Unbound (21 page)

“Hey boss?”

“What is it Karn?”

“Is there a way for Jubi to get here? I mean without being shifted in with us?”

“I can go get him if need be, why?”

“I just thought it would be nice if we had someone to look out for Kayla when we go tomorrow. I was just thinking, um that is, I was thinking that we should ask a few Sprites along as lookouts and whatnot.” Karn looked at his nails, his posture submissive, as if he weren’t used to speaking out.

Kayla studied him for a moment and sat up straighter. “You know Karn, it’s ok to tell us how you feel. It’s not like we’re going to jump all over you for expressing an opinion. I don’t know where you were in the pack, but I’m glad you’re with us now. I don’t trust the others. They haven’t made an effort to get to know us.”

“I would have been higher up in the pack, but I didn’t like how our leaders dealt with issues. They often ended with one of us dead.”

“That sounds rough.” Gannon leaned forward and slapped Karn on the arm. “Glad you’re on our side. I think your suggestion’s a good idea. Stay here a moment. I'll be right back.”

Kayla shook her head at his departing back. The air around him shimmered and seemed to twist, it was weird watching him shift the T’ween and not being a part of it. She looked at Karn and grinned, leaning back in her chair. “So, tell me about yourself.”

“Well I don’t know that there’s much to tell.” Karn grinned back.

* * *

Gannon stepped out of his cottage and hollered for Jubi.

''I sure as hell wish you wouldn't do that, Gannon!” Jubi shook his head as he flew into sight.

A blue light trailed behind him. Gannon didn’t think Jubi knew the girl followed. This might prove interesting.

“Jubi, it’s not like I can force you to show up when I call,” he ground out.

“Sorry, I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”

Gannon grinned as the blue light blinked out.
Some
girl had finally caught Jubi’s eye.
“I just wanted to know if you’d come be a lookout for Kayla. We’re going to work out our plan now, and I thought if everything was under control here, you might be willing to help?”

“Well, if you’re coming, hurry up.” Gannon waved in the Sprite girl’s direction. Jubi would be pissed, but at the moment he didn’t care. The girl deserved to know what she was getting herself into by hooking up with Jubi, especially since Gannon often asked him to help out with things. He walked back into the cottage.

“What gives Gan?”

“Nothing I just want to get back is all. You know what Kayla’s like. If I leave her alone for more than a moment she gets herself into trouble.”

“Ya, I hear ya there, and after what she’s been through the last few nights, I would have someone keep track of her, or at least sleep in the same room. We’ve gotten the link under control, but if she comes in contact with him again, the old bond might reform.”

“It’s already covered, Jubi.” The second he saw the girl come in, he shifted the three of them back to the apartment.

* * *

Kayla jerked away from Karn. “Does the time flow differently here as well, Gan?”

“I’m not sure. I always thought it was the same, why?”

“Because, you just said you might be a while, but then you were back in seconds.” Kayla studied him. When she saw Jubi, her heart settled back down. It must be the right Gannon. She looked at Karn. He nodded, reading her mind.

“He has Gannon’s scent.” Karn spoke aloud so everyone was clear. She watched the blood drain from Gannon’s face when he realized what she’d feared. In less than two strides he was at her side. He pulled her up into his arms, giving her a fierce kiss. “We settle this now,” His eyes a storm cloud of expression, he took her breath away.

“Um, well if you’re through with the fireworks, Gan, can we get down to business? There’s somewhere I want to be tonight.” Jubi fluttered over to Kayla and perched on her shoulder.

“Well let’s get to it then Kayla what are the bones of your plan, for those of us who weren’t there to hear it?” Gannon asked.

“I think Gannon should contact his people about me. If they bite, they’ll send someone to take me from him. We’ll need your wolves to scout where they keep their prisoners.” She looked at her hands, swallowing hard. “I’d like to send Roo with you. I don’t want him captured when Gannon hands me over. He would attack them, given a chance, and I don’t want him to end up dead. I believe Covington will be the one who shows up. I don’t think he’ll let an opportunity to gloat at Gannon pass by.” She looked over at Gannon. Kayla thought that he might choose to add something, and he didn’t disappoint her.

“I want you all to understand that I dedicated my life to this. I don’t want to believe without definite proof that they are
all
doing this. Granted, Covington has come across some form of magic that allows him to control others, and maybe that is why people aren’t acting like they have their whole lives. My daughter is being controlled. I want to know who is behind it all and stop them, damn it, before others get hurt.” He slapped his hand against the table.

Her heart ached for him. She’d been at the lowest point in her life when Keaton had dug his claws into her; forcing her to do things for him she’d known were wrong. She hadn’t been able to help herself, but she’d damn sure help Gannon free his people.

“I hate to break up the party, but I really need to get back, Gan. I have something urgent I need to attend to.”

“Don’t worry, Jubi. I’m sure whatever it is can wait.”

“You know
Gannon
!” Jubi shouted, his light a brilliant red. He flew off Kayla’s shoulder, hovering an inch before Gannon’s nose.

“You want to tell him or should I?” Gannon laughed.

“What the hell are you laughing at, Gannon?”

“Oh that would be because of me, Jubi dear.”

“What! Why? How?” Jubi’s color turned a sickly green.

Gannon reached out and caught the stunned Sprite as he dropped like a stone, too distraught by the sudden turn of events to remember to fly.

“Well, she’s here because I wanted to see how good she was at staying hidden, even from another Sprite, and give her a glimpse of what your life is like.”

“Oh, is that why? I had wondered.” A female Sprite doubled over in giggles.

“Pretty much. That, and I think we could use the help.”

“Whatever I can do to help.” She looked straight at Jubi.

“Absolutely not. You can’t go. I forbid it.” Fury twitched Jubi’s wings.

“And just who do you think you are that you can command me, Jubi? I’m going whether you like it or not.”

Kayla watched the play between the Sprites. Even if the girl hadn’t planned on going, she would now just because he’d told her she couldn’t...

“She’s right, Jubi. You can’t stop her from it, especially since I asked her. And you must admit she’s pretty damn good, given the fact that
you
didn’t even know she was there until I said something.”

“I need to think about it. I’m just going to sit and eat and think.” Jubi fluttered off.

* * *

Gannon had made him a place of his own for when he stayed here. He stretched out on his bed, folded his hands behind his head, and stared up into the flowers overhead. He’d wanted to keep her separate from this dangerous life.

Gannon had always dealt with the chiefs of their clan, to help when needed. They were trying to restore the balance. There was a very real possibility that they mightn’t come back from this mission. He’d just found his love for her. It was a new and fragile thing. He’d been so happy before Gannon had called this evening.

Sure, there had been clan business to attend to, what with Kayla saving one of them from death with the magic they opened within her. But he was supposed to be on a date, flying down near the pond, feasting on lily-pad flowers.

A moment away from the world of man. He felt increasingly more, of late, like he wanted to separate himself from their cares and problems. However, he was obligated. He cared for Gannon. They’d been through a lot, and he had to admit Seri was the best he’d ever seen at hiding. He finally understood how she was able to know all the things she’d seen in the last few days.

That crazy girl had been in the middle of everything, just hidden. He’d have to ask her how she turned off her light. Jubi looked around, startled out of his musings by a light hand on his shoulder.

“Can I join you?”

“Ya, I was thinking of you and the mess we’re in. I don’t want you to go.” He held up a hand when she would have interrupted him. “Before you say anything, I’m not saying you can’t go. Not that I could stop you. How do you shut off your lights?”

"Um, well I'm not quite sure I can teach you Jubi, but I will try." Seri let her light grow dimmer until it was out. Jubi watched in amazement. He reached out, almost touching the tip of her wing.

"That's all I'm asking. It would seem that you've kept yourself from a few scrapes by shutting off you're lights. You're almost invisible.

She flushed, her wings a brilliant red. “I’m no coward, Jubi!"

"I never said you were, Seri.”

"Oh. I thought you were disappointed." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

“Why don’t we get out of here? What do you say we go down by the pond like we planned? Would you like that, Seri?” He cupped her face and turned it to look at him.

“Yes. I think I would like that. Do you think Gannon will let us?”

“Sure he will. Gannon trusts us and I bet some of the others will be going back to the other part of the T’ween tonight as well.”

“If you say so, Jubi, but I don’t know. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what he says. You ready to go now?”

“Not quite yet.” He leaned forward and kissed her. He felt her start to relax in his arms. She was his. He broke off the kiss and smiled, gazing on her for a moment. “Now I’m ready.”

“Oh you.” She smacked him on the arm. Giggling, she flew off to where the others were still seated around the table.

“I think I should go back and talk with the pack. I’ll need to tell them what we’ve discussed and figure out who will be the best choices to go with us,” Karn said.

“All right, but I want to be able to communicate with you somehow. Let me think for a moment.” Gannon got up and went to one to the drawers in the kitchen. He riffled through it and brought back a handful of wooden discs on strings. “I was wondering when I’d get a chance to try these out. I don’t know what kind of interference there’ll be. Here you go Karn. And I think to be safe, we should all have one for tomorrow. Jubi!”

“What? You don’t need to shout so. I’m flying right here.” He cringed when Gannon shouted for him. He couldn’t resist that shout no matter what he was doing. “Oh, and if you want me to wear one of those dumb things you’re going to promise you won’t use it on me tonight.”

“I’ll take you all back, and I’ll abide by your wishes, Jubi, and not contact you tonight as long as you’re ready to go by first light tomorrow. That goes for all of you. Now let me show you how these dang things work,” he said, handing out the discs. “I want you all to form a circle. I want you to think of a word and hold that word in your mind. When you all have it I want you to nod.” They did as he said. The circle was formed as the last of them joined. “Now, do you all have your words?” They nodded.