The Guardian (16 page)

Takala said, “You should have assumed he'd bring Aden. Akando's really close to him. He told me himself he needs to get out more.”

Fala had forgotten they were talking about Akando. She wasn't about to argue with Takala for defending Akando. She'd do that till her last dying breath, so Fala said, “I'm glad he brought Aden.”

Meikoda counted the plates on the table and said, “I need one more setting.”

Fala opened the cabinet and took out another plate.

The phone rang and Takala jumped to get it. “I've got it.”

Takala's eyes narrowed after a moment, then she said, “Okay, pervert, you need to practice the heavy
breathing. It's a little weak-sounding.” She slammed the phone down.

Fala and Meikoda looked to her for an answer.

“Wrong number.” Takala went back to setting the table.

Meikoda motioned to Takala. “She thinks I don't know about Taylor's men threatening her.”

Takala didn't look surprised that her grandmother knew the details. They had never been able to keep a secret around her, not with her shamanic powers. “Nothing I can't deal with.”

“Arrogance will be your downfall, Takala,” Meikoda said. “I can help you if you like.”

“My problem, my solution, but thank you.” Takala rolled up a napkin, crushing it, then shoved it under a knife and spoon.

Meikoda was wise enough to know that arguing with Takala was futile, so she began to fill glasses with ice.

Fala decided to talk to Takala later and convince her to call in the police. These thugs obviously knew where she lived now. Enough was enough. And if her sister was too stubborn to listen, then Fala would alert the authorities herself.

She heard Nina's laughter melding with the gurgle-chuckle of a young girl and the high-pitched squeal of a boy. Fala handed the plate to Meikoda and poked her head into the living room.

She searched out Stephen first and saw him sitting next to Akando on the couch. Both men looked as if they'd have more fun at their own funerals. They both wore scowls, leaned over the opposite sofa arms so as much space as possible separated them. They glared at
each other, their only communication. She had never had two men fighting for her affections. And at any other time she might have enjoyed it. But she already knew who was going to win, and that stole the pleasure from it.

Aden, she saw, occupied a chair near the television. He wore jeans and a wool green shirt with a bolo tie at the neck. His long, earth-brown hair hung down around his shoulders, and he was every bit as handsome as Akando. And unlike his overconfident brother, he always had a pleasing smile. But the tragedy he had suffered showed in the sunglasses that covered his blind eyes, in the wrinkles that tugged at his brow and the corners of his mouth and made his face look gaunt. He'd lost his wife in a car accident, along with his sight.

Nina sat cross-legged on the floor playing peek-a-boo with the girl, Mayhala, and the boy, Chogan. Nina peered up at Aden above the crocheted throw in her hands, her capacity to feel for his loss written in her face. Sometimes Fala thought Nina cared too much for others and not enough for herself. Chogan charged Nina, and she and the boy fell over laughing.

Nina wasn't watching Mayhala, and the girl toddled over to Stephen. She wasn't at all put off by his foreboding looks. She grabbed his pant leg to steady herself and patted his knee, singing, “La, la, la, la.”

Aden translated; “That means ‘lap.'”

The toddler's touch thawed the ice in Stephen's eyes and his whole expression softened. “Does it now? Well, hello, little lady.” He pulled the child up on his knees and began to bounce her up and down. His wide hands nearly covered her whole torso. She looked dwarfed by
his sheer size, vulnerable, and absolutely taken by him. “How's that? Fun?” he asked. She giggled.

And a miracle happened. A smile slowly broke from Stephen's tight lips. It slowly transformed his face. The silver eyes softened to pewter and the gold flecks sparkled. The scar on his face all but disappeared. His hair fell down on the sides of his temples and a three o'clock shadow darkened his square chin. The sight of him took her breath away. He was more than handsome. No man had a right to look that good. Desire rippled through her. She found herself dreaming about him holding their baby….

No. No. No. You can't have him. Look away. Don't make it more painful than it already is.

And she met Akando's dark, jealous leer. He'd seen her openly gaping at Stephen, and his jealousy turned dragonlike in his eyes. He leapt up and growled at Fala, “When are we eating?”

“Anytime.”

“Fine.” He bent and pulled Mayhala from Stephen's grasp.

She yawped and kicked and shed tears.

Stephen jumped up, his teeth bared in pain as he tensed for battle. His face drained of color from the effort it took him to look like a badass in front of Akando. Men. What was it about marking their territory? Fala knew this confrontation had little to do with Mayhala. And she might have thrown the bowl of runny mashed potatoes on them if it was handy.

But she didn't move, because seeing them facing each other, she couldn't help but compare them. Stephen still
wore the pink T-shirt that clearly defined his broad, muscular chest. He had borrowed one of Takala's oversize green flannel shirts, and his corded arms and back strained against the tight material. The sleeves barely hit the middle of his forearms. Veins throbbed beneath the spattering of crisp, black hair covering the back of his lower arms, wrists and wide hands. His lips had all but disappeared in the harsh angles of his profile. The pink T-shirt and undersize flannel overshirt should have made him look absurd, but somehow only enhanced his masculinity. She vividly recalled how the muscles in Stephen's naked back had rippled beneath her fingers, the latent power she'd felt there. No, he could be wearing a pink boa and he'd still look all fearsome male. He had longer arms and a broader chest and about thirty pounds on Akando, too. And she'd seen how ruthless Stephen could be when it came to killing demons. Akando just couldn't measure up to Stephen in so many ways. If she were a betting person, she'd put her money on Stephen, wounded or not, pink T-shirt or not.

The tension between the two men stretched so thin it fairly vibrated with testosterone. Any second they'd be at each other's throats. The male answer for everything.

F
ala took a step toward them before they came to blows. At the same moment Akando shifted Mayhala up onto his shoulder.

Stephen seemed to realize Mayhala could be harmed and he backed off.

Fala let out the air that had frozen her lungs.

“I'll take my niece into dinner,” Akando spoke over Mayhala's screaming. “What are you even doing here? You look well enough to leave to me.”

“Get used to me, because I'm here until Fala gets her powers and is safe.”

“We don't need an outsider protecting Fala.”

“I'll protect myself.” Fala glared at both of them.

Aden stood. Since his accident he had developed an uncanny ability to feel the energy radiating from objects around him; consequently he never used a cane. Fala
wondered if he felt the hatred between Akando and Stephen as strongly as she felt it.

In two steps Aden was at Akando's side, taking his daughter. “Let me have her.” He didn't sound at all pleased with Akando at the moment.

The child quieted in her father's arms, but still she reached for Stephen. Her black eyes seemed drawn to his silver ones.

And this made Stephen grin smugly at Akando.

Nina grabbed Chogan's hand and said, “Let's eat, hey? I'm starved.”

Chogan nodded his approval.

Fala met Stephen's eyes and she saw the grin hadn't left his face. And for a moment he was grinning at her. Fala wanted so much to step into his arms and taste the grin on his lips. But then it faded as Akando took her arm. “After you, wife.”

“We're not married yet.”

“It's as good as done, if you don't pull a
Runaway Bride
trick on me again.”

“Smart woman,” Stephen mumbled under his breath.

Fala bit her lip to keep from laughing.

Akando glared at Stephen over his shoulder. “What did you just say?”

“I said good movie,
Runaway Bride.
Have to admire the woman for her convictions.” His accent became prevalent and the last sentence sounded like, “Havah to admirah the woman fah hah convictions.”

“No one asked for your comment.”

“But I'm giving it anyway.”

Fala grabbed Akando's chin and forced his attention back on her. “Don't mind him. He's full of opinions.”

“He needs to keep them to himself.”

“He will.”

A derisive snort sounded behind them.

Akando started to turn again. “Did I hear—”

Fala loudly cleared her throat. “Just me. There's a frog in my throat.” More like a warlock on her back.

Akando seemed mollified.

She was glad when they reached the kitchen. She tried to ignore Stephen's gaze boring into her neck but couldn't. She suddenly lost her appetite.

 

Stephen sat at the kitchen table, forcing down the watery potatoes. They drooled down his throat in a long, soupy stream. By far, the worst thing he'd ever eaten—well, maybe not. The cardboard versions in the TV dinners at Fala's apartment might be the worst, though the foreplay before it was tasty enough.

He had to admit the roast was excellent and the peas weren't bad. The old Guardian could cook, even if her granddaughter couldn't. In fact, the potatoes might have tasted better if Akando wasn't sitting across from him.

The round drop-leaf table created a circle of equality and gave no one the distinction of “head of the table,” but the way Fala fawned over Akando's every need, you'd think he was already her husband. Fala made a big production of filling up his plate before he asked for seconds, making sure his glass stayed filled with the old Guardian's blueberry wine. Fala had said they only brought out the homemade wine on special occasions. Stephen was certain he wasn't considered a special occasion. In fact, the more Fala ignored him the more
he wanted to reach across the table and strangle Akando. This jealousy made no sense. Their marriage would never take place. Still, Stephen found it almost impossible to watch Akando touching her and flirting with her. And he could feel the old lady's eyes on him, definitely enjoying every moment of his discomfort.

Aden swallowed a bite of beef, then handed a piece to Mayhala, who sat in his lap. She chewed the meat and cut her dark eyes at Stephen.

Those attentive, trusting, searching eyes in such a cute little face made him realize how much he'd missed kids since he and his brothers had been banned from the coven. He had blocked all of it from his mind—until tonight. And somehow looking into the child's face soothed the old bitterness and he couldn't help the grin that tugged at his lips whenever he looked at her. Mayhala would break some guy's heart when she grew up. Stephen's gaze automatically shifted to Fala. How many hearts had she broken?

Meikoda's voice sliced through the silence as she asked Fala, “When will you give your two weeks' notice? I'm sure your captain will want to know as soon as possible, so he can get a replacement.”

Fala's lovely face looked drawn as if a part of her was being siphoned away. “I hadn't thought about it.”

“You should,” Akando said. “You won't be going back to work.”

That earned him a caustic glance from Fala.

He missed it entirely.

Stephen almost grinned.

Nina must have sensed the sudden edginess in Fala and jumped in with, “Fala, is someone watching Fuzz?”

Fala nodded. “I called Mrs. James, my neighbor. She has a key. She said she'd watch him until I came to get him.”

“I can move you out tomorrow,” Akando said. “I'll get my brothers to help. We'll have you out in a jiff.”

“Where will you put her furniture?” Takala asked, eating nonstop. She'd already gone back for seconds, and a third helping of potatoes.

Akando wasn't far behind her and cleaned out the salad bowl.

“We'll find a place for it.” Fala stared down at her plate, her Adam's apple working as if she couldn't swallow. There were moments like this one, when Fala wasn't pretending to enjoy her situation and her true feelings surfaced. It gave him hope that he could still lure her away from Akando long enough to reach his goal.

Look at me.

As if Fala responded to the suggestion, she lifted her thick lashes and met his gaze. Their eyes held. He might actually be through the charm. He centered on her thoughts and hit a dead zone. So why had she responded?

Meikoda said, “Make sure you fix up a nursery, too, Fala. Surely, there will be little ones along the way soon enough.” She winked at Akando.

He preened, stuck out his chest, and slapped an arm around Fala, pulling her to his chest. “That's right. I want plenty of daughters, all beautiful shifters like their mother.”

Stephen tensed, his eyes on Akando's hand almost touching Fala's right breast. He forced himself to relax
and noticed Takala looking at the same thing. She could barely hide the jealous gleam in her multicolored eyes. Could Stephen use Takala's fancy for Akando to his advantage somehow?

“You do?” Fala arched a dark brow at Akando. “We only need to have a girl to carry on as Guardian.”

“I want at least four and maybe a son.”

“What if I don't want so many kids?”

Akando physically flinched at the flash of blue in Fala's eyes and said, “We'll talk about it later.”

“No. We'll discuss it
now.
” She waved an angry hand around the table. “We're surrounded by family. They can hear this.”

“
He's
not family,” Akando snarled, gesturing at Stephen.

“He doesn't care what we say.”

Stephen added, “That's right. Never mind me.”

Akando jabbed a finger at Stephen. “Stay out of this!”

“Leave him alone. This is between you and me, Akando.”

Stephen grinned. One for him.
Go, Fala, go.

“Fala, you've always known how I felt about kids.”

“What about
my
feelings?” She jabbed a finger at her chest. “I do have some say in my own life.”

“Of course you do.”

“Oh, stop patronizing me. That's the trouble with you. You're arrogant and insensitive. Like every other man.”

“Fala, love.” Akando reached for her.

Fala moved so fast all he touched was a mist of energy
from her body still hovering in the air. She was already stalking out of the kitchen.

Akando leaped up. “Fala, wait!”

Takala grabbed Akando's arm and said, “Leave it. She'll cool down.”

Stephen smiled inwardly. He didn't want Fala cool at all. He wanted her afraid, confused and vulnerable.

Akando glowered at Takala. “Don't tell me what to do.”

“She's my sister.” Takala snatched her hand back as if he'd burned it. “I think I know her better than you.”

“And my mate.”

“And you're an idiot for thinking just because she's your mate that you can bend her to your will. You're as dense as wood, Akando. No wonder she doesn't want you.”

“And you're a loudmouthed witch.”

Takala faced him, arms stiff at her sides, the lioness in her snarling. “Swine!”

“Shrew!”

“I hate you!”

“Good!”

Takala glowered at him for a heated moment, then her bottom lip began to tremble, and she blinked back tears. She whipped around and stomped out the door, slamming it.

Akando stared after her and shrugged, at a loss. He looked at Nina for an answer. “Why's she so touchy? What did I do?”

Nina just shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I'll go after her.”

Stephen almost felt sorry for Akando. Takala hadn't
been far off the mark about him being dense. But Stephen could have thought of a better analogy, like bricks. He didn't know when he started enjoying this soap opera unfolding before him, but it was better than any
Jerry Springer
episode he'd watched with Brice and Leland.

Thinking of his brothers brought his mind back to Fala. He had to find a way to get her alone, taste her lips, and reassure himself that it was him she wanted and not Akando.

Suddenly the door burst open and Nina ran inside, frantic. “I can't find Takala. Her car is still parked outside. And I saw a car spin out onto the main road.” She looked at Meikoda. “Does Tumseneha have her?”

The worry lines on the old Guardian's brow furrowed. She raised her knotted fingers and sifted the air for Tumseneha's supernatural aura. “I don't feel him, but I hear Takala's heartbeat moving away from us and two others. It must be those men who are after her.”

“If we hurry, we might be able to catch up to the car you saw,” Akando said.

“I'll go with you,” Aden said. “Nina, can you watch the children?”

“We'll both watch them,” Meikoda said.

Stephen didn't know when it had happened, but he actually feared for Takala's safety. He'd somehow begun to care for Fala's sisters. Even the old Guardian wasn't so bad. He might have even grown to like her if circumstances had been different. He frowned. He had never wanted to become involved in Fala's life, but he was, and he felt the weight of it like quicksand pulling him down. How could he not feel for them? They were so much a part of Fala's life. He heard the old Guardian's
voice again as she had read his tea leaves.
The course of your fate has yet to be written in the Book of Life. You can determine your own future.
Could he? And what kind of torment would the wrong decision bring?