Therian Prize: 5 (Therian Heat) (26 page)

“That was about Natasha. Wasn’t it?” Heather drew his gaze back to her face. Her pained expression reflected his sorrow.

“She didn’t make it.”

Heather leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her warm body against his chest. “I’m sorry.” She said nothing more, just held him and showered his being with support and compassion.

He stared into the distance as anger and helplessness took turns pummeling him. Gradually the silence became oppressive, so he said, “Natasha didn’t deserve this. She was one of the most selfless people I’ve ever met.”

“Were you more than her employer?” Her tone was casual but a dart of jealousy flashed across their link, a hot little ember quickly extinguished.

He shook his head, secretly pleased by her reaction. If she felt nothing more for him than lust, she wouldn’t be jealous. Her growing affection for him was a tiny ray of light piercing the darkness. “We were friends, but she was really close with Enya. Enya is devastated.”

“Were they…lovers?”

“No.” He eased her back so he could see her face. “There was nothing sexual between any of us. They’d both survived violent abuse and it drew them together. After Natasha left her husband, she lived with Enya for a couple of years. Enya talked me into giving Natasha a job and Natasha ended up being much better at it than any of us imagined. Nothing lurid, just friends helping friends.”

Heather rested her hands on his shoulders, looking miserable. “I feel horrible about this. If I hadn’t run none of this would have happened.”

He shook his head. “It’s not your fault. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. If what I suspect is true, the attack had nothing to do with you.”

“What do you suspect?” She watched him carefully, her emotions closely guarded once again.

“Grace was able to pull an image of Natasha’s attacker out of her mind. The description fits a woman named Zophiel. We thought Ian had taken care of her, but now I’m not so sure.”

Her knees tensed against his thighs. “What did Zophiel do to deserve being ‘taken care of’ by Ian?”

“It’s a long story and I only know bits and pieces. I’ll tell Ian that Zophiel might still be alive and you can ask him your questions at dinner.”

* * * * *

Heather and Jake met Devon at the sanctuary an hour before dinner. Jake crouched before Serra’s cage and tried to draw her attention. The tigress raised her head, golden eyes wide and alert.

“Hi, Serra. I’m sorry I had to leave before. We had an appointment that couldn’t be broken.”

The tigress shifted her head and looked at Heather, who stood half a step back from Jake. Serra’s gaze narrowed and she lowered her chin to her front paws.

How are you feeling? Is there anything we can get for you?
Jake used the common link, so Heather heard the questions too.

Serra’s only response was to close her eyes.

Serra. I’d really like to speak with you.

She growled just loud enough to be heard.

Jake pulled the unlocked bars aside and stepped into the cage. Serra curled into a tighter ball, facing the corner.

“Let her be,” Devon advised. “It’s obvious she wants to be left alone.”

Jake nodded but tried one last time. “No one will harm you here. You’re safe, but we suspect there are others where you came from. I hope you’ll tell us what you know so we can help them as well as you.”

Serra didn’t react to his words so he exited but left the bars unlocked.

Devon led them around the circular room and pulled open a nondescript door. “It might take some time to earn her trust. Don’t give up.” The open door revealed a metal staircase leading underground.

“Where are we going?” Heather eyed the staircase suspiciously. Did she really want to know what these cats had stashed down there? She pictured metal bunkers and storerooms filled with guns, ammunition and nonperishable food. Didn’t they know that the end of the world had come and gone and Earth was still spinning?

Devon grinned. “There’s more to the sanctuary than meets the eye.”

Heather looked at Jake but he was looking at Devon. “Isn’t your apartment above the visitor center?”

“It is and it’s tiny. We were going to have dinner with Mom, but she got called away at the last minute. Ian’s waiting for us over at her place.”

He turned to Heather and smiled. “It’s all right. You’re about to see something few wolves have ever seen.”

“I think Landon is the
only
other wolf who’s been below,” Devon said dramatically.

With her heart thudding madly and her stomach clenched, Heather followed Devon down the stairs. Jake fell in step behind them but left the narrative to Devon. The air grew cool and the surroundings dimmed as they reached a small tiled landing. With rustic support beams and external utilities, the passageway looked much like a mining tunnel.

“Eli’s headquarters is through that door,” Devon pointed out, but she didn’t stop.

“Who is Eli?”

“Head of security for the rebels and master of all things electronic, but he’s already left for the day.”

“Then who’s monitoring the cameras?” Jake asked.

Cameras? As in surveillance? Heather kept the question to herself. Obviously he hadn’t meant television.

“I think Bill’s on duty tonight. Why?”

“Just curious.”

“Where does this tunnel lead?” If she just followed along she’d find out but that wasn’t Heather’s nature. Her curious mind demanded explanations.

“To rebel houses or storage facilities. We own most of the land surrounding the sanctuary. This allows us to come and go without notice.”

There was only one house in close proximity to the sanctuary. “The tunnels must extend for miles.”

“The first tunnel was dug by hand about ninety years ago. We’ve been expanding ever since.”

“Your rebellion has been in existence for ninety years?”

With a chuckle Devon shook her head. “Of course not. The tunnels have been used for everything from hiding liquor during Prohibition, to safeguarding network valuables, to acting as a bomb shelter during various wars. The most recent use has been to assist with rebel activities.”

Heather should be flattered that Devon trusted her enough to show her the underground infrastructure. Instead it made her sad. It was obvious the rebels no longer considered her a threat. She’d been conditioned to think of cats as enemies. It felt strange to be taken into their confidence.

The tunnel branched off several times before they reached the ladder leading up to Erin’s basement. “This is where I grew up, so it feels as much like home as my apartment.” Devon smiled and started climbing.

Jake touched her arm, his expression revealing his concern. “What’s wrong? You look sort of pale.”

She nodded. “Each step I take with you guys leads me further away from everything I’ve known. It just feels strange.”

He didn’t patronize her with a superficial reply. He just gave her arm a gentle squeeze.

The basement was small but orderly. They walked across a well-lit washroom, through the unfinished portion of the basement and up a set of wooden stairs. A door at the top of the stairs opened between a kitchen and a casual dining room.

Ian Douglas stood in the kitchen, filling a coffee mug. The towering blond seemed even larger in the compact space. He watched the visitors emerge from the stairwell, his gaze nearly glowing as he looked at his mate. “I was just about to sneak a piece of chicken. I’ve been tortured by the smell of Erin’s cooking for over an hour.”

Heather’s stomach growled at the appealing smells, so she understood Ian’s complaint. He acknowledged her with a raise of his chin then went right back to teasing his mate.

“Why doesn’t your food taste like your mother’s? She’s one of the best cooks I know.”

Devon glared at him then laughed. “That’s the problem. Every time I cook everyone complains about it, so I just stopped trying.”

“Everything’s ready and Erin sends her regrets. Her errand was unavoidable.”

“Go ahead and sit down.” Devon motioned them toward the table then helped Ian gather the food.

Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and steamed vegetables. Heather’s stomach gave another hungry growl.

“I heard that.” Jake chuckled. “Guess I need to feed you more often.”

“I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I walked into this kitchen. Ian’s right, that food smells good.”

Ian and Devon joined them at the table and they all filled their plates before the conversation began in earnest.

“It’s obvious you two are
together
now, but have you decided to let Jake define you?” Devon asked Heather.

She’d originally decided to have sex with Jake as a way to sabotage her father’s plans, but the bond between them was rapidly growing into something much more intimate than casual sex. Still, it felt odd explaining her feelings to Devon when she hadn’t really talked things over with Jake.

“It’s complicated.” She wasn’t sure what else to say.

Devon accepted the vague answer and moved on. “How’d things go with Dr. Garran?”

“He confirmed that I’m not defined and that my father injected me with some form of the formula six years ago.”

“Really?” Ian spoke in between bites of chicken. “If the formula caused no side effects in the past six years then—”

“What happened to Carlos was a pretty significant side effect.” The tragedy had left an indelible stain on her soul.

Ian set down the drumstick and nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry. A lost life should never be disregarded.”

“Dr. Garran is running all sorts of tests to make sure there isn’t anything wrong with me. If there haven’t been any symptoms in six years, it’s unlikely he’ll find anything. Still, we want to be sure.”

“Then you’re still considering joining me in this adventure?” Devon smiled, obviously trying to lighten the mood.

“I’m considering it. In fact, I’m
seriously
considering it.”

Jake reached over and squeezed her hand. “Regardless of how we feel about it, the choice is yours.”

“I know.”

They ate for a few minutes in reflective silence then Ian asked, “Did the tiger—what’s her name—tell you any more about where she came from?”

“Her name is Serra and unfortunately she shut down on me.” Jake was obviously frustrated by the fact. He looked at Heather and shrugged. “I don’t know what changed.”

“Your scent,” Ian suggested. “She probably sensed the connection between you two and didn’t want to piss off your mate.”

“Our link feels like a mating bond?” Heather hadn’t meant to sound so hopeful but the ability to fool her father would solve so many problems.

“Newly formed links tend to feel similar. I don’t think you’re in sync yet but you’re definitely close.”

Heather’s heart lost its rhythm for a moment. She and Jake were in sync? It had been little over a day since he formed the connection. Could it really happen that quickly?

Disappointed?
Jake used their private link to push the words into her mind.

No. Just surprised. I didn’t expect it to happen this fast.

But it’s what you want. Isn’t it?

Yes.

Then why do you look so sad?

I’m not sad, just confused. Let’s talk about this later.

Rather than reply, he sent a warm stream of affection curling through her mind. It made her tingle and smile but she wasn’t allowed to enjoy the sensation for long.

“I have some sad news,” Jake said.

“We heard about Natasha,” Devon told him. “We figured if you didn’t bring it up, you didn’t want to talk about it.”

“Talking about it won’t change the outcome, but I can’t pretend she’s not dead.”

Devon nodded, her expression cautious. “That’s where mom went, to help Enya with the arrangements. Natasha doesn’t have any family.”

“She had us.” Jake took a quick sip of water as his eyes filled with tears. “Until I got her killed.”

“This wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault.” Even as the words left Devon’s mouth her gaze shot to Heather.

“Heather had nothing to do with it,” Jake snapped. “I think Zophiel is still alive.”

“That’s not possible,” Ian insisted, instantly tense and defiant.

“You thought she was dead once before.” Jake set down the water glass and pushed his plate aside, though he’d barely touched his food. “What if she can’t be killed?”

“Everyone can be killed.”

Jake waved away the comment as he asked, “What is she? And why does she hate Therians? I know she’s been around for hundreds of years just like you and Payne, but what’s her story?”

Payne was a lion-shifter recently arrived in Colorado. He and Ian had been best friends for centuries. Heather had caught bits and pieces of his story but she’d never had reason enough to ask her father to fill in the blanks.

“She’s dead.” Ian ground out the words between clenched teeth. “She has to be dead.”