rogue shifter 06 - torn apart

by Gayle Parness

  "I won't." I smiled with relief then walked toward one of the benches near the fountain, figuring we could just chat for a while now that the whole demon agreement thing was finished.

  "So now we can discuss your punishment for summoning me."

  I spun around and stood. "Uhh, wait a minute. I agreed to go to the DR three days a month. And I just invited you under the same rules as before..."

  "An invitation goes two ways. It's only good if the other party agrees to be invited. I did not agree before you broke the circle. You are not protected."

  "Oh." I bit my lip and waited to hear the worst.

  "What we have discussed so far is payment for my training Charlie." He walked closer, backing me up against another tree, putting one hand on either side of my head. "But Jacqueline, you—summoned—me. You reneged on the oral bargain we made in front of a great many fae warriors and elders, including Caelen, a fae I have had unpleasant dealings with in the past. Allowing you to go unpunished would set a terrible precedent."

  "Charlie's life is at stake." I was surprised my voice hadn't cracked, I was so freaked out.

  "It changes nothing. You reneged on a bargain." My eyes widened when I noticed that his fangs were growing longer and he was staring at my neck. "I could change my mind and demand blood. Yours is potent."

  Although I was shaking with fear, I forced myself to stand up a little straighter so I could meet his gaze. "Why don't you just whip me senseless like Kennet did?"

  He snarled in anger, taking a quick step back and removing his hands. "Kennet is a sack of shit. Perhaps you have forgotten how I helped you escape?" He took another step backward, as if my words had shocked and disgusted him. "Whipping and raping defenseless females is not honorable or appealing to me in any way." He turned his back and fisted his hands, making an effort to calm himself. "Demons are no more likely to turn into monsters than the seelie fae."

  Instead of giving in to my fear and running, I followed my healer instincts and took his hand, making sure not to insult or anger him by sending him any of my energy. "I'm sorry. I appreciate everything you've done for me. I do, Isaiah. That was a stupid thing to say and I apologize. You're nothing like Kennet. If you want to take some blood, then I won't fight you." The bite would be uncomfortable, but if this was necessary in order to help Charlie, then I'd have to agree.

  He looked down at our clasped hands and then back up at my face, analyzing my words, almost like he was tasting them for the truth. He'd made it clear that he didn't like to be touched by me, something about my magic being too similar to fae magic, but I wasn't using magic at the moment.

  He left our hands where they were and then said something that turned my world upside down. "You have her courage, and like her, you let your mouth run wild at inopportune times." He took hold of my chin with a firm grip. "When you stare at me with your stubborn anger, you look like her damn twin." He dropped his hold, shaking his head sadly and walking away.

  I was paralyzed for the next few moments, shocked beyond words. Bridgett and I were fraternal twins and only vaguely resembled each other. He was talking about my mother, Adele.

  "Isaiah, wait..."

  His eyes were full-out flaming when he turned around, yet for some reason I knew that it wasn't me he was angry with. Despite his rage, he spoke softly. "We will discuss the consequences of your actions when I arrive for Charlie's evaluation. You can expect me the day after his fifth birthday. Tell no one but Garrett about our bargain. If I can manage it, I will drop in from time to time to check on you and your son."

  After he'd faded out, I'd sat on the bench by the fountain and hugged myself, trying to come to grips with this new revelation. He'd felt sadness and anger at my mother's death, so he must have known her pretty well. After all, he was her half brother, even though there were probably many centuries between their ages. I wasn't exactly sure how old Isaiah was, but I got the feeling he was older than Aedus, who'd lived over 1600 human years.

  It had saddened me that Faerie and the DR couldn't celebrate what they had in common instead of warring over their differences. Caelen and my archdemon grandmother would have shaken their heads in disgust at my naivety. Some of their battles had been fought long before human armies had marched down their first dirt roads carrying clubs and slings. Hatreds that deep wouldn't be forgiven easily, if at all.

  Anxious to see my newborn son and my mate, I'd walked quickly back to the house, wondering how much Isaiah might know about who'd killed my mother.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Before I had to plunge head on into the day's party preparations, I decided to take half an hour to contact Marie and discuss whatever she'd been able to dig up in the DR. I'd been feeling the usual itchy palm which was her way of letting me know she wanted to talk. Usually it was something fairly important so I never ignored the signal.

  Marie was Garrett's sister, dead for over a hundred years. I'd discovered her shade when Garrett and I had spent some time at the villa in Carmel, formerly owned by his maker, Eleanor Howard. She'd been responsible for the deaths of many innocents including Garrett's father, mother and sister, Marie. Garrett killed Eleanor in a duel and had inherited the villa, along with the two vampires remaining from her nest, Sasha and Heinrich. I'd made Marie my familiar and she'd been helping out by taking occasional trips to the DR to spy on Bridgett and Grandmother.

  Marie appeared, looking better than I'd yet seen her. She'd been able to make regular visits to her family in Louisiana, watching her children, grandchildren and several generations of great grandchildren grow and prosper in the shapeshifter community of Lafayette. Because of Charlie's illness, Garrett and I had never gone as we'd planned, but we'd shared emails and photographs back and forth with Marie's mate, Harrison, who seemed to have mellowed with the years. I'd sent Marie there on her own, and even though she couldn't communicate, she could still observe and it gave her great joy.

  Today her expression was stressed. "Jacqueline, Bridgett is moving forward. She wants to press the demon and unseelie warriors into early action. I fear for Charlie and yourself."

  "What have you heard?" I walked with her through Sinlae's incredible rose garden, the baby pink tea roses and salmon-colored climbing roses still blooming. Marie seemed to like talking outside in the garden the best. Being near the hum of new technology inside the house made her uncomfortable.

  "As you know, it is difficult for me to learn much because I do not speak their language, but sometimes one or two will speak in seelie fae. I've been able to pick up phrases here and there, thanks to Charlie's help." Because he had my demon bloodline, my son was always able to see Marie. He called her Lady Marie, probably because she was dressed in a long skirt. He enjoyed the short spurts of time that he could spend teaching her whatever he'd learned that day.

  She continued, "A horrible green creature said that he was called to a meeting with the archdemon along with many others of his kind. Bridgett was there also, and they were forced to pledge their loyalty to her. To your sister. One day I caught a glimpse of your Bridgett. She was surrounded by guards. She...she seemed disturbed...enraged for some reason. I followed her group and they came upon a strange unseelie creature who wouldn't pledge loyalty to her. He spat at her feet and said something in his native tongue. She had him killed."

  I understood the sacrifice she was making by traveling between worlds. Marie had been attacked once while she was in the DR, although she couldn't be killed unless I released her. The pain she'd felt at the time was more of a frightening disorientation than a physical hurt. Still she kept going back, wanting to play a part in protecting Charlie. At this point, I don't think I could have stopped her.

  "Isaiah will be here soon. We'll hear what he has to say."

  Her brow wrinkled with worry. "I know you trust in this demon, but I do not feel it is wise for you to go to the demonic plain un-chaperoned. It is a foul place. I understand that you cannot take a fae guard, but can you not take one of Garrett's undead with you? Heinric
h perhaps? He is large and strong."

  "I have to go alone, Marie, but Isaiah has sworn not to hurt me."

  "They are liars and murderers." Her complexion had paled, a sign that she needed energy. Because she was my spirit familiar, I was her main source, so I took her hand and transferred my magic into her slim body, sending it out in a slow stream the way Isaiah had shown me. When she solidified again, she smiled. "Thank you, sister."

  "Visit your family again, Marie. Take a break."

  "I would like to see them."

  "Then go, and thank you for your advice and your help."

  "Your grandmother's allows Bridgett to kill in her name. Please be careful." We hugged and she left, fading away without the more spectacular shimmer of the fae or demon races.

  An hour later, I was busy helping Liam make dip and hors d'oeuvres for the party. Garrett surprised me by wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me closer.

  "Guess what I dreamt about?" His warm breath tickled my neck.

  I ran my fingers through his hair, leaning back so I could see his face. "I hope it was the same thing I dreamt about. However, we have a party to prepare for, so plus tard to you."

  He chuckled with that deep vibration that had my body shivering almost instantly. "Oui, Madame Cuvier. Plus tard. J'attends votre plaisir. I await your pleasure. He still enjoyed sending me translations, and I loved getting them, especially that kind.

  "Ooh, that's a good one." I spun in his arms and kissed him, keeping it PG-rated since there were kids in the house.

  "Your guests will be arriving in two hours and these things don't cook themselves." Liam teased us.

  "Liam, we all know that with a snap of your fingers the appetizers would be done and tasting delicious."

  "Yes, but then you wouldn't learn how to make them and I'd miss out on the fun of teaching you."

  "I'm never going to need to know how to do this."

  Garrett grinned. "Oh I don't know. What if I decide to take you to a cabin in the woods or a private island in the Caribbean. Someone would have to cook for you and Charlie."

  "You can barbeque the fish you catch or the meat we kill when we hunt. Charlie will help me made a salad." I looked down at the tray. "We won't be eating mini quiches or canapés."

  We smiled at each other, fantasizing about a trip away from the craziness. The reality was that we'd never be able to just take off. Charlie had to be guarded 24/7 because the Faerie Queen and archdemon wanted him dead, or at least under their control. Garrett and I weren't powerful enough to take on the responsibility of protecting him on our own so we stayed where we were, keeping our son safe by surrounding him with guards and magical wards.

  I hugged him a little closer and sighed. There was nowhere I felt happier than in my lifemate's arms, but if Liam wasn't going to use his fae magic to make party food, then I was stuck helping.

  "I must get back to work, Monsieur Cuvier. Why don't you peek in on your son, who managed to weasel the guitar out of me so he could learn to play a song for you."

  "I'll get my instrument and give him his first lesson. I have a bongo Jay can use."

  "Perfect." He kissed me sweetly on the cheek, winked and left the kitchen, moving away with the perfect grace of a master vampire/cheetah combination.

  I think Liam took pity on me and did most of the work magically while my back was turned, because it only took another twenty minutes to finish. The main courses were already done and stored in the fridge at the vamp villa, where they could be heated up quickly. The party would be over there, since that house had an enormous back yard, aka soccer field, which was wired to light up at night. We'd set up casual seating areas in the adjacent garden and a large buffet table and a bar, figuring people could just help themselves to food and sit wherever they were comfortable. The evening was predicted to be exceptionally beautiful, never a sure thing in Crescent City, California.

  I'd been suspicious at first, but Liam had sworn to me that no fae had manipulated the weather. Even though I'd sensed a teasing note in his disclaimer, I wasn't about to ask for a rainstorm instead.

  One of my biggest worries had to do with Lord Caelen fitting in, since being a Fae Elder of Cascade he should be addressed and treated as a visiting dignitary. Fae festivities were playful, but not usually loud. I was keeping my fingers crossed that he didn't find the festivities too noisy. I'd also assigned Ethan and the vamps to keep Kyle and his mouth away from Caelen's table.

  We'd also put down a small dance floor and hired a D.J., all Ethan's idea—but it had been a good one since just about every supernatural I knew liked to dance. We had about thirty people coming, not counting the five kids. There were also instruments available if anyone decided they wanted to entertain the group. Many of our friends were talented musicians who didn't often find the time to play.

  We'd asked Charlie if he wanted a 'Character' or a 'Clown' and he'd laughed and said we already had those people coming. I didn't ask him to elaborate, but could guess who he meant. We did get him one of those blow-up bouncy castle things, which was set up behind the villa so he wouldn't be able to see it until the party started. I couldn't wait to see his face.

  In a different world, we wouldn't have had a blowout party for a kid's fifth birthday, but this would be the first one he'd be able to enjoy as a healthy little boy, and Garrett and I wanted it to be special.

  I jumped in the shower after I'd listened at Charlie's door and heard Garrett helping our son with a chord while Jay beat on the drum. The little bear was practically shouting, "One, two, three, four, one, two, three, four..." in marching band time. I knew the boys were serious about learning their song because earlier in the day, they hadn't appeared for lunch. I'd sent in a few sandwiches, some fruit and juice, not forgetting Farrell who was extremely patient when it came to dealing with the kids. In fact all three fae guards were extraordinary. Liam had chosen well, picking from quite a few who'd volunteered for the dubious "honor".

  When I reemerged, dressed in the outfit Garrett had chosen for me, I knocked on their door.

  Charlie answered, only opening the door a crack. "Mommy, we're surprising you, so if you come in it won't work." He looked me over and opened the door a little wider. "You look pretty. Daddy's helping us."

  Garrett got up, pulling me inside to hug me in front of the boys. "You look lovely, Mrs. Cuvier. May I have the first dance tonight?" The dress was casual and comfortable, fitted on top and swirly on the bottom, made of a lovely fabric and style that fit my slim body to perfection.

  "Thank you, Monsieur Cuvier. Yes you may, that is if you can catch me." I leaned against him, taking in a deep lungful of his scent. Dancing wasn't really my thing and I tended to avoid it whenever possible.

  "Why do they call each other Mr. and Mrs.?" Jay asked, looking confused.

  "That's 'cause they're lifemates." Charlie explained. "And they like to sniff each other 'cause they're cheetahs, like me."

  "Leopards and bears like to sniff too." Jay added.

  "I think I have to leave before I start laughing. They both look so serious."

  "I'll get them focused on the music while you sneak out."

  "Good plan."

  "Let's allow Mom to leave so we can get back to the song. She has more to do for the party."

  "Okay. Bye, Mom!"

  "Bye, Aunt Jackie." I waved and shut the door behind me, then walked into the kitchen where Sasha was arguing with Liam.

  "You didn't buy beer? You can't have a party without beer."

  "The fae drink wine as do Garrett and Jackie. The menu doesn't really call for beer..."

  "Yeah but a lot of the shifters and werewolves drink beer. And Heinrich too."

  I walked into the room and moved between them. "I'll call Ethan and he'll pick up the beer."

  "Rick made a run to the liquor store last night, so we have everything else. I just assumed Liam was getting beer."

  "Liam's been cooking non-stop." I turned in his direction. "In fact I think you
should take off and relax for a couple of hours. I can handle heating the appetizers. Come back when you're ready."

  "I'll return in an hour." He gave me a nod and Sasha a look, then beamed out.

  "Why can't you two get along?" I asked, giving Sash a playful shove for good measure. He took it in stride, leaning back against the kitchen counter, smiling.

  And when Sasha smiled, or even when he didn't, it was hard to take your eyes off of him. A 6'2" blonde, blue-eyed Adonis with the body and skills of an incredible martial artist, he was definitely more than just eye candy. Sash was Garrett's second in the nest and deserved that position, having risked his life many times to protect us.

  Garrett's first encounters with Sasha had not been happy ones, since Sash was Eleanor's primary enforcer and therefore in charge of torturing many of her innocent victims. He and Heinrich had been compelled to torture Garrett several times as well, but my mate understood that they'd abhorred the job and despised the female who'd forced them to behave like monsters. So when Garrett took down Eleanor in a duel, he gave them a choice. They could join his nest and live by his rules, a rigid set that protected innocent lives, or they could die. They both chose life, and under Garrett's leadership, they've found a certain degree of happiness.

  Sash shrugged. "Liam's great to have along on a job, but he's too uptight with Charlie."

  "He's a Dad himself now, so it's normal for him to be protective of Charlie, too."

  "He told me the other night that I shouldn't take the kid up to my studio. I asked him why and he said because the paint fumes might affect Charlie's health. I told him that I wouldn't open the paint tubes and he told me there were still residual fumes. I told him I'd open the windows and he still said no. Then I told him to fuck off. I don't think he liked that very much."

  "Why don't you set up a couple of easels outside on the patio. Or start him off sketching with charcoal. That way he gets to draw and we keep the peace with Liam."