Paige Cameron

by Commando Cowboys Find Their Desire

  “I wanted to let you know I was here. I’m going to check around outside first.”

  “That’s a good idea. I’ll leave the suit and shoe wraps here by the door for you when you want to enter the house.”

  She disappeared back into the cabin.

  Cody tied his horse to the rail and started to walk around the yard. But he stopped. He might step on evidence. He knew who they needed. Flipping his phone open, he called Aleron Alois. He was one of the third tribe’s shape-shifters. He shifted to an eagle and had superior vision. He’d spot any abnormalities without disturbing the evidence.

  “Hello, Aleron here.”

  “Hi, this is Cody Jessup. I’m not sure if you remember me.”

  “I think I met you once. You’re Payton’s friend, right? Is he doing all right? Jewel and I were told he can have more visitors now. The rest of the family has stayed away until Mr. and Mrs. Camilius told us we could visit.”

  “As far as I know he’s doing very well. I’m calling about Averil Stanwic. She’s the woman Payton and I are interested in.”

  “Ah, yes. Jewel said Payton was determined to marry her. What’s happened?”

  He explained about Averil’s sickness and why he needed Aleron’s help. “I thought in your eagle persona you might see something that I’d miss or step on.”

  “I’d be happy to help. I haven’t flown today, and I try to do that daily to keep in shape. I will be there in a few minutes. Give me the directions.”

  “I can tell you the roads.”

  “That’s enough. I’ll find you.” After listening, Aleron clicked his phone off.

  Cody stood by his horse watching the skies for the larger-than-normal eagle. It wasn’t long before he came into view. Aleron swooped down over him and then began following what looked like a grid, going forward and back in rows.

  Aleron flew lower and slower over an area back and to the right of the cabin. He flew across near Cody and shifted. “You’ll have to excuse my appearance. It’s a nuisance, but if we aren’t close to where we left our clothes and we shift, we’re naked.”

  “No problem, I’d heard.”

  “Where I flew lower and slower, to our left and the cabin’s right, I saw a horse’s hoof marks and a human’s footprints. The human’s tracks led toward the cabin. With people going in and out of here this morning, I couldn’t see if the footprints go all the way to the front door. But they were headed in that direction.”

  “That’s what I was afraid I’d do, smear the evidence. I’ll let Ellen know, and they can check the marks you’ve found.”

  “Call her out and I’ll fly over the area again so she’ll see where to go. By the way, the footprints are small. It wasn’t a man.” Aleron shifted and flew up into the clouds.

  Cody knocked on the door and Ellen came to open it. “Did you find something?”

  “He did.” Cody motioned to the eagle flying lower now. “He’s going to fly across the area where he saw footprints and a horse’s hoof marks.”

  Ellen called inside to someone named Peter. A tall, partially bald man came to the door. “I’ll need your expertise. We have prints in the ground out here. The eagle will show us where.”

  She motioned to Aleron, and he flew low and slow, back and forth, indicating where to look. Ellen waved to him and yelled thanks.

  “You’re full of great ideas today. It was smart of you to get his help.” Ellen went back inside. Peter went in and came out with his equipment. He walked slowly and carefully toward the indicted spot.

  For the first time in days, Cody felt good about himself. He decided it was time to return to the hospital and check on the two most important people in his life. Even the thought of the hospital didn’t bother him as much as it had in the past.

  * * * *

  Kira packed several suitcases of clothes. She didn’t expect to get a chance to empty her apartment anytime soon. Her boss had been surprised at her sudden notice that she was leaving for good. She’d tried to change Kira’s mind. But Kira explained she had to go to her family and wouldn’t be back for a long time.

  Thank goodness, she’d taken care of the cabin before she’d returned to the city. She had people in the nearby town who’d see that it was winterized and check on it frequently for her.

  She was taking a later plane than she’d planned, but this way she wouldn’t have to rush back. Kira glanced at her watch. Her plane left in two and a half hours. She’d called a taxi and watched out the window for its arrival. Internally, she knew Averil was better. When the attack first happened, Kira had almost been thrown to her knees. It was serious evil magic, and although her sister might be better, Kira sensed the malicious entity still close to Averil.

  Her taxi arrived shortly after Kira took her suitcases downstairs and out front. “Take me to the airport and hurry please,” she told the driver.

  When she arrived at curbside, she checked her luggage, got her boarding pass, and hurried to the gate for her plane. Soon after she arrived, first-class boarded.

  Once the plane was in the air, Kira took a deep breath of relief. She couldn’t get to Averil’s side fast enough.

  The flight attendant brought her supper. He looked at her with a puzzled expression. “There was a lady who flew with us a few days ago. She looked a lot like you.”

  “They say we all have doubles somewhere,” Kira teased with him.

  “Well, you sure do. She even had the same worried expression on her face.”

  She looked into his black eyes and smiled at him. “I’ll have to tell my mother. Maybe she’s been holding out on me and I have a sibling I don’t know about.” Kira shrugged casually. “Could I have a soda to go with my meal?

  “Sure.” He turned away, but not before she’d seen the flash of fire deep in his pupils. Goose bumps popped out on her arms and the slight sour odor of evil blew into her nostrils as the man had turned quickly. He seemed very inquisitive, and he gave her an uneasy feeling.

  He came back with a glass of ice and her soda. “Can I get anything else for you?”

  “I’m fine. I’m hungry, and the food looks good.” She opened the can and poured her drink over the ice. Then she cut up her meat. It was difficult not to look at him again. But she mustn’t arouse his suspicions any more than she may have already.

  The meal had been good. When she’d finished, her alert flight attendant hurried to her side. “I’ll clear this for you.”

  “Thanks, I’m going to put my seat back and see if I can sleep. I’m tired from packing.”

  “Was this a sudden trip?”

  “Oh no, I’ve been thinking about this for several months. My boss said I looked tired and needed to take a vacation, so I finally listened to her and impulsively took off.”

  “Sounds like a nice boss.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  Kira put her seat back and he took the hint and left. Hopefully, she’d allayed his interest in her.

  When the plane landed, she waved good-bye to her curious flight attendant. But she had an uneasy feeling it wouldn’t be the last time they met. As soon as she collected her baggage and stepped out of the terminal, her dad waved to her. He hurried to her side and took the two suitcases to put in the back of his truck. Kira swung up into the passenger seat, and soon they were on their way to the ranch.

  “Averil is better. Whatever happened to her raised all her blood levels dangerously high. But she’s in a regular room now, and her levels are coming down.” He glanced at Kira. “The doctor said if she has another attack it would probably be fatal.”

  “And they don’t know what caused this one?”

  “No. They’re checking our house and her cabin for any substance she might have had a reaction to, but so far nothing.”

  “I won’t let her die.”

  “Even your special abilities may not be enough to save her, Kira.”

  “But no one knows of my skills, so if it isn’t environmental and someone is responsible for her attack, they’ll be sur
prised. I’m going to find out what’s going on.” She told him about the flight attendant. “I can’t explain it, but his questions didn’t seem as casual as he tried to pretend. He’s one of those people that give you the willies. I need to talk with the leaders and see if they’re certain they got all the bad guys when the battle ended.”

  “We’ll stop by the hospital, and you can see Averil. I’ll call and ask for a meeting with the leaders of the three tribes. I hope you’re wrong.”

  They rode in silence the rest of the way. At the hospital, Kira rushed to see her sister, a sense of urgency speeding her along. Her dad stayed downstairs to make his call and give them some alone time.

  “I knew you’d do something to make sure I came home.” Kira peeked her head around the door to Averil’s hospital room.

  “Kira, you’re here.” Averil held her arms out to Kira.

  “I came as quick as I could. The cabin is taken care of, and I’ve quit my job. The only thing left for me to do is empty my apartment and cancel the lease. I’m here to stay.”

  “That makes me feel much better. Mom and Dad are going to be very happy.”

  “Are you really better, or are you putting up a good front?” Kira touched her arm and found it cool. She leaned forward and breathed deeply then backed off, coughing. “There’s still some of whatever it was, in your system. Who’s your doctor?”

  “My main physician is Dr. Jack Talisman. Do you remember him?”

  “Vaguely. Is he good?”

  “Yes. He also had another specialist check me. A doctor who studies substances and poisons dangerous to our species. He came in a few minutes ago. He said I’d been poisoned and for me to have had such a severe reaction, where it almost destroyed my internal system, the person who developed it knows our bodies’ makeup. It’s been concocted by one of our own.” Averil took hold of her sister’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “I am, too. Rest and get better. We’ll find out who’s doing this. If it is one of our own, I’m afraid he or she isn’t finished.”

  * * * *

  Gala heard the news as she served lunch at the main ranch house. She wanted to shout with joy but managed to keep her expression calm and pleasant. Her first success. She’d almost killed her.

  She went back to the kitchen to get the tea pitcher. But in her mind she pictured her next step. This time she’d hit randomly and use a full dose. She’d choose her victim carefully. That would confuse them as to whether the attacks were caused by the environment or a skillful assassin. She liked that description. Her father would be proud. She pictured him smiling down on her.

  “Gala, they’re waiting for the tea. It’s not like you to daydream.” Tessa stood in the kitchen doorway with her hands on her hips.

  “Sorry, I felt dizzy for a second.”

  Tessa hurried to her side and felt her forehead. “I hope you’re not getting what attacked Averil.” She took the pitcher. “You go on home. Let me know how you are later today.”

  “Thanks. I haven’t felt good, but I just had two days off. I didn’t want to miss any more work.”

  “Nonsense. No one expects you to be here when you’re sick. Go home.”

  Gala grinned to herself. She hadn’t thought of a way to get off until Tessa came to the door. She was brilliant, as smart as her father or smarter. She was going to succeed where he failed.

  Gala took off her apron and slipped out the back door. Now to find her random victim and arrange his or her demise.

  * * * *

  Kira left the hospital with her father to meet the leaders at the main ranch house. When they arrived, Sara, Mitch Stanton and Daren Connor’s wife, greeted them.

  “All the men are downstairs in the soundproof meeting room. I’ll lead you to them.” She had them get on an elevator and they went underground. Then they followed her to the door of the conference room. “Go on in. They’re waiting for you.” Sara smiled and turned back toward the elevator.

  Four sets of eyes looked at her and her father as they walked inside. She’d heard their names but hadn’t met them.

  A tall, blond man with smiling gray eyes got up and walked toward them. “Hi, I’m Daren Connor. Welcome.”

  Her father introduced Kira. “She’s the twin sister of Averil. But we’d like that information kept quiet for now.”

  “I’m Mitch Stanton. Please have a seat and you stay, too, Bud. Daren and I are the leaders of the two tribes.” He motioned his head toward the other two men. “Do you know them? They’re the leaders of the third tribe.”

  “No.”

  “The man at the end of the table is Garth Sherwyn and next to him is Lann Quinlain. The majority of the third tribe recently joined us here in Wyoming. They’re building a ranch next to ours.”

  Kira and her father sat at the long table. She looked at each man before speaking. “I have seen my sister, and I think she was attacked by one of our own. There is someone else who didn’t die in the battle. If we don’t find them, he or she will strike again.”

  Lann leaned back in his chair and studied her face. His brilliant emerald eyes gave her a slight shiver.

  “What brings you to this conclusion?” he asked. He glanced at his watch. “You have only been here a few hours and yet you know more than us?”

  Kira sat straighter in her chair and didn’t break eye contact with him. “When I saw my sister, I touched her skin and smelled her hair. Whatever got in her is still not completely gone. She said a doctor told her she’d been poisoned and whoever made the poison knew our bodies’ makeup. You can help or I’ll do it on my own. But I’m looking for an enemy right here on one of these ranches.”

  “Do you have special skills to help you?” Garth asked.

  “I do. But I won’t disclose them at this time.”

  The leaders looked from her to her dad. “You knew about this daughter ever since you married her mother?”

  “Yes, that’s the main reason we didn’t live at the ranch until they were old enough to be on their own. Averil chose to come here with us. Kira wanted to be private. She’s been living in Sacramento.”

  “We’ll allow you to do it your way, for now,” Mitch said. He looked down the table. “Does everyone else agree?” They all nodded.

  “But,” Lann added, “we will be doing our own investigation, too.”

  “Also we’d like Sahale Connor to ask his grandmother to be your assistant with Garth’s mother. You’ll understand why when you meet them.” Daren smiled at her. “Believe me, they’ll be invaluable.”

  “My curiosity is aroused. When can I see them?”

  “Nanna will be flown here if she’s agreeable. Garth’s mother is here on the ranch, so you two can meet tonight at dinner. You and your parents are invited, but your parents will not be in the meeting afterwards. Understood?” Mitch waited until she shook her head yes.

  “Then until supper tonight at six o’clock.

  “Kira, I’ll walk you down the hall to the labs where our scientists work.” Mitch guided her along one of several hallways. “I think you might like to talk with Ellen, one of our scientists and Sahale and Jack’s wife. She’s the one in charge of finding out what happened to your sister.”

  When Kira met Ellen, she immediately liked her. Mitch left them alone and Ellen led her into a small office.

  “Welcome to my cubbyhole. But I’m seldom here. I’m usually in the lab.” She studied Kira. “You and your sister look much alike, but she has brown eyes and your eyes are a misty purple. They’re very different.”

  “We aren’t identical twins. But we do fool people who don’t know us well.”

  Ellen sat behind her desk and motioned for Kira to sit. “I was in here looking up some information I read several years ago. I just found it. It further convinces me your sister was poisoned. But with what, we have no idea. I’m going to have my crew working to break down the tiny spot of resin one of them found on the handle of the coffee cup.”

  “Poison hidden in resi
n?”

  “According to this article written by one of our research specialists several years ago, a little-known type of resin will absorb the poison, and when touched by one of our people, it goes through the skin. I’m copying this article for the ones working on the resin. It may give them an idea of how to break into it and separate the poison.”

  “How soon might you have a cure?”

  “We’re talking at least months. Hopefully the person can be found before then.”

  “If not, our tribes will have lost the war they thought they won.” Kira knew then it was up to her to win this battle.

  Chapter Six

  “Young lady, I’m letting you go home this morning.” Dr. Jack Talisman stood at Averil’s door. He walked on into the room. “Your blood levels are back to normal. You’ll be fine unless you get another attack. I have one stipulation about your discharge. You may not like it.”

  “What?”

  “You have to be protected. So you need to stay somewhere that’s not your home or your parents’. I’ve talked with Cody.” He shook his head. “I see your glower. Relax. The man loves you and would lay down his life if necessary. He and Payton have a place far from the main ranch. You will stay there with them. Payton will join the two of you once he’s fully recovered. One of them will be with you at all times.”

  “Why? My sister can be with me at home.”

  “Mitch called. Your sister is going to be busy looking for the person or persons who poisoned you. She’s convinced it was done by one of our people.”

  “Will my parents take me to Cody and Payton’s house?”

  “Your dad is waiting outside. I wanted to talk with you alone. This is important. One more attack on you would most likely be fatal. We have to keep you safe.”

  Averil nodded her head. Inside her nerves jumped with frustration and if she was honest, a bit of excitement. At least she’d have a chance to get to know them better without making a commitment. Heat raced through her body, and her pussy pulsed with desire.

  “I think I may be too weak to go anywhere yet.”