by Nina Croft
“And came running to my rescue—how sweet.”
He scowled and turned away. “I should have left you to Ethan,” he muttered. “Would have served him right.”
Regan stared at his broad back. She didn’t know whether to believe him or not. She wished she knew what Ethan’s plan was. Obviously, he wanted something from her. But what? And who was the old acquaintance he’d mentioned? Was it the same person he’d told Caleb he was working with?
On balance, she decided she did believe Caleb. It had been so obvious that he wanted to get away from her, as fast and as far as possible, on both occasions they’d met. Still, she didn’t trust him. She didn’t trust many people.
She needed to get out there, hunt down Ethan Stone, and find out what was going on. And rescue her hounds, presuming Ethan had them. She hoped so, but how could she go now? She didn’t want to leave Catrin and Lola alone, not while Ethan might be sniffing around. He might just decide that one witch was as good as another and take one of her sisters instead.
On the other hand, she couldn’t just wait for Ethan to go ahead with his plan for taking over the world. No way was the world being taken over by a bunch of dogs. Even if she was one of those dogs now. It was enough to make her brain explode.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a movement behind her.
“Here,” Caleb said.
She turned to see him stripping off the pink robe. He tossed it to the floor between them and stood before her, naked. He was beautiful, and she didn’t even try to look away. She let her eyes wander over the tall, powerful body; if she wasn’t going to see him again, she might as well get her fill. She worked her way up to his face, as beautiful as the rest of him. His expression was blank.
She realized he was leaving. Right now, and a sharp pain stabbed somewhere in her middle. Always in the past, she’d been the one to walk away. But she remembered the feel of his hard body on her, in her, and she couldn’t bear to go. To never see him again.
Her brain struggled to come up with some logical argument as to why he should stay. And came up with nothing.
“Good-bye,” he said.
She opened her mouth to argue, but instead only one word came out. “Good-bye.”
He turned and walked away.
Regan watched until his tall figure disappeared into the trees, then she sank down onto the forest floor and clutched the pink robe, holding it to her nose and breathing in the last trace of him.
Chapter Eight
Regan spent the remainder of the day wandering the forest, first as a human, but then she started experimenting. She’d thought she might need the full moon to change but found that now she recognized the magic, she could change at will.
As the sun lowered in the sky, she made her way to the stone altar that lay in the center of the forest. She tiptoed out of the trees, her pads making no sound. Changing back into her human form, she knelt on the altar and prayed to her mother.
She stayed on her knees for hours, and darkness had fallen by the time she rose stiffly to her feet. No one had answered her prayers. Had she really expected them to? The old resentment and bitterness escalated inside her as she turned her back on the altar and headed for home.
Catrin and Lola were seated at the scrubbed wooden table in the kitchen. They both glanced up as she entered the kitchen, and relief flashed across their faces.
Catrin looked past Regan and frowned. “Where’s Caleb?”
Regan scowled at the question. “Long gone.”
“I thought he’d stay with you.”
“Well, you thought wrong.” Then she shrugged. “He stayed last night, then left this morning.”
“Why did he go?” Lola asked.
The question made it sound as though it was Regan’s fault he’d done a runner. “I suppose he had better things to do.”
A small frown played across Catrin’s face. “So, are you okay now?”
She glared. “No, I’m not okay. I’m a freaking werewolf.”
A noise came from behind her, a cross between a cough and a snort, and she went instantly still.
The sound came again, and she turned to see two people framed in the open doorway. Her eyes fixed on the smaller figure, and a warm rush of pleasure washed over her. “Gina!”
Gina came forward, wrapped her arms around Regan’s waist, and hugged her. Regan held her tight while she glanced over her sister’s shoulder to where her husband stood lounging against the doorframe, arms folded across his broad chest, watching them with a slightly wary expression in his dark eyes.
She hadn’t always gotten along with Gina’s husband, and Regan could admit that a small part of that was her fault. A very small part. Regan had hated the vampire from the first moment she’d set eyes on him. And with good cause—Darius Cole had stolen her baby sister. That Gina hadn’t exactly objected to being stolen was beside the point. They had eventually reached some sort of truce because in the end, he had also managed to save her. Though in Regan’s mind, if he’d kept out of their lives in the first place, then Gina wouldn’t have needed saving.
He caught her gaze, raised an eyebrow, then stepped into the room. “Did I hear you right?” he said. “You’re a werewolf?”
There was a wealth of disdain in that last word, and Regan bristled. She ignored the question and held Gina slightly away from her so she could peer down into her face. Her sister grinned, flashing small white fangs.
“You look good,” Regan said. It was true; she had never seen her sister look so alive. Which was ironic, really.
“I feel good,” Gina replied. “Very good.”
She stepped back and slipped her hand into Darius’s. He pulled her tight against his chest and stared across at Regan through half-closed eyes. It was a gesture of pure ownership, and Regan’s own eyes narrowed on the couple. Then she forced herself to relax.
“So,” Darius said, “about this werewolf thing...?”
He appeared to find the whole idea fascinating. Regan scowled, but said nothing.
“Regan got bit by a werewolf a couple of weeks ago,” Catrin volunteered.
Darius studied her, head cocked to one side. “And last night was full moon. Did you—” He paused as if unsure how to word his question.
“Go all furry and howl at the moon?” Regan snapped.
“Yeah.” He must have liked the idea because his lips curled into a smile.
Regan considered denying it, but what was the point? She nodded.
“Christ almighty,” Darius murmured. “This is priceless.” Gina punched him on the arm, and his smile broadened into a full-blown grin of delight. “Haven’t I always said your sister was a bitch?”
“Ha, ha,” Regan muttered.
Giving her husband a look of reproach, Gina pulled out of his arms. She crossed to Regan and put a hand on her shoulder. “How are you?” she asked.
Regan saw the concern in her sister’s face. Gina had always been too compassionate; it had gotten her into trouble many times. “Actually, I’m fine.” She gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
Gina gave her a look of disbelief.
“Really,” Regan said. “The furry bit was… kind of fun.”
“What was it like?” Darius asked.
Regan was unsure how to answer. Instead, she closed her eyes and allowed wolf to rise up inside her. When she opened her eyes, she knew they were changed—wolf’s eyes peering out from her human face. She stared at Darius and allowed a small growl to trickle from her throat.
He appeared fascinated, but unafraid, which pissed wolf off a little, but Regan forced her back down.
“Can you change when you want? Or does it have to be full moon?” he asked. “Can you think when you’re a dog? Do you—” Her eyes narrowed again, and he shut up. Then he gave a shrug. “We know very little about the wolves.”
“Join the club,” Regan said.
“You could be a great source of information for the Council.” He frowned. “Though I suppose you’re hardl
y going to be typical.”
“I have no wish to help the Council with anything,” Regan said. “And I’m certainly not going to be some sort of specimen for you to study. But I do need to find out why it happened, and what they wanted me for.”
Darius pulled out a chair for Gina and sat down next to her at the big wooden table. He regarded Regan curiously. “How much do you know?”
Regan forced herself to take a seat opposite. She hated him, but maybe he would have some information that might be useful to her.
“In your work with the Council, have you ever come across a man named Caleb Stone?” she asked.
Darius shook his head.
“What about Ethan Stone?”
He thought for a moment. “That name rings a bell.”
“He’s the wolf who bit Regan,” Catrin said.
“And Caleb Stone?”
“His son,” Regan said.
She heard Catrin gasp. “Caleb is the son of the wolf that bit you?” she asked.
Regan nodded.
“I didn’t see that,” Catrin said. “How did you find out?”
“He told me.”
“Okay,” Darius said, “tell me what happened.”
She related the events of the night she’d been bitten, right up until that evening, only omitting the fact that she and Caleb had made love.
“And you have no idea who this past acquaintance is?” Darius asked when she fell silent.
“I told you—I just don’t know. I’m over two thousand years old. I’ve met one or two people in that time.”
“And probably pissed off most of them.”
Regan didn’t deny it, but she was confused by something Ethan had said. That he wasn’t to rape her. That “the acquaintance” would rip out his heart if he touched her that way. It didn’t sound like the threat of someone who hated her. She gnawed on her lower lip, trying to make sense of it all, but failing miserably.
She glanced across at Gina and realized now that her sister was back, Regan at least had the chance to go off and look for some answers. “Are you two going to stick around for a while?”
Gina nodded. “Catrin has decorated some rooms in the basement for us.”
Regan knew that. Catrin had worked hard to make her sister and her new husband feel welcome. There was a whole suite of rooms down there. She glanced at Darius. He didn’t look too thrilled with the idea, probably worried about Regan sneaking down in the daytime and sticking a stake through his heart. She smiled at the thought.
“We’ll be bolting the doors,” he said.
She raised an eyebrow. “You really think that will help?”
Gina laughed and patted his knee. “I’ll protect you.”
It was good to see Gina so happy. It wasn’t what Regan would have chosen for her sister, but she was willing to suspend her hatred of the bloodsucker as long as he looked after her. She left them talking with Lola but was aware of Catrin behind her as she left the kitchen. Her sister followed her into her room and watched as Regan dragged a bag out of the wardrobe and started to pack. “What are you doing?” she asked.
Regan glanced up. “Gina’s back.”
“I know. So?”
“So you can cope without me.”
“We need you, Regan.”
“But you can manage without me, and I need to find Ethan Stone.”
“And Caleb?”
“What about him?”
“Will he be there?”
“No. Even if I wanted him—which I don’t—he’s made it perfectly clear that he wants nothing to do with me or my world.” She zipped up the bag and picked it up. “I need to finish this.” She leaned across and kissed Catrin on the cheek. “Keep looking for that spell for me. And make sure Lola doesn’t get into trouble.” What else? “And don’t invite any more vampires into the house.”
Catrin nodded. “Please keep in touch,” she said. “Let us know where you are.”
“I will.”
#
Finding Ethan Stone turned out harder than she’d anticipated.
He’d vanished without a goddamn trace.
Regan had tried every spell she could think of, but Ethan’s Stone’s location continued to elude her. She’d been searching for nearly four weeks now, but it was time to give up.
It was full moon in two days.
She could feel the pull in her blood. She’d changed many times now, and she and wolf were familiar companions, but at the thought of the full moon, excitement rose up from deep inside her. Always since the first time, she had been in charge, but full moon was wolf’s time, when wolf would reign supreme and own the night.
And wolf didn’t want to run alone. Wolf knew exactly who she wanted to run with.
A bond existed between her and Caleb. Regan had tried to deny it, but it was real. His pull was as strong as the pull of the moon.
She hadn’t phoned home since she left, and her cell phone had remained switched off. Now she dug it out from the bottom of her bag and punched in Catrin’s number.
“Have you found a spell to reverse the werewolf bite yet?” she asked as soon as Catrin picked up.
“Hello, Regan, how are you? We’re all well—thank you for asking.”
Regan sighed and tried to ignore the twinge of guilt. “Sorry,” she muttered.
“And no, I haven’t found the spell yet, but I’m still looking. Where are you?”
“It doesn’t matter. I haven’t found Ethan Stone.”
“Caleb’s called a few times. He wanted to know where you were. I told him I had no idea, but he left a number. I sent it to your phone.”
“He did?” Regan tried for nonchalance, but a frisson of excitement shivered through her at the thought. “I wanted to talk to Caleb anyway,” she said. “I’m pretty sure he must know where Ethan is.”
“Well, now you can.”
Regan frowned. Catrin sounded pissed off with her. Which was odd. Catrin never got pissed off with anyone. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“Of course I’m okay. Why shouldn’t I be? My oldest sister just vanished off the face of the earth. My younger—” She stopped in mid flow.
“Is there something wrong with Gina?” If that vampire had done something to her baby sister, she would really kill him this time—stake him through the heart.
“No, nothing, but honestly, Regan, the two of them never get out of bed.”
“Oh.” Then something occurred to her. “Are you jealous?”
Catrin was silent for a moment. “Maybe.”
Regan needed to get home. She needed to get her life sorted out and get back before Catrin decided to head out and look for a vampire of her own.
“How’s Lola?”
“Fine. She misses you.”
She sighed. “I’ll be back soon.” She hoped. “Don’t do anything drastic. And find me that spell.”
Ending the call, Regan stared down at her cell phone. She had Caleb’s number, but she didn’t want to talk to him—she wanted to see him, touch him. Reassure herself that he was okay.
She was going hunting for a wolf.
Chapter Nine
Regan peered up at the huge glass and steel building that loomed over her. In the end, finding Caleb had been easy. Or at least so she’d thought, but this hardly looked like the lair of a werewolf. Maybe she’d hunted down the wrong Caleb Stone.
She was in the heart of the city of London, right slam in the middle of the business district and at the headquarters of Stone Enterprises, a private security firm that provided services all around the world. And according to her research, Caleb owned it.
The glass doors slid open, and Regan entered the reception area. Glancing around her, she couldn’t help but be impressed. The place was opulent, ultra-modern, with loads of stainless steel, marble, and lush, green, potted plants. In the center of the room was an actual pond with fat, orange carp swimming lethargically and a waterfall at one end. Caleb was obviously doing all right for himself.
Across
the huge expanse of floor, a perfectly made-up blonde sat behind the reception desk. Regan stalked up to the desk, ignoring the dismissive glance the other woman gave her. “I want to see Caleb.”
The blonde looked her up and down, clearly unimpressed. “I’m afraid Mr. Stone doesn’t see anyone without an appointment.”
“Look”—Regan leaned across the desk and read the name label pinned to the woman’s left breast—“Gretchen, just call him up and tell him Regan’s here to see him.”
Gretchen smiled—it didn’t reach her pale blue eyes. “I’m sorry, but that’s not company policy. If you would like to leave a name and number, we’ll contact you if Mr. Stone wishes to see you.”
The tone implied it was extremely unlikely.
Regan pursed her lips and contemplated which spell to use. She’d always had a preference for the toad one. She glanced at the pond, it would be so convenient—the toad wouldn’t even have to leave the building—perfect. Of course, while personally satisfying, that wouldn’t help her get to Caleb, so she settled on a simple compulsion spell. She opened her mouth to speak it when the phone on the reception desk rang.
Gretchen picked it up, listened, and a flicker of annoyance flashed across her face. She put the phone down and looked at Regan.
“You’re to go up—top floor.”
“Thank you, you’ve been so helpful.”
Caleb’s top floor office was bigger than the reception area, and it took her a few seconds to locate him. His back was to her. He was standing in front of one of the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring down at the city below, looking unfamiliar in a dark business suit that fitted him to perfection.
He didn’t turn as she entered; made no indication he even knew she was there. But his shoulders were stiff, every line of his body radiating tension.
She moved to stand beside him. Breathing in deeply, she smelled that musky, almost feral scent she had come to associate with him, and inside her, wolf stirred to life, sensing his presence. Wolf was pleased to see him. She’d been lonely and was willing to admit it, even if Regan was not.
