Apostate

by Frankie Robertson

  “What if he won’t see you?” Tasha asked.

  “Then we’ll go to Plan B.”

  “What’s Plan B?”

  “I’ll let you know when I do.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kellan slid beneath the covers and snuggled Tasha close. She was already half asleep so he dropped a gentle kiss on her shoulder and spooned up behind her, wrapping an arm around her and cupping her breast through the thin sleep shirt she wore. Something within him released when they were in contact. He was able to lock away his rage at what had been done to Jasper.

  When he’d been new to inhabiting a human body, and much, much younger, he’d resisted the almost gravitational pull of love. He’d explained it away as “mere” hormones and pretended that the body’s instinctive craving for its mate was less important than what preoccupied the mind. Lucky for him, a wise woman had taught him otherwise a few thousand years ago. The mind and the body were entwined, even for U’dahmi. Life could be short, and love didn’t come along in every lifetime. It shouldn’t be wasted. He’d kept his distance from Tasha for the last six months so she could learn and adapt to her new skills without distraction. He’d wanted her to have time to adjust, and not feel obligated to him. But he’d known from that first taste of her blood when she’d saved his life that there was something special about her, and he thanked the fates that she cared for him, too.

  Tasha turned in his arms and kissed him. **Of course I care for you.** Her kiss, which began with a tender joining of their lips transformed as her tongue sought to dance with his. Passion made every inch of him more sensitive. He had to feel her, and his hands found their way under her shirt. He stroked her back, savoring the smooth texture of her skin. She moaned into his mouth, then pulled away. He almost objected, but then he saw her intention as Tasha crawled over him, straddling his hips and yanking her shirt over her head. He wanted to feel her pressed skin to skin but she teased him, tickling him with her nipples as she rocked against his erection.

  **You’re not wearing panties.** His libido jumped up another notch.

  She chuckled and sat up. **Just noticed that, did you?**

  **I was preoccupied.**

  **I know.** She kissed his shoulder tenderly.

  Her compassion and sorrow for his loss was a balm to his soul, but he didn’t want to dwell on his pain and anger. He stroked her from breast to hip and back again. All he wanted to think about was her. She was beautiful and brave and feisty—and sexy as hell.

  **You’ll turn a girl’s head thinking thoughts like that.** Braced on one hand, Tasha leaned forward to cup his cheek and kissed his lips with a hint of purpose. His cock throbbed against her. Tasha lifted up with the intent to sheath him with her body, but Kellan held her in place.

  **Not yet. There’s no rush.**

  **Would you like to feed, first?**

  Kellan blinked. **It’s only been a few days since I took blood from you. I don’t need to feed that often.** Once a month was enough and she knew it.

  **That was just so you could test my defenses. You’ve suffered a shock and who knows what you’ll come up against while looking for Jasper’s killer? You need to be in top form.**

  **The energy we share when we make love is enough to sustain me.** It wasn’t just the small amount of blood that fed the spells that sustained him, it was the sampling of life force that kept the mortal body he wore from burning out. When they made love parts of them blended and magnified their pleasure. It wasn’t just physical. It was something more.

  ** I feel that, too. When we make love, it somehow amplifies everything. But you give as much as you take and I have life force to spare. Why are you arguing with me?**

  Because I’m afraid of hurting you. Kellan held the thought behind a mental barrier he’d never let anyone breach. Only when the First had laid the U’dahmi spells upon him had another being seen that deeply. Tasha’s power, her vibrancy, called to him creating a hunger he’d never experienced before. This might be the real reason U’dahmi were warned away from Progeny and Fey. Even more than their ability to recognize U’dahmi for what they were, they created this need. A need he had under control as long as he didn’t feed from her too deeply or too often. Was this an U’dahmi weakness alone, or did Jared and Gideon experience this as well? He wasn’t going to ask, lest he alarm them. And he wasn’t about to frighten Tasha with something he had under control, either.

  **I promise, I’ll feed if I need to.** He raised his hands to her face, pulling her down for a delicate kiss.

  **You’d better.** Her thoughts started to settle into the pleasant haze of their embrace as he nipped and nibbled her lips and neck, but then she pulled back. **I’m sorry. You’ve been managing your needs without my input for a long time. You don’t need me telling you how to live.**

  **I like it that you care. I wasn’t offended.**

  **You’re probably used to your wives telling you what to do. Or were they subservient to their husband?**

  **I never married a doormat, and when I took over the life of a family man, I tried to encourage independence in the woman I found myself married to. They deserved to have a say in matters that affected them. But none of them nagged me to feed because none of them knew what I am.**

  **So I’m a nag, now?** Her mental tone was mostly amused, but there was a thread of insecurity running through it.

  **Only in the nicest way.**

  **Did you have a wife in most of your lives?**

  **And a few husbands—I sometimes had to assume the body of a woman. Marrying is the norm in most societies, and the U’dahmi know how to blend in.**

  Their kiss turned passionate and the magic that flowed between them intensified every sensation. He rubbed his palms over her breasts, teasing her nipples until they tightened and he felt them send sharp alerts to her core. His cock throbbed against her in response as he shared her sensations. Tasha made soft delightful noises that heightened his hunger for her, rocking her hot slick center against his erection.

  **I need you. Now.** She lifted up and guided him into her. Her heat throbbed around him and he felt his cock stretching her at the same time. Rising pleasure echoed back and forth between them, driving each of them higher. He’d taken only a few short strokes when her orgasm tightened her around him, arching her back, and sending bliss shooting up his spine like a lightning bolt. He held on to his own release by a slim margin. He wasn’t done with her yet. Aftershocks were still rippling through her when he rolled them over. Bracing on his hands he looked down at her satisfied smile and pleasure glazed eyes.

  **You’re so beautiful.** He spoke with his heart as well as his mind, telling her it wasn’t just her body he admired. She warmed under his praise.

  Tasha met his gaze. **So are you.**

  He wasn’t. He’d taken the lives of too many to deserve her compliment. What he’d done had been necessary but he was tarnished by it. But he kept those thoughts to himself and instead stroked slowly into Tasha’s welcoming body until she was undulating and clenching him with her release and filling him with reflected delight. Only then did he let his own need slip the leash. Spiritual and physical gratification overwhelmed him as he came, and he didn’t worry about anything for a long time afterward.

  “We’re scrapping Plan A,” Jared said the next morning as he strode into the great room.

  Tasha looked up from Grace’s sparkly pink fingernails that she was just finishing up. She and Grace both wore tiaras, and Kellan wore a unicorn horn with an attached iridescent mane that flowed halfway down his back.

  “Mr. Landry has an ongoing relationship with another security company and he isn’t interested in hearing any competing bids at this time. We’ll have to think of another way to meet him.” Jared kissed the back of his daughter’s hand. “You look ravishing, your majesty.”

  “Would you like to play, Daddy? You can be the prince and Tasha can paint your nails, too.”

  “Do I get a crown?”

  “Of course!” Gr
ace jumped up and ran to the dress-up trunk in the corner of the room. She pulled out a slightly battered gold circlet with three red “gems” glued onto fleur-de-lis spires. Here! You have to kneel.”

  Jared obligingly took a knee so Grace could place the crown on his head.

  “Now you’re a prince.”

  “Thank you, my lady.” He pulled her close to kiss her cheek, tickling her at the same time.

  Grace giggled and squirmed, but then wiggled free. “Tickling isn’t dignified. Queens have to be dignified.”

  “I thought queens could do whatever they wanted.”

  Grace’s eyes lit up. “Really? Does that mean I can have a pony?”

  Kellan laughed. “You walked into that one.”

  “Isn’t a unicorn better than a pony?” Jared asked.

  “Yes, but he belongs to Tasha. Only she can ride him,” Grace said with the certainty of the very young.

  Tasha’s face warmed while Jared turned his laugh into a cough. “Of course. My mistake.”

  “So, about that pony,” Kellan asked in a too innocent tone.

  “Ponies will have to wait until after we talk to Landry.” Jared bowed to his daughter. “My lady, I need to borrow your courtiers. We have grave matters of state to discuss. I think Mama is done with her client. Ask her to play.”

  “Okay, but she’ll need a princess hat and a magic wand.” Grace rummaged in her treasure chest and then emerged with the required items. She was almost to the hallway when she came back to hug Jared’s leg. “Mamma says that Daddy needs a lot of hugs,” she told Tasha and Kellan, then left leaving Jared with an almost embarrassed smile on his face.

  Tasha glanced at Kellan and saw he had the same smirk on his face that she did.

  “What?” Jared demanded.

  “Nothing.” Kellan assumed an innocent expression. “Cassie’s right. And I want you to know, if you’re ever running low on hugs, I’m here for you.”

  Tasha suppressed a laugh and it came out as a snort.

  Jared gave him the stink-eye. “Plan A is a no-go, but I found out that Landry has a standing tee-time at the La Paloma course. The pro shop said he and his party started on time. If we leave now, we should be able to catch him in the parking lot.”

  Kellan pulled off his unicorn horn. “Great. Let’s go find out if this bastard ordered Jasper’s death.”

  Grace’s shrill scream raised every hair on Tasha’s body.

  “Grace!” Jared shouted, sprinting down the hallway.

  She was quiet now, but the horror and distress in the little girl’s cry had galvanized every muscle. Tasha bolted down the hallway, just behind Jared and Kellan.

  She followed Jared all the way down the corridor into Cassie’s office. The outside door was open and she heard a woman outside exclaim, “I didn’t see her! I didn’t see her!” over and over.

  A moment later, Tasha burst from the house, almost barreling into Kellan who had stopped short. Cassie was folded over behind her client’s older model SUV, murmuring, “Gracie. Look at me, Gracie.” Jared knelt beside her, a hand on her back.

  Oh God! Had the woman backed over Grace?

  Kellan pulled his cell out and hit a number on his speed dial. “Gideon! Get over to Jared’s right now.” The command in his voice made her want to jump into action even though it wasn’t aimed at her.

  “Gracie stop. That’s enough.” Jared’s tone was gentle but firm.

  “But I—,” Grace protested.

  “You’ve done enough. We’ll take her inside and call Gideon.”

  Confusion churned through Tasha, muddying her thoughts. She glanced at Kellan who seemed equally at a loss. **Grace wasn’t hurt?**

  Then Jared stood with Grace held tightly in his arms, his expression strained. “Kellan, would you bring the dog inside?”

  Kellan nodded, scooped up the half-grown golden doodle puppy, and followed Jared inside.

  Cassie turned to her client and put her arm around the woman. “Everything is fine Carol. The dog is going to be okay. You didn’t hurt it.”

  “But I felt the bump! Are you sure? And the way Grace screamed—”

  “I’m sure. Grace over-reacted. Everything is fine.” Cassie looked over at Tasha. “Are you all right to drive? That was quite a shock. Do you need to come in and sit down for a minute to calm your nerves?”

  Tasha thought Cassie would rather be with her daughter, not babysitting her client, so she said, “I’d be happy to sit with you for a few minutes, if you’d like. I can make you some tea.”

  The woman took a deep breath and blew it out as she glanced at Tasha, whom she’d never met before. “Thank you. That’s kind of you, but I’m fine—or I will be. I’m just so glad the puppy wasn’t seriously hurt. Do you know the owners? Would you tell them I’ll pay the vet bills if there are any?”

  “Yes, of course. We’ll tell them,” Cassie said as her client turned and got back into her vehicle.

  Her SUV had barely disappeared around the curve in the road when Gideon barreled into the driveway and jumped out of his car. “What’s happened?”

  “We thought Grace had been hit by a car,” Tasha said at the same time that Cassie said, “Gracie healed a puppy.”

  Gideon looked between the two of them, and then said, “She’s young for her power to develop. She’s okay?”

  Cassie’s brow furrowed as tears came into her eyes. “I think so. My client backed over the neighbor’s puppy and Grace saw it. Before I knew it, she was laying hands on the dog. The bleeding stopped and the wounds closed. Jared had to make her stop or she would have kept going until it was up and ready to play. She could have hurt herself. She’s so little. I don’t want her to have to deal with this stuff yet. I want her to just enjoy being a little girl.”

  Grace healed the puppy? Tasha wasn’t sure why she was surprised, given the little girl’s parentage.

  Gideon gathered Cassie into his arms. “Try not to worry. It was probably just an instinctive response. I’ll look at her.”

  “It’s a good thing Gracie’s godfather is a Guardian.” Cassie’s laugh was shaky as she stepped back and wiped the tears off her cheeks. “Go on in. I’m going to wash my face so I don’t scare Gracie.” He squeezed her arm and disappeared into the house. Cassie gave Tasha a weak smile and made a shooing motion with her hand. “You, too. I need a minute.”

  Tasha nodded and found her way back to the great room, where Jared held his daughter on his lap. Gideon was petting the golden doodle, whose tail was thumping on the leather sofa.

  “If you go now,” Jared said to Kellan, “you can still make it. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until next week.” He looked up as she entered the room. “Take Tasha. You’ll need someone to watch your back.”

  Kellan frowned but he returned a short nod and glanced at her. “Let’s go talk to Landry.”

  Dave’s cell pinged as he pulled into the lot of the Hilton where he’d stashed Julie and Alex. He pulled out his phone as soon as he’d parked and read the text. Jared’s guy had identified the fingerprints Dave had lifted from Chad’s apartment. He didn’t want to know how the guy had access to AFIS. He was just glad the results had come back so quickly.

  He looked up as an extended cab pick-up pulled into a spot nearby. Jack and another man got out. Right on time. Dave pocketed his phone and grabbed his jacket before going over to greet them.

  Jack made the introductions. “This is my friend Pete Melendez. He’s agreed to help us. Pete joined the unit after you left.”

  Melendez shook his hand with a firm grip but didn’t try to prove anything with it. He also assessed Dave with a curious once over, and Dave wondered what Jack had told him.

  “Thank you both for helping me out.” He briefed them on the money, The Lion, and Chad’s apartment being tossed. He’d already been over most of this with Jack, and he assumed Jack had told Melendez, but he wanted them all on the same page. “I hope this will be a boring assignment and your biggest challenge will be playing checker
s with my nephew, but I just got a text about Chad’s associates. The four sets of prints I lifted belong to felons with significant records for a variety of violent offenses, including attempted murder.”

  “Good.” Melendez crossed his arms, making his biceps bulge.

  “Good? I don’t want Julie and Alex to even be in the same county with those guys!”

  Melendez shrugged. “It’s good because if we find ourselves in a firefight, their records will speak in our favor. I’m not going to let your sister or nephew be taken or killed, but I’d rather not wind up in jail, either.”

  “So where are they?” Jack asked.

  “I practically had to twist Julie’s arm to get her to agree, but I have her and Alex stashed in the hotel under my name. That won’t last long, though. She’s frustrated as hell at having her life disrupted. I bought her a new steel-clad door and rigged her trailer with motion sensor lights, but the walls won’t stop a .22, let alone serious weaponry.” Dave started walking and the other two men fell in behind him. “Now that I have addresses for The Lion’s guys I’ll take care of them while you watch Julie and Alex.”

  “Take care of them, how?” Jack stopped in the middle of the hotel lobby, a frown wrinkling his brow. Melendez stopped with him, forcing Dave to halt and walk back to them.

  Frustration, guilt, and regret tightened Dave’s throat. He deserved the question. “I’m not going to kill them, Jack. I’m going to make their boss want to kill them.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Tasha sat up straighter as Kellan said, “There he is.”

  Kellan had parked where he could see golfers coming and going from both the pro shop and the 19th hole. Landry lifted a hand in farewell to his three companions and then approached a sparkling black Lexus, his golf bag slung over one shoulder. That he carried his own bag and didn’t use the valet service spoke in his favor, but that didn’t really mean anything. Just because he was frugal didn’t mean he wasn’t an evil asshole.