Bennett snorted. “Or at least not heard from again.”
They reached what looked like a giant fire pit, and Bennett dumped his body, gesturing to Jace to do the same. Cassie watched in morbid fascination as he deftly lifted the body up off his shoulders and tossed it in.
He brushed off his hands, or at least tried to now that they were even bloodier than before. “Since then, most shifters now all have human blood. So when we shift, we look more like the beast inside of us—a wolf—versus the traditional depiction of a werewolf, which is more of how an ancient would’ve appeared after transition.”
They started back toward the lodge and he kept his hands out of sight for her. Except it still stained his face. She tried not to stare. Not to disturb him, but keep her from mortifying herself that she wanted to swoon seeing this man covered in the blood of someone who would’ve killed her. Or worse. The bit of fang poking out when Mason was haranguing her had made her pulse quicken. That was mortifying enough.
Bennett continued the explanation, more to stem any awkward silence. “Since then, we’ve concentrated on concealment and safety. But modern advances have moved so fast in the last century, hell, the last thirty years, so many of our kind have become immersed in the human world and we’re struggling to keep up, keep our secret, remain undetected by humans and Sigma. They’ve been learning and gaining their own technology for use against us. There’s only so many shifters, even fewer Guardians, while there seems to be an unlimited supply of minions for Sigma to recruit.”
Nearing the front the lodge again, Commander Fitzsimmons and Mercury were appraising the damage while Mason spoke to them from inside. “…checked the videos, they must’ve been cloaked. I saw no movement until they held the crossbow up. We’ll need to amp up our sensors and widen their zone.”
“And fucking steel reinforce all our goddamn doors,” Mercury said hotly.
The commander nodded and spoke without looking at any of them. “Mercury, Mason, haul the last two recruits and light them. I need to talk to Bennett and our guests.”
Cassie wanted to sigh in frustration, but didn’t dare around the formidable commander. The air thickened in his presence, put everyone on edge. And dammit, she wanted to interrogate Jace about the whole marking thing and that was a subject she wasn’t bringing up around these men again.
Mercury stepped over the threshold to help Mason, while the rest of them moved inside so Bennett could describe the attack. “Were they after Kaitlyn?” he asked when he was done.
Commander Fitzsimmons gave a curt nod, his expression grim. “We can’t assume, but that’s the most plausible explanation. They studied her, knew her habits enough to get her to the warehouse, but not enough to realize how powerful she is. Best guess, they were after a shifter, but after she took out an Agent and recruit and we showed interest, Madame G wanted her.”
“Will Cassie be safe to go home?” Jace asked, and Cassie gave him a grateful glance, but quickly looked away.
“They’d love to get their hands on you both, but as long as you can keep your mating on the downlow, they shouldn’t be interested in her. They’d know we wouldn’t give up Kaitlyn for a human. No offense,” the commander said in her direction. His look said it didn’t really matter if she was offended or not, he was stating a fact.
***
Thanks a lot asshole. Jace was pissed at Commander Fitzsimmons. Cassie avoided looking at him. Jace wanted to hug her hard and inspect her head to toe, run his hands up and down her body to make sure she was okay. He’d been out of his mind when she didn’t close the door and he couldn’t get to her before that recruit had. His pride almost split him open at how she’d handled herself. Dropped the bastard in two seconds. He was also forever in Kaitlyn’s debt for jumping in when she had.
No collapsing and sobbing for his mate. She was distracting herself, trying to learn about shifter-kind and what happened. She was also distracting herself from him. He didn’t interrupt as Commander Fitzsimmons told her what to keep an eye out for and safety measures to take, he just stood and looked his fill. Her sexy pixie cut was mussed up giving her a sassy look that fit her so well.
He was leaning back to get a quick look at her butt in her capris, to tide him and his raging emotions over, when Bennett leaned over and spoke quietly in his ear, “Second door on the right there’s a mud room, in case you want to clean up a little.”
Jace brought his hands up from being clasped behind him. Cassie managed to get almost no blood on her and for that he was grateful. He however, was covered with enough for the both of them. Fuck, no wonder she was trying not to look at him. She seemed comfortable enough around Bennett, but Bennett didn’t take her home last night.
“Thanks man.” He clapped Bennett on the shoulder, murmured to Cassie he’d be right back, and jogged inside.
After a quick rinse off, he was back out by Cassie’s side. She still wouldn’t look at him.
Look at me, he pleaded silently, cursing the turn of events this morning. When he woke up with her nestled in his arms, he knew she would be his. He’d feed her, they’d hang out, she’d get to know him. Then maybe when the news hit of what he was and what his recent past had been like, he could help her move past it.
Instead, she not only found out he was a murderer and a different species, she got an eyewitness account of both. Could she grow to not only understand him, but accept him? Cassie was his fated mate. It was unusual to find one’s fated mate in the first fifty years of life. They lived too long, needed to learn how long and lonely their life could be, and why a mate should be treasured above all else. They needed to learn to protect their mate and any offspring against the perils of Mother Nature, human nature, and the rest of nature that wanted to kill all of their kind. If Cassie rejected him, it would indeed be a long, lonely life.
Look at me. Cassie stood with her back to him, arms stubbornly crossed in front of her chest, nodding at Commander Fitzsimmons’ instructions. She was astute; she knew he was assessing her ability to keep quiet about everything she learned today, otherwise the Guardians would have to deal with the situation. They didn’t hurt innocents, even if it was for the greater good, but they could delete her memories of today, alter them in some way.
Jace wasn’t sure which of the Guardians had that ability as they differed with each shifter, like his power of persuasion. Human minds could crumple under the invasion, especially if the wielder didn’t have absolute control over their gift. Cassie was strong, mentally nimble, she wouldn’t crumble, but the protective male in him would not let these men infringe on her, or invade her, in any way.
Look at me. He made the decision a long time ago that he would never use his abilities on the person who would become his partner in life, no matter the reason. Cassie being human, made him even more determined in his resolution. A breach of trust of that magnitude would erode the foundation of matehood. Soon the one who is the most important to you in your ever-long life would wonder if they were persuaded to give up an argument, agree with a new car purchase, even change their mind about the toilet seat being left up.
Finally, she turned to face him. Cleaned of blood now, he remained still as her gaze flicked quickly up and down his length. Repressing a self-satisfied smirk when he saw a flash of heat in her eyes, all he asked was, “You ready?”
He greedily drank her in as she walked toward him, back ramrod straight, hands stiff at her side. Sexy little shrink, trying not to betray her nervousness by running her hands through her hair. No wonder she wore it so short. She would continually fuss with her hair the first half hour she was at the club on any given night. Then as she relaxed, so did her fidgeting… slightly.
“Actually,” she cleared her throat, “can you find a ride home? I’d like to drive myself. Alone.”
Jace sharply inhaled, inadvertently smelling her divine flower and vanilla scent. He let it glide down into his lungs, easing him. Slowly, he exhaled. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“It
doesn’t matter what you think,” she snapped. In a softer tone, “I appreciate your concern, Jace. I really do. This is a lot to take in. You, them, the attack…” Her gaze drifted to someplace far away. She shook it off. “I need time to think.”
“You could still be in danger, Cassie. I can’t just let you leave on your own. Are the Guardians okay with this?” He looked up, searching for some support. Mason had disappeared inside to help Commander Fitzsimmons with clean-up efforts. Mercury was avidly watching their interplay from the landing while Bennett was discreetly trying to drag him inside. Mercury flung off his arm and stalked in. Bennett shot Jace a brief you poor bastard nod before leaving. So they were okay with letting her view their world, their home, and allowing her to go?
“Their main concern is Kaitlyn. I think there’s something pretty significant to them about her. I’m getting in the way. Trying to protect me, but keep their secrets from me, is inconvenient.”
Fucking Guardians. As Jace’s mate, Cassie was his problem and they wanted her to be his problem somewhere else. They assessed her, she wasn’t breaking under shock, felt she wasn’t a threat to their existence, so back to business as usual. So it was, “hey thanks for lending a fang, but it’s time for you and your pesky human to go.”
Keeping his restraint, determined to not to scare her off any more than he had the last few hours, he kept his tone even, “You’re my main concern Cassie. I’d like to see you home safely. What if they’re still out there?” He gestured toward the woods.
“Commander Fitzsimmons assured me they aren’t. I have his number programmed into my phone, just in case. I need time, Jace.” Warm brown eyes sought out his. “I just want to go home.”
Losing himself in their depths, he waged an internal battle. Protective mate or considerate prospective boyfriend? Fucking Guardians! The more he pushed, the more distance she would keep between them. If he got his way, resentment would build within her. He didn’t know her past, but he sensed she was strongly independent, probably learned to rely on herself at an early age.
Considerate prospective boyfriend it was. “Will you call me when you get home?”
Relief flashed across her face. He recited his number. She punched his digits into her phone, grabbed her keys, and headed to her car. He beat her there, holding the door open for her, feeling helpless otherwise. Wishing he could go in for a kiss, but knowing she wasn’t in the right place mentally for it, he waited while she climbed in.
When she didn’t say anything, just started the engine, he let the door fall shut. This wasn’t going at all like he planned.
Before rolling off, she surprised him by opening the window. “They’ll get you home right?”
There was no way in hell he was strolling up to any of the guys here and asking for a ride. The commander probably wouldn’t even look at him or acknowledge the request. Mercury and Bennett would double over in laughter. At least Bennett would. Mercury, a little clueless about the human emotion part of his nature, would give him that quizzical look Jace came to associate with him and then follow Bennett in peals of laughter. Mason was an asshole and barely tolerated by his own pack, the Guardians. No, he would get back to his loft above Pale Moonlight the old-fashioned way. It was a long haul, but he needed a four-legged run through the woods to think after a day like today.
“Yeah, don’t worry about me. I’ll hang out here ’til I hear from you.” Could a mature alpha male get the warm fuzzies? She’d stopped to ask about him, she was worried. There was hope yet.
Cassie passed him a hesitant smile as she raised her window and drove off.
Jace watched her go, his heart at the pit of his stomach. Commander Fitzsimmons said he and Mercury had combed through the woods between the quarry and here. They saw no signs of Sigma, other than the trail the group of rookies left. He’d trust their senses that told them all were taken care of. The two survivors would be questioned heavily.
Jace headed back to the lodge. Commander Fitzsimmons was discussing surveillance and detection, and renovations with Mason. The other two Guardians were on clean-up duty.
“Mr. Miller,” came the commander’s stern voice, “if you’re planning to stay, grab a mop.”
“Dude, she left you?” Mercury was completely confused.
Jace only heard rumors of the shifter’s past and what he’d seen of the Guardian’s interactions only strengthened his belief in them. The male was almost completely inept around humans and that included shifters in human mode. The intricacies of emotion, especially the interplay between males and females were a complex knot Mercury had yet to undo. He avoided women, except when he was wound up and then Bennett ran the interactions, picking out the willing participants and then seeing them out when everything was finished. Mercury rarely came in for just a drink. Women were too drawn to him, his size and unique looks went a long way. Until he opened his mouth. His brutal honestly and oblivious directness earned him more than a few cheek slaps.
“Yeah, she needs some time.” Jace saw it still didn’t register with Mercury. In the other male’s mind, Cassie was Jace’s mate. Why wouldn’t she stay by his side?
Bennett slapped him on the back and handed him the mop. “Don’t worry, Jace. She didn’t run screaming at any point today. That’s something.” The sympathy emanating from Bennett made Jace want to turn wolf, grab his shit and go. Hell, he’d just leave his clothes and run naked from the edge of town to the club. But Bennett was right and if anyone knew the inner turmoil Jace was in, it was Bennett.
“Why break it gently, right? Just lay it all out there.” Jace said drily. Bennett chuckled, Mercury nodded matter-of-factly, the commander ignored him.
“You shoulda just told her that’s the way it was. Worked your magic on her,” Mason said arrogantly. “I mean if you gotta have a human mate, why not?”
A low growl strained to rumble out of Jace’s chest, but a perceived threat in the Guardian headquarters would not go over well. Jace hadn’t worked on his self-control for the last twelve years to lose his shit over this asshole, esteemed Guardian or not.
Bennett stiffened, ready to jump in if Jace turned on Mason. Mercury watched Jace for an answer, no doubt wondering why Jace wouldn’t use his gift if he had one. Why not save himself the long walk back to town and just tell Cassie how it was? Commander Fitzsimmons was looking over his shoulder, evaluating Jace’s reaction.
“Because,” Jace spoke evenly, “I will never falsely persuade my mate no matter what.”
Mason’s mouth curled up in a smug smirk. “Meanwhile, she’s got you by the short hairs. Enjoy your run.”
Asshole. Jace continued mopping while Mason walked out.
“Soooo,” Bennett said, rubbing the back of his neck. “You hungry Jace? Blood and guts always gets my appetite going. We’ll break to eat before we fix the door.”
“Yeah, but which twin is cooking tonight?” Mercury asked. Malcolm and Harrison were the twin shifters; tall, dark, and deadly. They were always together—on their ops and with their women. “You don’t wanna stay if it’s Malcolm. He’s a shit cook.”
Jace’s mouth twitched up at Mercury’s bluntness. They must run this place like firefighters with twenty-four hour, round-the-clock shifts where everyone rotates cooking and cleaning.
“It’s Malcolm,” Commander Fitzsimmons informed them. “But he’s bringing home burgers from The Steak Shack. I told him to bring extra so you might as well stay.”
Chapter Seven
Cassie whipped into her parking spot at the mental health center. Running late, she grabbed her purse and practically bolted through the employee entrance at the back of the clinic. She never woke up late and was always on time. Since she was still building her patient base, her mornings weren’t often booked solid. Today, of course, she had a last minute booking in the first slot of the day. Normally, when she knew no patients were scheduled at the beginning of the day, she meandered in right at nine a.m. and spent the first hour reading ahead on upcoming cases for the day.
Today started shitty, and was looking to stay that way. Her alarm didn’t go off so she woke up to the admin assistant calling her to ask if it was okay to schedule a patient right away. He was a new patient, had requested her, and was there waiting. Patients equaled money. She shot out of bed and ran through the shower, grabbed a granola bar, and bolted out the door.
Now as she rushed down the hall to her office, she grimaced. She literally ran into someone during her run yesterday and had the road rash to prove it on her knee. And no wonder Cassie had been the one to hit the ground. The woman had been tall, well built, and absolutely stunning. Her bright green eyes shone with good humor as she helped Cassie up. Her dark, almost black, hair was as memorable as her athletic body, encased in bright performance gear. The sides of her hair were an inch long, if that, and the longer hair on top was done up in a fashionable faux hawk. She had apologized profusely to Cassie, claiming to have been checking out another jogger in the park. Scraped up, Cassie brushed it off, not wanting to call any more attention to herself than the fall had. The woman had introduced herself as Alex and ran alongside Cassie after she shook off the knee pain and resumed along her path. They chatted companionably and it was the highlight of Cassie’s week.
It had been a long, lonely week with more major blows to the ego and it was only Wednesday. When Cassie first got home after leaving Jace in her rearview mirror, she had wandered aimlessly around her condo, wanting to change her bedding, but changing her mind because she didn’t want to lose Jace’s scent and wash away the memories of their time together. Not that she had to worry, the whole condo was full of reminders of him: the entryway where they first came together, the stove where he’d made her breakfast, the table where they’d sat together. She couldn’t concentrate, didn’t yet want to face the new world Jace showed her and how she felt about it all. With Kaitlyn living and training with the Guardians, she had no one to sit on the couch with her to drink wine, eat ice cream, and add to the evidence that men suck.
Fever Claim (The Sigma Menace) Page 8
