Blood Diamond (23 page)

“What about him?” When my brother pointed at me, I lifted my hands.

Richard snorted. “Take one good look at who we’re talking about here. He was likely committed the instant he decided to defy the Inquisition to save his little wolf. You saw what she was willing to do for him. If you have any doubt, maybe I need to beat some more sense into you.”

“I’d like to remind you all that I’m right here,” I complained. Arguing with the Fenerec wasn’t an option, not when he was right. Whether or not I had meant to create a permanent bond between us, I had decided to help her, and I didn’t back out of such a commitment lightly. I had liked her from the very beginning.

Evelyn was easy to love.

“You were carrying Evelyn’s scent from the start,” Richard informed me. 

“But doesn’t that mean Vicky had no reason to worry?” My twin scowled at Richard, looking away when the Fenerec went to meet his gaze.

Getting up from his spot on the couch, Zachary grabbed my coffee mug and headed towards the kitchenette. “I think I need more coffee for this.”

“You’re twins, Elliot. Even I’m hard-pressed to distinguish your scents. It takes effort, and I have to concentrate to tell you two apart. On a casual sniff? She probably confused your scents. That’d give any Fenerec reason for concern.”

“Evelyn looked ready for a fight,” I said, thinking about the incident at the dinner table. My mood hadn’t been much better, I remembered with a grimace.

“You’re hers to defend,” Richard said, grinning at me. “Just ask Nicole when you see her, if you don’t believe me. Ladies guard what is theirs, and if you’re wise, you won’t get in their way while they’re doing it.”

“So, let me get this straight.” Pointing at my brother, I leaned forward, smiling. “My little brother, who has been fawning over Vicky, is now her mate as a result?”

Our family was going to have collective seizure when they found out, and I looked forward to beating sense into all of them if they even thought of trying to interfere with my twin’s new relationship. I couldn’t help myself. Letting my smile widen to a grin, I said, “Copycat.”

“You’re too relaxed about this,” my twin grumbled.

“Have you looked at them? They’re gorgeous, both of them. Of course, Evelyn’s prettier, but you didn’t do bad yourself.”

“You’re a pig,” Zachary said, bearing two cups of coffee. He handed me one, shaking his head as he chuckled.

I feigned innocence. “Me?”

“He’s a terrible, horrible, and unforgivable pig, holding doors open for ladies, displaying proper protective instincts, and caring for those he views as his. Absolutely unforgivable.” Evelyn emerged from the bathroom dressed in a spaghetti-strap shirt and a pair of tight jeans. She toweled at her hair. “However, Vicky is prettier.”

“Absolutely not,” I blurted.

When she laughed, I flushed.

“Well, it’s true enough that this does cause some problems, although I think I can solve a few of them now. If I bring Vicky into my pack, it’ll offer you some protections. She’s unaffiliated, correct? I hold the Inquisition’s finances, and you being in a relationship with one of my bitches would give them a reason to back off—a billion reasons, really. That’s a lot of power.” Richard joined me on the couch, claiming the spot between Zachary and I, leaving Evelyn to perch on the arm. “While Jackson will give me headaches, you’re not nearly as dominant as he is. Vicky’s aggressive enough, but I’ve been Alpha a long time, and Nicole is easily her equal. Bringing her in won’t hurt the pack’s dynamic. If you can’t change the rules, I can twist their arm to protect you.”

“She won’t accept it,” my brother replied, and the bitterness in his voice surprised me.

Evelyn crossed her legs, resting her clasped hands on her knee. “Leave that to me. Sure, Vicky’s a rogue, but I’m sure she’ll listen to reason.”

“You?” Richard growled, and I didn’t like the way he frowned at Evelyn. Tensing, I watched him, feeling the rumble of a wordless growl building in my chest.

Leaning over, Evelyn kissed my cheek. “Yes, me. Is there a problem? We’ll be sisters, after all. Anyway, I’m older than both of you.” The challenge in her tone made me want to get between the two Fenerec. I shifted my weight, unable to tear my gaze from Richard.

“And I take it you know how old she is?” Richard countered.

“Sure, she’s Queen Victoria’s little girl. I knew her mother quite well. Ah, you were aware, yes?” Evelyn flushed, running her hands through her hair only to snag her fingers in a knot she had somehow created in the shower. I reached up and freed her before going to work once more untangling her hair.

“I knew,” my brother admitted.

Richard grumbled something before nodding. “Fine. I’ll leave Vicky to you. I can bring you both into the pack at the same time, once we’re in Yellowknife.”

“Thank you. So you’re aware, I prefer a more submissive role in a pack. Relax, Jackson. He’s not going to do anything.”

I couldn’t force myself to look away from the Alpha, sitting rigid as I watched him regard Evelyn with a faint smile.

When he spoke, there was laughter in his voice. “There’s absolutely nothing submissive about you at all. You’re both going to give me headaches.”

Evelyn covered my eyes with her hands, nipping my ear. Trying to duck my head away did me no good; she tightened her hold and sank her teeth into the side of my neck. “Behave.”

“Where’s Alex, anyway?” Zachary asked. “He’s usually your shadow.”

“Probably lazing in bed,” Richard replied, relaxing into the couch and kicking his feet up onto the coffee table. I freed myself from Evelyn’s grip and her teeth, elbowing her gently in the side.

She poked me in the ribs, managing to tickle me in the process. Batting away her hands, I scooted closer to Richard, where I might be safe from her advances. She laughed.

After taking a sip of his coffee, Zachary said, “It’s a Fenerec thing, isn’t it? You all like sleeping in given a chance. I’m astonished you’re up so early, Richard.”

“My wife’s fault. She called, wanting to make certain I was still among the living. I think it’s a twins thing. Please tell me you aren’t a twin, Evelyn. Two sets is more than enough. Once Nicole finds out, she’ll never let it go.”

“Don’t worry. I’m guaranteed unique, as I am an only child.”

“It’s almost a shame you aren’t Vicky’s sister. That’d make it perfect. A pity.”

My twin watched me with narrowed eyes. “You aren’t at all bothered by the fact she’s old enough to be our grandmother?”

I turned to look at Evelyn. “Are you my grandmother, my great grandmother, or any form of distant grandmother?” It was impossible, I knew; the Anderson line had more than six hundred years of proud, Normal heritage, without a single witch or Fenerec tainting the bloodline.

“Absolutely not,” she snapped. “That’s so rude.”

I leveled a glare at my brother. “I am not bothered. Are you?”

A puzzled frown marred his expression. “Huh. I guess I’m not.”

“What’s the problem, then?”

“No problem,” he replied, holding his hands up in surrender.

Richard sucked in a breath, looking between us with wide eyes. “How old are you two?”

“Thirty-two,” we chorused.

I shook my head. “You should know how old I am, Richard!”

“Quiet, you. Are you aware you don’t look a day over twenty-one?” he asked, furrowing his brow.

Zachary burst out laughing. “You’re being generous, Richard. They don’t look a day over eighteen. Trust me on this one, I know. I met them when they were freshly minted adults. They’re blessed with eternally good looks, curse them both.”

“Don’t throw stones, Richard. You’re no different, nor is your wizard wife.”

“We’re Fenerec. We don’t age. You’re a witch, you do. Are you—wait, only one of you is a witch. That doesn’t make sense. A witch can use a glamour to look young, but only you could do that, Dante.” He stood, prowled to my brother, and took a deep breath. When he returned to me, he sniffed at me, his eyes narrowed and were rimmed in yellow. “And yes, I had a rough idea. I just didn’t think anything of it because I’ve known you since before you turned into a giant.”

I placed my palm on his forehead and pushed him away. “Keep your nose to yourself. No, I can’t do a glamour, if you must know. What’s your problem?”

“I’m confused,” he admitted.

“Well, that’s two of us.” He leaned closer to me, and I finally relented, letting him sniff at me, muttering a few curses under my breath. “That’s creepy, stop that.”

“Stalled aging is a Fenerec trait,” he said.

“So I’ve been told. We are not Fenerec, and I am the only witch.”

Richard sank back down on the couch, staring at me. “This is going to drive me insane.”

“Well, that’s a short trip for you,” I grumbled.

Richard snorted and replied, “You’re not funny.”

Zachary drained his coffee and stood. “All right. I think it’s time we broke this party up. We should give the lovebirds a chance to have some peace and quiet, something neither one has had since boarding. I have work to do. We’re still on tidal wave watch, since there’s been aftershock activity on the ridge all night long. I’m not expecting anything, but why take chances? If you’re hungry, Boss, give Max a ring. He’s your gopher for today. Also, Brandon asked me to tell you that he wants to see you sometime today about something.”

I sighed. “Down in his pitiable excuse for an office?”

“Yes.”

Wrinkling my nose at the thought of having to face the cargo bay again, I shook my head. “No, thank you.”

Zachary laughed. “You’ll have your very own army composed of at least two bodyguards and a Fenerec. You’ll be fine.”

I recognized the inevitable when I saw it, so I surrendered with a long-suffering sigh, exaggerated for Zachary’s benefit. “I suppose if I must.”

“You must. Sometime today. That means before midnight, Boss. Now, as for the rest of you—out! Give him a chance to get a shower and dressed… or not.” When Zachary waggled his eyebrows at me, I glowered at him.

It didn’t take long for Zachary to herd everyone out of the room. Groaning my relief at their departure, I stretched my legs and propped my feet on the coffee table. “That was interesting.”

“It was,” she agreed, sliding down onto my lap to nibble on my ear. “Mine.”

“I seem to recall agreeing to something of that nature,” I replied, leaning my head back and closing my eyes.

“You needed to hear it again.”

I couldn’t argue with her on that score. Certain I would never tire of her staking her claim, I accepted defeat with a murmur of agreement.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, snuggling close to me.

“I’ve been better.”

She rested her chin on my shoulder. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I felt like I was standing on the edge of a precipice. With a single misstep, I’d fall, likely ending up at the bottom of a ravine as a smear on the ground. With Suzanne, I never would have considered talking about it. I hadn’t wanted to burden her.

Then again, Suzanne hadn’t been one to ask me such a question, and that made all of the difference in the world to me.

Evelyn wanted to know, and for that reason alone, I replied, “Want to? No. Should I? Probably.”

“I’m listening.”

It took me several long minutes to work up the courage to fetch the laptop, open it up, and show Evelyn my daughter’s birth certificate. For the second time in my life, I told someone the truth about my witchcraft, sharing with her how I carried the names of the dead with me, and what I had learned of Suzanne’s betrayal.

I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that I remembered what it felt like to die.

Chapter Twelve

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Evelyn, but her slow burning rage wasn’t it.

The way she paced with her jade eyes glinting with gold was an echo of my turbulent feelings, which I contained behind a stoic mask. While she prowled the stateroom, I sat still and quiet, wondering what I would do next. I knew what I wanted, but revenge wasn’t something I’d actively pursued before.

Before I could do anything, I needed to find out who was responsible for my little girl’s death.

“Someone murdered your baby girl,” Evelyn snarled, whirling to face me. Her knuckles turned white as she clenched her hands into fists. “When I find them…”

The promise of violence in Evelyn’s voice drew a wince out of me. If the Fenerec got a hold of Jacqueline’s killer, I doubted there would be much left of them. I wanted to help, which didn’t make matters easier on me.

“I have to find them first,” I replied, careful to keep my voice quiet and my tone even. With Evelyn’s temper volatile enough for the both of us, the last thing I needed was to set her off even more.

Narrowing her eyes, she regarded me as she did the rabbits on television, calculating my every move. “You?”

“Me,” I confirmed, meeting her gaze. “They were after me. That woman had the stone, and it seems obvious to me that she wanted me alive. I need to know what she was doing with that stone and how Suzanne was involved.”

Evelyn slid her way over the arm of the couch onto my lap, prodding my collarbone with a finger. “And that’s the exact reason
I
will find out the truth. They want you, not me. They aren’t touching you. Never again, Jackson. Never,” she hissed, grabbing hold of my shirt. Her face reddened, and she stared at me in defiance, tense as she waited for me to reply.

I took hold of her hands, prying her off of my shirt. Pulling her close, I rested my cheek against her hair, drawing a deep breath so I could savor her cinnamon scent. “I have no intention of letting them try that again,” I promised. “Once was enough.”

She sighed, leaning against me. “Richard wants to fly us to Yellowknife.”

I grinned a little at the complaint in her tone. “That is where he lives. He’s a good pilot, so don’t worry.”

“I don’t fly.”

“Well, I’d certainly hope not. I like you just as you are. Wings would make certain things more difficult,” I replied, proving my point by running my hand through her hair and trailing a finger down her spine. She squirmed, giggling as I stroked her sides.

“Stop that,” she protested. Instead of obeying, I worked my hand under her shirt, running my fingertips in circles along her lower back and ribs. She squealed, batting at my arms. Her back arched as I found a particularly ticklish spot on her side. “Jackson!” she shrieked, scrambling across the couch in her effort to escape.