of an event as if it’s a movie playing out in real time. I saw Hughes and the vague impression of another man—possibly the delivery truck driver. Then I saw you running toward the rose garden, the bomb exploding, and you flying through the air.”
She shuddered. “God, Grey, it’s a miracle you’re alive, but then we already knew that. Nothing on the bomber, though. I can tell you that there was a powerful mix of emotions built into the bomb. He’ll strike again, and sooner rather than later.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Grey thought over what she’d said. “But you got a definite impression that the bomber is male?”
Lena nodded slowly. “Yeah, I did. I wish I could tell you more.”
“So, we’re back at square one.” Ranulf sounded disgusted.
“Maybe not. We have one more thing to check out. The hospital staff threw out most of my clothes after the explosion, but they hung on to the leather jacket I was wearing. It should have some bomb residue on it.”
He retrieved the bag from his car and pulled the jacket out. He unrolled it and offered it to Ranulf first, who held it up to his face and took a deep breath before handing it to Lena. After she checked it out, Grey followed suit, drawing in the mixed scents of smoke, hospital, and the explosive.
“I’d know it again, but right now I don’t recognize this particular mix. How about you?”
Lena ran her fingers over the leather. “I only get more of what I already told you. A mix of hate and excitement. Maybe a sense he’s trying to impress someone. I’ve mostly dealt with arsonists, and this feels much the same. Whoever he is, he gets off on playing with this stuff.”
She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “This always gives me such a headache.”
Kerry must have been watching from the porch because she hurried across to take her friend’s arm. “Lena, if you’re done here, let’s go inside. I have a pot of tea waiting for us.”
“That sounds wonderful. Grey, let me know if I can do anything else.”
“I will. Thanks.” He and Ranulf watched as the two women disappeared into the house. Obviously Lena’s gift took a lot out of her. He regretted having to put her through it, but they needed to use every resource at their disposal.
Fury glowed in Ranulf’s eyes. Grey understood just how he felt. Talions knew they might face death in battle, but mailing a bomb was a coward’s way to fight.
Both men instinctively reached for the symbol of their bond with their Dame and their people. Ranulf clasped the centuries old Thor’s Hammer he wore at his throat while Grey placed his hand over the brand burned deep into the skin on his chest.
“This will end.”
“This will end.”
Two pairs of blue eyes met and held, each alight with the burning anger of a battle-ready warrior. “This we vow.”
The moment passed. Time to get back to business. Grey considered the options.
“I want to have the jacket tested by our people, but technically speaking, we should offer it to the police on the case.”
Ranulf studied the jacket. “There’s no reason not to cover all the bases in case they pick up something our guys don’t. The jacket is already in bad shape, so the police won’t notice if another piece or two is missing.”
“That’s what I was thinking.” Grey assessed the damage to the jacket. “Should be easy enough to remove a swatch without it being too obvious. I’ll have Sandor see how much the lab will need before I turn the rest over to the authorities.”
He folded up the jacket. “If possible, I’ll do it when Piper and I give our statements. It will look like an act of good faith on our part. But if Sandor needs more time, I’ll turn it over later and tell them that the jacket slipped my mind in all the confusion. The detective might not like it, but he won’t be able to prove otherwise.”
Ranulf nodded. “Speaking of which, Detective Byrne called again, wanting to talk to you and Piper today. We told him that we’d call with a time when you’d both be available.”
Grey had been expecting it. “Piper’s going to stop by after class. We can go over our stories and then call the detective. We need to agree on the major points, but not sound rehearsed. Nothing triggers suspicion faster than a group of witnesses singing the same chorus in perfect harmony.”
“True enough.”
Ranulf stu
died the blackened circle on the ground for a while before looking toward the house. The explosion had cracked a couple of windows, another indication of how close the bomber had come to the Dame herself. Ranulf’s barely controlled rage was a mix of a Talion’s warrior training and that of a man whose woman had been threatened.
Grey knew how he felt. At least Kerry had been safely behind thick walls. Piper had been standing out in the open, with only Grey between her and destruction. Energy burned under his skin, seeking a target to lash out against. That time would come, but not today.
He carefully banked the fire. He always hunted better when his emotions ran cold.
The detective spoke slowly, but it was impossible to miss the sharp intelligence in his dark eyes. Piper wondered if he knew how carefully this meeting had been staged. Ranulf sat in his wife’s chair with Kerry perched on the arm beside him. Sandor and Lena had taken the three kids over to their house for the evening to give them privacy.
Detective Byrne had checked in with Hughes first to make sure he hadn’t remembered anything else now that he’d had time to calm down. The butler had assured him that he hadn’t and then retired to his quarters. That left only Piper and Grey to give their statements.
The detective had preferred to come to the house so they could walk through the events of the previous day.
“Miss Ryan, if you would go first. Why did you think there was something wrong with the package being delivered?”
Sandor and Grey had already decided that there was no getting around telling the authorities about the warning e-mail. However, they weren’t going to bring up the first one unless they had no choice.
She chose her words carefully. “Grey and I share an office, so he was there when I received a strange e-mail. We both read it the same way—as a threat. When the bell at the gate rang, Grey ran out to intercept the package in case we were right.”
She swallowed hard. “Which we were.”
Her voice quivered, but there was nothing she could do except lay it all out on the table for the detective. “Hughes had already gotten to the gate, but Grey took the package away from him and ran to the rose garden.”
Dark Warrior Untamed Page 9
