Hell or High Water (Gemini Book 3) (3 page)

It wasn’t a total lie. I had spent weeks searching for her before finding and losing her again.

“I didn’t know.” He scratched the pencil thoughtfully against his cheek. “I sure hate to hear that.”

That he cared made me like him that much more. Most of her coworkers had been fine with writing her off as a loss, a life for a life. Harlow was a good kid who had made a terrible mistake that got a man killed. Did that mean she ought to be punished? Maybe. Did that mean she deserved what she got? No. I couldn’t believe that. Damn it, she was worth saving.

“Right now I’m not sure what it means that Harlow is tangled up in Isaac’s disappearance, but I’ll get to the bottom of it.” Besides the fact she was acting as the latest avatar for Charybdis, and that he saw my family as a means of settling some imagined score, I had pitiful few clues to go on. Telling Comeaux might endanger my family. Factor in Vause’s disappearance, and any whiff of suspicion might bring the conclave down on all our heads. So I kept that knowledge to myself. “Hopefully, when I locate him, I’ll find her too.”

“You’re doing all this off the grid?” He whistled. “You’ve got balls, Ellis. I knew I liked you for a reason.”

The absent caress of Graeson’s fingers over my hip spoke of his approval in Comeaux’s tastes.

“Agent Ellis.” Polo returned with a clipboard in hand. “Give us another ten to finish processing the scene, and we’ll release the vehicle into your custody as you’re the next of kin.”

Next of kin.
The chilling phrase sent a shiver zinging through me that Graeson rubbed away.

“We’ll process what evidence our techs collected and start proceedings to acquire what the cops found.” He caught the tech’s eye. “The local PD was first on scene. The erasure spell was cast prior to our arrival, but their samples might not be tainted.”

Erasure spell or not, they wouldn’t find much. Of that I was certain. Charybdis had eluded us this long for a reason.

Thank the gods the quirky cercibis had been staking out the gas pumps when he had, or we’d have nothing to go on.

“I should go help wrap up the paperwork.” Comeaux speared Graeson with a cajoling smile. “Keep my offer in mind. You could do a lot of good for your people—and ours.”

The tight grin pinned on Graeson’s lips didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ll be in touch.”

To offer a polite decline, I was guessing.

Left alone to count down the promised ten minutes, Graeson hauled me into his arms and massaged my shoulders. The urge to resist his comforting embrace flickered and died as his warmth seeped into my bones. I wasn’t great at this, at allowing myself to indulge after a lifetime of deprivation, of feeling unworthy for being the sister who lived, and we both knew it. He spared me the embarrassment of admitting as much. Instead he taught me with selfless patience to accept what he gave in the hopes one day I might take what I needed from him instead. He asked for nothing from me, content to nibble on my affection in tiny bites as I offered them.

Considering he was the one with a wild spirit, I got the feeling I was the one being tamed.

Fifteen minutes later, the cops left the parking lot. Five minutes later, the marshals did too. Comeaux was last, his dusty black SUV idling at the curb as his ride waited for him. The rumpled marshal did the honors, dropping Isaac’s keys into my palm.

“Can I ask you for a favor?” I folded my hand over the cluttered ring as though protecting them might extend to Isaac too.

“Depends on what you want,” he said frankly. “I like you, but I like steady paychecks more.”

Didn’t we all? “I could use some help locating my parents.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets, glanced at the SUV, and I sensed him wriggling off the hook.

“I’ll give you the favor Bert owes me.” I wouldn’t be back here to collect anyway. “An informant like that might come in handy.”

“All right.” A slow grin took his face. “I’ll take that offer. I have your number in my phone. I’ll call when I find something.”

Passing over one of the feathers Graeson had spat out on the ground, I handed it to Comeaux. “Cercibis remember every feather they’ve ever lost. Give this to him, and tell him I sent you.”

Comeaux didn’t remark on its dampness. “I’ll do that.” He tipped his head. “Safe travels.”

The moment we were alone, I cut my gaze to Graeson. “I’ll meet you at home.”

“Ellis,” he growled.

“I’m okay.” I hooked a smile on my lips. “It’s just that I haven’t talked to Theo in…a long time.” Isaac’s twin brother was not my favorite person, but he was all the family I could locate. “I’d like to break the news to him alone.”

More than that, I required focus for this next part. Theo’s reaction, both to my call and Isaac’s disappearance, would be all the proof I got that he was untainted by Charybdis.

Unhappy but understanding, Graeson stole a brief kiss that startled me with its suddenness.

One day I would be prepared for his affection. One day I would rise up on my toes, link my arms around his neck and put my gratitude into the reverent press of my mouth on his. But not today. Not while my bleeding heart weighted my heels flat on the ground.

“I’ll see you at home.” He made it sound like a dare. As if I’d run from him. I was in too deep now. “Call if you need me.”

With the pack bond severed, he was carrying a cheap prepaid phone for a change. Dell too, but she kept losing hers. Speaking of my shadow… “Take Dell with you.”

His jaw worked over an instant denial. “Charybdis is hunting you, hunting your family. I respect your right to privacy, but respect my right to keep you safe.” For the first time since I’d left the two wargs to settle their differences, Graeson acknowledged Dell with a jerk of his chin that brought her loping toward us. “She’ll wait here, in plain sight. Drive as far as you can and still see her, and she won’t overhear you.” Muscle ticked in his cheek. “Is that fair?”

“Okay,” I agreed, because it was a good compromise. He was trying, and I didn’t want to be alone despite what I’d told him. “This won’t take long.” A flicker of a smile warmed me. “I would promise to check in once we’re headed your way, but I’m sure Dell will let you know without me having to ask.”

Graeson’s silence stood as agreement, not the least bit chagrined that I was right. She was my friend, but orders given by someone more dominant stuck. Though that same willingness to bodyguard me and then report back to him must be one of her most endearing qualities as far as he was concerned.

Following Graeson’s instructions, I drove as far as I could while keeping Dell visible in my rearview mirror, then pulled off to the side of the road where I dissolved into tears I wasn’t strong enough to share with anyone—not even Graeson—yet.

Old habits die hard it seems.

Tears wet on my cheeks, I forced my hands to stop shaking long enough for me to palm Isaac’s cell. The techs had left it on the seat spotted with fingerprint dust, and it stained my hands as I checked his call history and retrieved Theo’s number. His name popped up three times more often than mine or Aunt Dot’s. I hadn’t realized he and Isaac spoke so often. Or at all really, Isaac being so averse to speaking on phones, in texts or not.

One more deep breath, then I dialed and punched send. I fingered the pearl bracelet Harlow had given me out of habit.

“What’s up, bro?” a breathless voice yelled over throbbing dance music.

“Theo, it’s Camille.”

“Cammie?” The noise muted, filtered through the palm he must have slapped over the receiver. “Give me a sec.” Slowly the pulsating bass waned. “Want to tell me what the hell you’re doing with Izzy’s phone?”

Throat tight, I wet my lips and broke the news. “He’s missing. He vanished from a gas station a few hours ago.” I flattened a palm hard against my chest like it might stop my heart from escaping through the cracks in my ribs. “No one has heard from Aunt Dot either, and her truck is missing. I think she was taken too.”

“Where are you?” Icebergs ran warmer than his voice now, the chill of his words reassuring me he was himself. “Never mind. I’ve triangulated your signal. Keep the phone on. I’ll find you.”

I lowered the phone to my lap and smudged my thumb across the screen.

Never had I been happy to hear that Theo was due for a visit.

I guess there really was a first time for everything.

D
ell
and I returned home to find organized chaos. Our borrowed corner of the pack lands bustled with activity. The Chandler wargs kept to their homes while our tightknit band of exiles scurried to pack their belongings and meet their former alpha’s deadline to vacate the premises.

“Like ants on a mound,” Dell observed.

“And Bessemer’s the kid holding the magnifying glass into a sunbeam.”

An almost smile graced her lips, but she smelled like fur and regret to my heightened senses.

“We’re going to get him back,” I promised her, as much for her sake as my own. “Aunt Dot too.”

“Yes, we will.” An exhale pursed her lips. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to take away from your pain, when this is your burden. Not mine.” She knuckled her chest. “My wolf is riled, that’s all. Too much change too fast probably.”

“You’re entitled to your feelings.” Dell and Isaac had been blasting mixed signals at one another since the day they met. “I’m glad you got to know Isaac well enough to worry for him. He doesn’t make it easy.”

The hurt wafting off her made me wonder how deep their antagonistic friendship extended.

Angling Isaac’s truck into the wide clearing where four gleaming silver Airstream trailers formed a wide circle came second nature to me. Eyes on my mirrors, I shifted into reverse, lined up the hitch with ease after a lifetime of practice, then threw the gearshift in park.

The door swung open before I killed the ignition, and the surly-faced alpha of an as-yet-unnamed pack reached in and hauled me into his arms so fast my feet didn’t have time to touch the ground. While my heels drummed the running board in a weak attempt to wriggle free, Dell made her escape and jogged toward the others to lend a hand.

“You smell like tears,” he murmured against my neck. “Is everything all right?”

Laughter muffled against his shoulder as I turned my face into his cheek. “You mean other than my aunt and favorite cousin being kidnapped by a serial killer’s changeling puppet while the cousin who’s hated me since we were kids is coming to ream me out about it?”

Scruffy as he was, his smile tickled against my skin. “Yes. Other than that.”

“Then yes, everything is fine.” I squirmed until my boots hit dirt. “How much longer do we have?”

“Six hours.” He released me with obvious reluctance, and I was reminded yet again how tactile wargs were compared to Gemini or fae in general. “Everyone is packed and ready.”

“Waiting on me,” I said, because it was true.

A frown cut his mouth. “No one sees it that way.”

No one could have foreseen these events, except perhaps the Garzas if I’d only known to ask them, and no one would blame me for holding up our mass exodus considering we had no destination in mind, but squatting on Bessemer’s land was dangerous for us all. It was past time we left.

“I have a favor to ask Dell.” I fisted Isaac’s keys. “I’ll need help moving the trailers now that…”

My throat worked over a knot. Using all those years of practice in blocking out memories of Lori, I erected a mental barrier of questionable integrity and prayed it held until we made it out of Villanow. I had to be strong and focus on getting Aunt Dot and Isaac back safe. Grief would only slow me down.

Pushing off Graeson’s warm chest, away from his comforting embrace, I headed for the milling group of nervous-smelling wargs who now belonged to Graeson.

“Alpha.” Dell set the tone, her cheerful facade back in place, and the others murmured hesitant greetings. “What do you need?” She crossed to me, wiped tears I hadn’t felt slide down my cheeks, and crushed me against her chest. “Other than a hug, ’cause you had to know that was incoming.”

“I need you to drive Isaac’s truck and trailer for me.” Tongue thick, I managed to add, “I’ll need help with Theo’s too.”

Releasing me, she turned thoughtful. “Is Graeson handling Aunt Dot’s?”

“Yes—” I started.

“No.” He clamped a hand on my shoulder. “You’re in no shape to drive, and we have a lot to discuss.”

Things like how, as leaders, we had to actually lead our people to their new home, wherever that was.

One of the men I recognized from Abbeville, Haden, smirked at the reprimand.

A pulse of recalled magic danced up my arm, and scythelike claws sprang from my fingertips. My scent changed, and the musky spice of my dominant she-wolf saturated my skin. His nostrils flared, and the nasty grin fell off his face. Unable to hold my gaze, he ducked his head, chin flush with his chest.

Graeson didn’t speak a word, didn’t have to, but I caught his smug grin out of the corner of my eye.

Championing me in front of the others would damage my reputation, not bolster it. I didn’t need a knight in shining armor. More likely I had to get my own metaphorical sword bloody to prove the point I had earned my mate, my title.

Right now emotions ran high. These wargs were about to leave the home they had known their whole lives in search of something new, something better. It was a terrifying prospect, and I respected that. But their instincts had them itching to dominate me except when I smelled more warg than fae and, like with the selection, I would have to back up my claim with teeth and claws when necessary.

Graeson would let me fight my own battles. As foul as my mood was, I looked forward to it.

“I’ll ask around and see who’s comfortable driving a truck and trailer.” Dell punched my shoulder. “With all these good ol’ country boys at our disposal, it shouldn’t be hard to find volunteers hoping to score bonus points with the new alpha.”

“I’ll take one off your hands.”

At first I wasn’t sure where the offer had originated, but Haden sneaked a peek up at me. I shared a questioning glance with Dell, who nodded approval, but I wasn’t convinced. “These trailers are our homes. They’re precious to us, and I need to know you’ll care for them the way you would your own property. Your attitude toward me since we met hasn’t exactly inspired faith.”

“You’re fae, and I don’t much trust them.” His chin lifted, his jaw working around a grievance he struggled to phrase politely. “I chose to leave my pack, my home, to follow Cord, and he believes in you.” Lower, almost below my hearing, he grumbled, “My wolf does too.”

Ribbons of warmth sifted through me along with the first glimmer of hope that our fledgling pack might have a bright future.

“This is a big adjustment for all of us,” I allowed, Dell leaning against me, happy as a clam. “I’m still learning what it means to be part of a pack, and I’m bound to make mistakes along the way, but I am trying. That’s all I ask of any of you. Try with me. It’s the only way this will work.”

Several heads bobbed, and low voices murmured in agreement. As a show of good faith, I retrieved the keys to all the trailers and trucks. I dropped Isaac’s keys onto Dell’s palm, and she closed her fist over them with an unreadable expression. Deciding to extend a smidgen of trust, I gave Haden a set of keys too. Theo’s. Just in case. Meaning he got to drive Cord’s truck. That left Graeson and me hauling two trailers pulled by mine, a normal sight for our caravan, unless we scrounged up another volunteer.

“We’ll take responsibility for the last one. Our pickup’s over there.” A man with eyes the color of sun-kissed skies stepped forward. “I’m Jensen.” He gestured toward one of the three women in our group. “That’s my mate, Bianca.”

The fine-boned woman glided forward, hand resting on her protruding stomach, a curtain of straight brown hair concealing her features. “Alpha.”

“Oh. Wow.” I clenched the keys in my fist so hard they bit into my palm. “You’re pregnant.”

Smooth, Cam. Smooth as a baby’s behind.

The burly man squared off with me. “Is that a problem?”

“No. I’m just surprised. A baby.” A child Graeson and I, as alphas, would be responsible for protecting. This couple had that kind of faith in him. Abandoning the familiar, they chose to embrace a new and uncertain life. As a gesture of peace, I turned to Bianca. “Would you mind shaking hands with me?”

Submissive to the core, she extended her arm almost before I got the words out. Jensen loomed over us, gaze fixed with rapt attention on my hand while he wore an expression that spoke of familiarity with my talents.

“I won’t hurt her,” I promised. “She won’t feel a thing.”

His reluctant nod dredged a smile out of me. My fingers touched Bianca’s, and the pulse of wildness that identified her as a warg blazed through that contact. Hers was a softer magic, not as potent as the other female wargs I’d touched. Dominance could be a factor, but I’d read people for a long time and had an idea of what it meant.

“You’re a half-blood,” I surmised, and a flush stole over her cheeks.

“Y-yes.” Her palm went damp. “I am.”

The trick I was about to perform only worked on a person with magical integrity of a certain level, with a pregnancy past a certain stage. Babies weren’t my thing, but I’d engaged in enough watercooler chat with expectant coworkers to know a baby bump popped out around six months, for most humanoid species, meaning Bianca fell right inside that narrow window.

From what Graeson had told me, pureblood pups were rare, and wargs bred with humans easier than other wargs. A half-blood child had a fifty-fifty shot at being able to shift at puberty. Otherwise it would live out its life as little more than human, a part of the pack but held apart.

Having grown up so alone, my heart half-empty, I wouldn’t wish that type of isolation on anyone, especially not a child.

“Jensen?” I held the keys out in my other hand. “Here you go.”

His fingers brushed mine, and potent magic spilled up my arm. Had I never met him before and shaken his hand, I would have known a powerful wolf slumbered inside him. He was a pureblood. That gave their child better odds of being born with a wolf’s spirit inside it.

Sending a featherlight pulse of tingling magic through the hand clasping Bianca’s for confirmation, I gave them news that would ease their minds the last three months of her pregnancy. “Your—” I caught myself before giving away the sex of the baby, since magic is distinctly male or female, and both flavors can’t coexist inside the same person naturally, “—child is wolfborn.”

“How can you—?” The keys poured through his fingers, and he bent to scoop them up again. “Are you sure?”

“Magic doesn’t lie.” I laughed as her hand was ripped from mine when Jensen grabbed her hips, lifted her high and spun her around. “Congratulations.”

“Alpha?” Cheeks flush, Bianca leaned against her mate once he set her down on pain of an evening dose of morning sickness. “You hesitated. Does that mean…? Do you know if we’re having a boy or a girl?”

Jensen’s head snapped toward me. “You can tell?”

An amused smile lifted one side of my mouth. “Do you want to know?”

“Hell yes” clashed with “Not now,” and I stood there until the couple made their decision.

“Right now it’s enough to know our little wolf truly is a little wolf.” Bianca patted her mate’s chest. “Can we come to you again if we change our minds?”

Their relief at getting confirmation of their child’s leanings sent a pang rocketing through my chest. Predators birthing children doomed to be seen as prey amounted to a death sentence in aggressive packs. They were right to be glad. I had to stop projecting my own abandonment issues onto them. It wasn’t their fault my parents had left because I was less, because I wasn’t
normal
.

“Of course.” A coarse hand gripped my elbow, warmth spilling up my arm, and Graeson led me away from the crowd, knowing as he always did that I needed to distance myself from the happy couple through no fault of their own. “I appreciate the rescue. I’m glad for them, but I’m not myself, and I don’t want to take away from their joy.”

“You were magnificent.” His eyes shone golden with pride. “I had no idea.” He brought my hands to his lips and kissed each finger. “Your talents never cease to amaze me.”

“It’s nothing. Just a trick I learned.” Embarrassed, I rolled a shoulder. “It made me popular with pregnant coworkers.”

“It’s not a trick, it’s a gift.” He linked our fingers. “
You
are a gift.”

Heat rose in my cheeks, and I had to look away before my vision went glassy. “You’re just trying to butter me up so I’ll stick around and handle my half of the pack duties.”

A chuckle radiated from him, and I sneaked a glimpse at his smile.

“You’re half right.” He wrapped my arms around his waist, and a pleased vibration rattled his chest when I linked my fingers behind his back without prompting. “I do want to butter you up.”

I leaned my cheek against his pecs and blinked at the hot prickle of tears behind my eyes. “You’ll get tired of me.” It was my greatest fear, letting him in, him seeing the lack in me and leaving.

“Maybe.” He kissed the top of my head. “Just in case, I think we should spend the rest of our lives together to be sure.”

I shut my eyes against a feeling too large to contain within my chest until I could breathe again. “Where do we go from here?”

Another press of his warm lips, this time against my temple. “You and I, or the pack?”

“The pack.” Forcing myself to step out of the circle of his arms, I glanced around the clearing. “We can’t stay.”

“I made some calls while you were in town. I found an RV campground about an hour north, near Chattanooga. They’ve got room for your trailers, and they have decent security in case we end up parking there for a while. They’re also the nearest location with full hookups.” He tapped the end of my nose with his fingertip. “Best of all, thanks to a sewage geyser erupting from their blocked septic tank earlier in the week, the place is a ghost town. Only two slots are rented, and those just for a few days. We’ve leased the rest of the campground for the week, so human interactions should be minimal.”

Gooseflesh rose in stinging peaks down my arms, as though someone had walked across my grave. Like death, the return trip to my honorary home state seemed inevitable.

“That sounds good.” Stinky but better than the alternative, squatting in a human-filled campground with a baker’s dozen wargs itching to get hairy and run under the moon. I hauled out Isaac’s phone and shot Theo a quick text update with the promise of directions once I had them, though he sounded confident he could locate me on his own. “We should get moving so we can settle in before dark.”