Night Bites (11 page)

“Sebby, how soon before Marcus can travel? I imagine you want him to come too,” I yell unnecessarily.

“The UV will probably be too high for him until three. Even then, if we leave before him, flying to catch up may be an issue. We have been testing some spray on protection that might help.”

In a town of one hundred where everyone is a suspect, I am going to have to do a lot of interviewing. If we hope to stop the next skinning, I don't have a lot of time to waste.

“I think he is going to need to catch up later. How about you two? How long do you need to get ready?”

“You know me, Princess. I’m ready at a moment’s notice,” Jonas replies.

“I would just need five minutes to throw some things in a bag, love. If Clyde's stuff has arrived, we might want to grab some of it. I don't know how well he travels, but maybe having some chews or something will keep him preoccupied.”

Having a real collar and leash for him might be handy. Speaking of the devil, I glance down since I haven't heard from him in a while and find him passed out.

“Do you normally travel with all these people?” Kent asks.

“At least. Clyde is new, like I mentioned, but normally I have a couple guards nearby just for bathroom breaks.”

“I was under the impression you were this kick ass assassin that could take care of yourself,” he replies.

“Really? So was I. Maybe you can convince Alex and Sebastian the guards aren’t necessary. I think I have been without them maybe three times in the last month. One of those times I had Alex with me, so it doesn't really count.”

“Princess, I don't think this is a good time to be bringing those facts up,” Jonas says warningly from the other room.

Before I can ask why the Hell not, Sebastian appears in the doorway. “You know better than to try my patience today, love. The guards are permanent. The fact that you were kidnapped just days ago, proves they are there for a reason.”

“I know. I know. You are coming in loud and clear. I just miss the days of peeing without five sets of ears listening in. Why don't we head back to base and get everything ready? I would like to be on the road within an hour,” I say standing up.

Kent does the same and stares down at me from his mile high stature. He blinks and shakes his head. At least he is smart enough not to open his mouth.

“I know I am short. The sooner you get over it, the sooner world peace will be granted,” I say not caring if it makes a lick of sense. My mind is on the case and I have more important things to do than make sense.

Chapter 14

Every puppy needs a pair of floaties

Okay, so, I was really joking about the whole horse thing, but sure enough tied up outside my building is a beautiful brown horse. I know nothing about them, since like most animals they are scarce around these parts. I am shocked to see that it isn't skittish around the wolves stopping to take a look.

I think Clyde is sure of his dominance in this case because he doesn't even bother growling at the horse. Everyone else walking down the street, though, he puts in his or her place.

Even with the whole lack of general horse knowledge, I know that he or she is not going to travel as fast as my Suburban, and the Suburban ain't going to be going slow.

“Do we happen to have a horse trailer we can get our hands on?” I ask not caring who answers.

“We have a trailer that could work,” Sebastian answers. He is by my side, once again holding my hand. “It's a few years old and a spare for the arena so if it gets messed up, no one will mind.”

“If they do, I am sure you can change their minds. Kent, you okay riding with us once we pick up our vehicle and bags?”

“Sure. It has been over a decade since I have been in a vehicle, but I am sure not much has changed. It's not like I would be driving. If that were the case, we may be in trouble.” Sebastian takes out his phone to make the call to have the trailer delivered. With him barking out the commands, the trailer might beat us home.

“Okay, why don't you mount up? We are only a few blocks away and are walking.” I wonder if people have started videotaping my trips down Main Street. There is probably a special website out there somewhere for my crazy antics. Me walking with a horse will be the talk of the town for at least a day.

Kent climbs on top of his horse and trots it around in a circle. “I take it you are used to the stares?” he asks stepping in line beside us as we start home.

“It's just another day in my life. I think even Jonas has gotten used to it at this point,” I reply.

“With you as a charge, I have learned to be very adaptable,” he says trying to be diplomatic.

“Sadly, there are some things you cannot adapt to,” I say smiling thinking of my wings.

“Well, if you are naughty, I will just run and tell Alex so he can deal with you,” he responds.

“And we all know how good he is about disciplining me. He isn't very good about sending me to bed without dinner.” The guy doesn't like pain, and he can feel my pain through our bond, so spanking me for being naughty is right out. No matter how many times he threatens it.

“So, what exactly are your relationships?” Kent asks. “I hear and sense some very confusing things. I get Jonas is a guard, but I am not sure what Alex is to you. You also have a vampire next to you that seems to be touchy.”

“Here is a quick rundown. Jonas, Jake, Smitty, and Marcus are my guards. You could probably throw Clyde in with them. Although, there are rumors he is supposed to be a practice child for me. I am pretty sure any baby I have won't be as cute as he is. Moving on, Sebastian is the love of my life and Alex is my mate,” I inform him.

“Technically, Sebastian is my mate too, but I prefer love of my life.” I am hoping the bonded mate thing will be true again within the next couple of days. Sebby squeezes my hand letting me know he likes my summation.

“You have a vampire and a werewolf mate,” Kent states trying to work it out in his head.

Now there is a website for me to launch. Pictures of the faces people make when they hear I have two mates. Not a lot of people know it for a certainty, but the ones that do always have this weird look on their face, like I just laid out all the principles of nuclear fission or something. Of course, I don't know a thing about nuclear fission or if it even has principles, but it does have nuclear in it, so I am sure it is awesome.

That is enough of my mental vacation. I have a conversation I am supposed to be interested in.

“Either that or I am a big hussy, and judging by the men I have chosen in each faction I would have to be one stupid hussy. I am currently a little altered, or so I am told. Otherwise, you would be able to smell a stronger scent of wolf on me. I am what I classify as defective and what others call special.”

“You are dual-natured?”

“Sure, we will go with that.” I don't really want to get into the little technicality in his statement with a guy I don't really know. Plus, being tri-natured would probably blow his mind.

“For this case, smelling more wolfy would have been better, but we will have to deal with the issue as it comes up.”

“Just think about it, a whole three people in your town might be willing to talk to me. That is probably three more people than would usually speak to me by just knowing my reputation alone.” By now, we are back at the compound.

Alex may have been listening in, so he would know I am planning to leave, but even if he does, I need to tell him face-to-face. It is all part of my plan to be more mature. The plan started a whole five seconds ago.

“So, how are we on clearance?” I know the guys tend to be sticklers about just letting anybody walk into our castle.

“I think Alex would be okay with letting him in, but it is officially Sebastian’s place, so it is ultimately his decision,” Jonas answers.

“You vouching for him, Jonas?” Sebastian asks.

“He has helped some of our people when we have needed him. I don't think he will use anything he learns against us. He already knows Princess is a little bit different, and I don't see him finding out all her little secrets within the ten minutes we are in the building.”

“Then he can come up. We may need help carrying stuff down anyway. Might as well put him to work.”

We make our way upstairs and find piles of boxes in the lobby of my apartment. “Look Clyde, your presents are here.” Clyde bounces over to inspect the boxes. Not impressed he starts to lift his leg. “Clyde, what have I told you. We don't potty in the house. Plus, that box is your new puppy palace. When we get home from our trip we will put it together for you.”

“Do you think this is all the deliveries you are expecting?” Alex asks joining us. I swear the guys never go home. “They have been coming nonstop over the last hour.”

When Sebastian first gave me this place to live, I thought it would be a hideaway for me that he would visit occasionally. Now, it is like a big clubhouse for all the guys. The guards have sleeping areas in the apartment proper and Sebastian and Alex both have separate apartments not far, but they only visit them about every other day.

“I cannot imagine there would be anything else. As it is, I think I might have gone just a tad overboard,” I say taking another look at all the boxes. Jonas has already started opening them looking for things we might need.

“This box contains swimming floaties and goggles for him,” he says looking at a packing slip. “Did you really think those were necessary?”

“You had to see the picture of them on a puppy. I could just see them on Clyde and we don't want him to drown, do we?” I say stating my very weak case.

He just shakes his head. In fact, everyone except Sebastian is shaking their head at me. What? Sheesh. It sounded like a good idea at the time.

“You two go get packed. Sebastian should have enough stuff here that he can throw a bag together with you. Me and Kent will go through these real quick looking for the leash and collar and anything that would be helpful for a road trip. Hopefully the picture that went with the doggie sleeping pills was just as cute as the one with the floaties,” Jonas says giving up on one box and moving on to another.

“Fine by me. Come on guys,” I say dragging Clyde and Sebastian along. Alex comes with us, which is just what I planned.

I grab a bag from my closet. “Do you want separate bags or can we throw everything in one?”

“I am fine with sharing. That way my clothes will smell like you,” Sebastian says grabbing things from his drawer. Yes, they both have designated drawers in my room. I had a moment of weakness one day.

“How much do you know?” I ask Alex while grabbing three sets of my favorite tops and pants before weaving to my underwear drawer.

“I heard everything and, of course, do not want you involved and know even just saying that is a waste of breath,” he says with a sigh. Well, at least he is learning. Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks. “Any idea on how long you will be gone?”

“I would love to be able to catch the guy before he skins again, but tomorrow is the deadline and I don't even have the lay of the land yet. It is really hard to say. For sure within six days. I won’t let him get two girls under my watch.” All of our stuff is packed. We don't even bother folding anything. I don't know about Sebastian’s choices, but mine are wrinkle free so if they get curled into little balls, it won't matter.

“Do you by any chance think your situation will be taken care of by the time you get back?”

Not immediately knowing what he is talking about, I look at him. He is staring between me and something behind me, which could only be Sebby. Oh, that situation. Sebastian had taken a moment to keep his hands to himself, so I almost forgot.

“I don't know that the opportunity will arise in the middle of a murder investigation. It was implied that we are missing some wording as well. Unless you figured that part out during my meeting,” I say spinning around to catch Sebastian leaning in to smell my hair. I did mention he was going to drive me insane.

“I found some references to the text I think I need to find and have some people working on it. Until we get it, though, I don't think we can do much.”

“I can get my people looking, too, if you want. I would really like to see this bond back together. I never knew how tiring it was for you to be the pillar in this crazy relationship,” Alex says ignoring me and speaking to Sebastian.

“What do you mean pillar?” I ask curious about his wording.

“As fragile as our little triangle is, one of us guys has to be strong enough to hold us all together. I tend to allow Sebastian to serve that role. He is the oldest and has the most knowledge out of any of us. He rarely becomes impulsive and keeps his head on straight under all levels of stress.” That does sound an awful lot like Sebastian and I have always thought of him as my rock.

“I, on the other hand, like to lead my army during the day, but want to come home and let loose. I do things without always thinking them through and have to hope in the end they were the right thing. I like to have fun, take you to fights, taunt you about sex and, just in general, live life to its fullest. With your connection screwed up, I am forced to try to keep my head on straight and you don't know how hard that is. So, even though, it is weird to have to think about you two sleeping together, I wish you guys would get on with it.”

I look over at Sebastian and he just shrugs. Having a guy you are kind of in competition with telling you to hurry up and sleep with his girl is probably a little weird. Oh well. It will happen when it happens.

“I will do what I can to fulfill your request,” I say smiling back at Alex. “I wonder if Sebastian’s dick is solid stone like yours.”

“You really are going to get a spanking from me one of these days,” Alex says grinning from ear to ear. “Now get out of here before I break down and make it today.”

“Yes, Master,” I say bending down to remove the rope from around Clyde's neck to make room for his new collar. “We will get of here immediately to steer clear of your wrath.”

Chapter 15