The Covert Wolf (17 page)

His touch was soothing and calmed her jagged nerves. “I don’t know. But we’ll find out, eventually. The important thing is, you connected with your wolf when you needed it most.”

That knowledge disturbed her, too. She was Fae. Why couldn’t she shift back into her Fae form? Was it the Draicon influence of the Robichaux den?

It wasn’t important now. Other priorities mattered more.

“He knew how to find your family, Matt, knew you would come here because they’d gained information from the Orb.”

Skin drawn tight over harsh cheekbones, he nodded. “Go on.”

So calm and collected. But cold fury burned in his blue eyes. Sienna gathered her strength.

“Tim didn’t just give out information about you and Adam being SEALs.” Emotion clogged her throat. “When I became the demon, I got into his mind, how he operates. And I realized what happened. Tim must have given the witch all your personal information, as well.”

Muscles went rigid, his hands clenched into fists as if Matt wanted to pound someone. But his voice was calm. “How did the demon break the warding around this land?”

Sienna rubbed her hands on her jeans, trying to erase her revulsion. “He tested the shield. Found a weak spot by the bayou, the edge of the Robichaux territory. The swamp is diffuse with life and dark magick. You can sneak in using a natural element. He came into the land by setting a small fire and then dousing it when he gained access.”

Tensing, he braced his hands on the railing. He looked angry enough to race into the woods and beat the demon to a pulp.

“They want me. Targeted me in Afghanistan. Now they’re targeting me here. Threatening my family.” He turned, brushed a finger down her cheek. “And you. Not on my watch. I’d let them cut out my heart before I’d let that happen.”

“A little drastic, don’t you think?”

A wan smile, steely purpose in those eyes. “Go upstairs, pack your things.”

Anxiety churned in her stomach. Sienna lifted her chin, refusing to show her fear. “I’ll move out right away. Just point me toward a hotel. I even have my own credit card. I may be a hybrid, but hey, I’ve got a great credit score.”

He gave a gentle smile. “I’m taking you with me to the French Quarter. And you’ll be safer there. Here, you’re a moving target.”

“What about your family? Can’t they help?”

A terrible bleakness shadowed his face. “You heard Rafe. I’m on my own.”

She pressed the flat of her palm against his chest and felt his heart beat solid and steady. He was a tower of strength, and yet she sensed the vulnerability. Here, among his family, he, too, felt like a stranger.

“You’re not. I’m here.”

Matt picked up her hand, brushed a kiss on her knuckles. “I want you safe, Sienna.”

“I can take care of myself. If I run into a demon, I’ll just kick him in the groin. Or glamour myself as a fire extinguisher.”

“I’d rather you glamoured yourself into a fireproof safe. I’d teach you to use a gun, but guns don’t work with these bast…sorry, these guys.”

A faint blush reddened his sun-kissed cheeks. Matt looked like an adorable, abashed schoolboy caught smoking in the boys’ room. She found his old-fashioned courtesy charming.

On impulse, she kissed him. His mouth was warm and firm beneath hers. Matt framed her face with his large hands and deepened the kiss, his tongue plunging into her mouth. Delicious heat curled through her body, pulsing between her legs. He groaned and pulled himself away, his body rock hard, his eyes dark and gleaming.

“Whoa. Watch it, little pixie,” he murmured. “Keep that up and I’ll lock you in my bedroom instead of that fireproof safe. Nothing between us but bare skin, my mouth tasting you…all over.”

The hot throbbing increased beneath his heavy-lidded gaze. Sienna tried to control her breathing, set her desire on a back burner. “Where are we staying?”

He traced her lower lip, heat filling his gaze. “A place in the Quarter, an apartment called the Dubois Arms. We were going there today to meet a contact. We’ll crash there, fly out tomorrow. To your cabin.”

“Who are we meeting?” Sienna leaned into his touch.

Matt pressed a finger against her lips. “Secret.”

“Tell me, wolf. We’re in this together, remember?”

“Shay. Quick briefing.” Desire surged, hot and thick, as she rubbed her lips against his finger, her gaze heavy-lidded. “Don’t do that, pixie. No matter how much my family scowls at me, you’ll delay our departure by tempting me to take you upstairs.” Footsteps sounded, and he stepped back.

Cindy came into the living room, her eyes red-rimmed. She’d been crying, and it broke his heart.

“Hey, sis,” he said softly. “It’s okay. I understand. Don’t worry.”

She crossed the distance between them, glanced at Sienna with an apologetic look. “I can’t help but worry about you. You’re my brother. You’re a SEAL. And now, this thing you’re battling…”

His sister’s lovely blue eyes clouded. “I know how powerful the Astra Orb was, Matt. You’re fighting demons. I wish I could help.”

“We’ll be fine,” he assured her.

Her gaze darted to Sienna, and she offered a tremulous smile. Cindy stuck out a slim palm. “I wish we’d had more time to get to know each other. I’m glad Matt found someone, finally.”

As she shook hands, Sienna opened her mouth as if to protest, but Cindy shook her head. “I know. You’re in a state of denial now. But in time, you’ll see. And please know this, no matter what they say…” She rolled her eyes as she glanced over her shoulder. “Despite that their DNA tells them we females can’t protect ourselves, those overprotective males need to accept that you are always welcome in our home.”

Sienna flashed a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

“If you need our help, Sienna, we’re here for you.”

Gratitude swelled inside Matt. He encircled his beloved sister in his arms, gave her a tight hug. “Thanks, sis.”

Cindy kissed his cheek. “Take good care of yourself, Matt. And her.”

As she left the living room, Sienna gave a real smile. “I guess I’d better go pack. I like your sister. I like her a lot.”

He watched her run upstairs, admiring the curve of her strong legs. Scenting someone familiar behind him. Matt clamped down his temper.

“Nice of you to stick up for me.”

“Don’t start on me. Cindy already did. But I have a family to protect.”

“And Sienna’s not dangerous. You dislike her because she’s not one of us. She’s Fae and you think Fae are devious and self-absorbed.” Matt turned and faced his friend, the man who’d urged him to join the navy and undergo the rigorous BUD/S training to become a SEAL. The man he’d trusted above all others.

Who did not trust the woman he was starting to care for.

Wisdom filled Étienne’s gaze. “What about the reason you gave for loathing the Fae, Matt? Now you’ve changed your mind?”

Damn. “She’s not fully Fae. She’s half Draicon, as well. She’s…”

Different. Fascinating. Complex and funny, and tough. Matt’s heart gave a funny jump.

“I told you, she’s got you in knots.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can. But be careful, Matt,” Étienne said softly. “She’s shown us she definitely is not what she seems. That’s mighty powerful magick. She wants the Orb, too. So watch your back, because in the middle of the night, you might find a knife sticking out of it.”

Chapter 10

T
he apartment complex was in the French Quarter near Jackson Square. Iron latticework grilles adorned the picturesque balconies lining the cobblestoned street. Sienna looked up with wary resignation.

“Terrific. Iron. If the demons don’t get to me, the iron decor will.”

“Don’t touch it. Stay by my side.”

He pressed a worn brass button set on the gate below. The door opened soundlessly. Matt pushed it in. The wood steps creaked beneath their footsteps, and dust motes floated in the streaks of sunshine glinting the watery glass windows. The air was musty and she caught a faint scent of mildew. If anyone did live here, they seldom used the quarters.

On the second floor, a faded Oriental carpet lined the dimly lit hallway. Matt produced a key from his pocket, and unlocked the door that read Apartment 666.

The door opened to a small apartment, a kitchen squeezed into a former closet. A small faded blue rug covered the scuffed hardwood floor. Faded but serviceable furniture sat near a wood coffin that served as a coffee table.

“Where’s Shay? In the coffin?” she quipped.

“Not here yet. We’re early. Under the circumstances, I thought it best to leave as quickly as possible.”

Because of her and the tension she’d created. Sienna felt a sharp stab of regret. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to create friction between you and your family.”

Something flickered in his eyes she’d never seen before, as if a barrier had dropped between them. “Hey, it’s not your fault.” Matt touched her nose playfully. “I needed a good reason to escape them, anyway.”

“They’re your family. You don’t like being around them?” Gods, she’d give anything to have a tight-knit group who cared about her welfare.

“I love them, but they don’t understand the life I’ve chosen with the teams. Why I want to remain a SEAL. They’re all about pack and pack loyalty.”

“And your loyalty is to your team and duty. You’re different.” She was beginning to understand his fierce devotion and the isolation he felt.

A silent communion flared between them, as if they were bonded together in the moment. Sienna knew with complete certainty that Matt had known the deep loneliness she’d felt.

She reached out and laced her fingers with his. He looked startled a moment at the contact, then his heavy-lidded gaze met hers.

A brief knock pulled them apart. Matt glanced up, his expression puzzled.

“Shay?”

A man shuffled inside, wearing jeans and a red-and-orange Hawaiian shirt. He closed the door with a firm click and locked it.

Sienna aimed him a genuine smile. “Hi, Sam.”

“Hey.” The SEAL grinned, and jammed his hands into his pockets. “So sweet to see you again, Sienna. You’re looking mighty fine.”

He kept staring at Sienna worshipfully. And ignored Matt, who was watching him with narrowed eyes.

“Shay.”

The Mage blinked. “Oh, yeah. What’s up?”

Matt gave his teammate a long, thoughtful look. “Check the coffin lately?”

“What’s in there, a vampire?” Sienna asked.

“Better. It’s our goodie box,” Matt said.

Sam opened the heavy black lid. Inside were enough weapons to outfit a small army of vampires. Sienna’s blood went cold. She knelt down, touched the blue steel of a gun that looked powerful enough to take out an elephant.

But not a pyro demon.

“Wouldn’t happen to have a fire extinguisher in here? Because none of this will work.” Sienna sat back on her haunches, rubbing her hands on her faded jeans.

Sam laughed as he fished out a lethal-looking submachine gun. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about details. Leave it to us men.”

His patronizing tone accompanied another worshipful stare. Matt closed the coffin lid.

“We should move these out to a safer location. Did you bring the fire extinguishers?”

“Nope, but I know where I can get a water pistol.” Sam winked at her.

“Inventory all the weapons and move them back to base. I don’t want them falling into the wrong hands,” Matt ordered.

Then the SEAL blinked. It was so quick, she might have blamed her imagination. Sienna’s blood froze in her veins.

“Maybe we should leave for a bit, Matt, while Sam takes inventory. Get a bite to eat. Because I am awfully hungry.”

Sienna dug her nails into her palms, desperately hoping Matt would understand.

Running a finger along the coffin, Matt considered the cache. He glanced up at Sam and suddenly went still. Sienna took a step back at the chilled look on his face. If he looked at her like that, she’d turn and run away as fast as she could.

“Been working out lately, Shay? How much did you bench-press? What was it last time, two hundred pounds?”

Sam looked wary. “Around that. More like three hundred. I like variety, Matt.”

“I do, too. But not with my closest friends. Sienna, get back.”

Shuffling backward, she watched the two SEALs face off like sparring partners. Sam gave a small, ugly smile, ruining the handsome contours of his face. He had the fine-tuned muscle of a long-distance runner, while Matt was taller with more bulk. But none of that mattered. Not in this kind of fight. Matt unsheathed the knife at his ankle.

“What the hell are you doing, Matt?”

The SEAL’s voice became thinner, high-pitched. Matt held his ground.

“Shay stopped bench-pressing three hundred pounds last year when he got shot in the shoulder. And he never, ever calls me Matt.”

With a virulent hiss, Sam shifted. His body became taller and longer, the sandy-brown hair parted down the middle turning white-blond. Hazel eyes turned dark, cold gray.

Sienna’s breath caught. Darksider Fae.

“Fucking bastard. You’re going to die. I can make it quick and painless. But when my masters get here—” he gave an icy smile “—you’ll fry.”

The Fae pointed the weapon at Matt, pressed the trigger. Nothing happened. Cursing, he checked the gun.

“Never bring a gun to a knife fight,” Matt drawled. “Especially when it’s unloaded. We never leave loaded weapons in the apartment in case someone breaks inside.”

The Fae dropped the gun and dematerialized. Sienna ran for the door as the Fae teleported, but he caught her from behind, wrapping a sinewy arm around her throat. Desperate for air, she gasped, but the Fae dug sharp claws into her throat. She fought against panic, struggling to draw a breath as he squeezed.

“Where is it? Tell me where the Orb is and perhaps I’ll let you live.”

“Orb?” She choked out. “I’m more the crystal-ball type.”

“Bitch. Ever feel the insides of your organs cook slowly? My master will make them boil. I’ll make you scream and beg to die.”

“I’m begging you now,” she wheezed. “Shut up. Your breath smells real bad.”

The Fae raised its hand. “Your eyes go first.”

He released a loud shriek. Blood splattered as Matt sank the knife deep into its back. Sienna twisted hard, shoved her elbow into its soft, concave stomach and broke free.