Protector (21 page)

I ducked as several shellfish splattered like bullets on the rocks at my feet. A second later, harbor ducks cackled and the seagulls hissed at the competition.

I stumbled back as all of the birds dived in on the smelly treat.

“Rover, stop.”

I heard one single bark, and looking at what came at me, I groaned.

What had I done to the universe today?

Dropping, I flattened myself to the ground as a golden Labrador on a length of blue leash pulled its master off the track and yelping, his jaws open and drool flying, he sprung overtop.

The dog’s master tripped over the rocks, his sneakers skidding on the crushed shellfish, his arms lifting to flap as he lost his balance.

Birds took wing over the water, the dog chased and an almighty bellow sounded as a shower of water sprayed over me.

I wiped at my face, hands dangling over my knees as I sat. It took only half a minute for one very wet man to trudge out of the water, one equally wet dog hanging off his heels.

I looked at him as he wrung out the dripping ends of his blue shirt. His dark hair was plastered to his skull as he mumbled under his breath.

I bit my lower lip. “Nice day isn’t it?”

He grunted, and the dog behind him rolled his torso in preparation for a fast dry.

Yeah, it was lovely.

Dropping my head into my palms, I waited for the inevitable spray of seawater to fly since I was in its direct path.

Super-duper.

They left and I shook off the cold drops, rising to brush off the gravel sticking just about everywhere.

I slapped my sore legs, muttering out loud as I set out. “Yeah, Dad, thanks for the warning and all. Watch out for the birds? Jeez, just you wait until I get a forewarning about you.”

Every part of my body ached, but still I ran.

I circled the mountain’s perimeter, and took the track looping to the summit, focusing on each grooved and planked step ahead of me. I looked at the sheep-gate ahead, but my legs gave way–and I fell to the ground.

Staring up, my mind fuzzed at the edges, a wrenching pull from within, seeking toward Davio.

I groaned.

That was it.

My mind needed the physical connection of the merge.

Why else did I lay here, my legs a dead weight and my mind crying out for him?

It was worth a shot to see if it was the truth.

I looked to the summit. I had to get there, to the more obvious point.

I flashed to the top, slumping.

For the first time in close to three days, I unblocked my link with Belle.

I dragged in a deep breath and called out to her.
Hey, long time, no hear.

Faith Stryker.
How dare you ignore me. I’ve been sooo worried. I haven’t—

Okay, she wasn’t in the best of spirits.
I’m sorry. I didn’t realize empaths got so upset.

They do when the boss– I mean– Boy, I’ve been in your company too much.

It’s okay. I get it.
I tried to raise my hand to my head, but my arms were too shaky. The thumping continued and my hand fell back to my side.
I’m at th
e summit of Mauaō. Something’s wrong. Tell Davio I need him. We don’t have a telepathic link yet, so I have to go through you.

I can feel your pain through our link. That’s not good.

I dragged in a deep breath.
I’m going to pass out.

But you’re a fast-healer. Fast-healers are rarely sick.
The summit. Give me a minute.

I took a breath, each one stuttering in and out.

I’m back. What have you done to yourself?

Is he coming?
Tears leaked out and ran down my cheeks.
I can’t move
.

He’s on his way.

Then the air stirred–just the gentlest of breezes.

He was close.

My mind soared and I lay blinking, my head swimming as his thoughts flew right at me–most not so good.

My mind rolled around in his, soaking in everything. I let out a rumbling sigh. Yum, I had what I wanted.

I rolled to my side, lifting my head as I staggered to my feet.

I saw him, just over the rise.

Pushing one foot in front of the other, I called out, staggering forward.

He spun around, his gaze narrowing on me, and he was here. “Damn it.” His hands dug into my waist. “Where the hell have you been for three days?”

I tried to lift my arms, only they flopped uselessly at my sides, my legs barely holding me up.

“Around.” I lost my balance.

A grumble as he caught me. “You look so pale. Why can’t you stand?” He followed my weakened movements with his gaze.

“Everything’s spinning. I feel–”

I hiccupped.

“Ooo, Ieee.” My tongue got stuck over tingly lips. I tried again. “Ooo, Ieee.” I giggled at the silly words.

“Are you drunk?” With his hands under my arms, he lifted me higher, his fingers tickling.

I laughed. “Stoppy.” I wobbled, wagging my head at him. “Nooo be wonky and angree,” I said, because his eyes were darkening in that way he got right before his temper exploded.

Which meant I had to find my feet. I glanced down. Where were my feet? I sniggered as I saw them. No wonder they didn’t want to work–they were spinning, or was that still my head?

He growled. “Silas and Zac have arrived.”

I looked up, and there they were. One big smile for them. “Howwwdy.”

Davio lifted me higher, until we were nose to nose and I dangled several inches from the ground. “What’s happened?”

“I’ma hangin’. Wha’ ’bout you?” What was wrong with me? I laughed again, impossibly giddy.

Staring into my eyes, he took a deep whiff. “Are you under the influence?”

Hand to mouth, I burped. “Noopey,” I said, sounding as intoxicated as I’d ever felt in my entire life. “But I am high.” I tittered as I clutched his shirtfront. “See, high, high, highy. Way up high in the sky.”

I couldn’t think straight. I felt as if I’d drunk a whole bottle of vodka.

Behind him, Silas grumbled. “I think your mate’s been drinking.”

“Sounds and looks like it to me,” Zac added unhelpfully.

I tilted forward, banging my head into Davio’s. “Nooo–” Hiccup. “Sloshy.” Dumbfound, I scratched my tummy.

Setting me on my feet, his forefinger and thumb gripped my chin as he tipped my head back and looked into my eyes. “Your pupils are dilated and your skin is flushed.” He turned to Zac. “Ask Viv to meet us at Belle’s place. Tell her I want our personal physician.”

I heard Zac’s answer seconds later. “It’s done.”

I swayed and smiled, drinking in the heady sight of my returned mate. “Goodness, but you are sooooooo gorrgeeous. Misssy yooou.”

“Let’s just get you to Belle’s.” He bent, an arm coming in under my knees and another around my back as he lifted me.

Silas stepped up. “How can she be so drunk at seven in the morning? That’s odd, isn’t it?”

I flung out a hand at Silas and pathetically slapped him. “Not drunk.” Which was the truth–except for the part where I actually appeared as if I were.

Davio tucked my head under his chin. “Close your eyes. I don’t want you being sick while we teleport.”

“Oh no. No-noooo sicky,” I slurred as I tried to catch my fingers in his beige button-down shirt. My eyelids slid shut, slowly and completely.

I groaned and opened my eyes as he flashed us back to Belle’s. My stomach rolled, and I gulped great mouthfuls of air.

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I had been drinking. It certainly felt like I had.

Ooo, yee-ah, that unreal bottle of vodka had a lot to answer for.

With careful movements, Davio propped me on the couch and held my shoulders. “Belle, some water.”

She appeared with a glass and I grinned sloppily at her. “I misss–”

She frowned, tut-tutting under her breath. “I can’t believe this. You’re drunk?” She edged in, kneeling and taking my chin in hand. “I’ll just tap into your– Oh– Oh no. She’s so drunk she’s making me feel drunk.”

Then she slipped onto her bottom and belched.

I clutched my stomach, giggles rolling from me.

Silas rolled his eyes as he lifted Belle, her limbs flopping around as he propped her beside me. He glared at me. “Belle can channel reactions along with emotions so if she says you’re drunk, then you’re drunk. You gotta wee alcohol problem there, Blondie?”

I giggled, my chest bumping up and down. “Silas is funnee.”

He snorted and set his hands on his head.

Davio arched a brow. “What did you drink?”

I blinked, lifting my finger and jabbing it at him. “Nothin’.”

“Excuse me, Your Highness.”

I jumped, albeit sloppily, having not seen Viv arrive. I focused as well as I could and saw a far, and I mean a far, too young-looking doctor in tow.

Oh right, duh, they all looked young.

Davio stepped over to speak to him, and the moment he let go of me, I fell sideways into Belle. “Belle, did I…tell you–” Hiccup. “I missed you?”

She squinted at me through half-closed lids. “Nooo. Shh, tirrred.” She fell flat on her face.

I laughed as I lost my head rest and slumped on top of her.

We were a pathetic pair.

“Miss?” The doctor spoke. He lifted one of my eyelids and sent a bright beam of light at me.

I recoiled, closing my eyes and sinking my anxious mind deeper into Davio’s. “Go away,” I said to the doctor, flapping an awkward hand at him. “You’re not allowed to hurt me. Davio will kill you.” Somehow, I knew that, even in my smashed state.

The doctor checked my temperature, his hand moving over my forehead. “She’s drunk, Your Highness. Allow her to rest for an hour or two. Her fast-healing will deal with the excess of alcohol quicker than any drug I could prescribe. Do you need me to stay?”

“Yes. I need you to take every precaution with her health.”

I snuggled into Belle’s back and heard her snoring, a little of the sound muffled by the cushions her face was mushed into.

“Here, let me take her somewhere more comfortable.” I peeked one eye open as Silas picked her up and carried her to the opposite couch.

With my anchor gone, I slithered into Belle’s spot headfirst and ate a mouthful of fluff as I did. Davio turned me, sweeping clinging strands of hair off my face. “Try and sleep, okay? Belle isn’t appreciating your current state of inebriation since she can’t fast-heal. You have to do it for her by healing first since she’s tapped into you. And why do you smell like you’ve swum in the ocean?” He pinched his nose.

“Birdees.”

He frowned. “You’re seeing birdees?” He rubbed his forehead. “I guess you will if you’re drunk.”

I didn’t bother to defend myself. No one believed me and quite frankly, I barely did either. I yawned and burped, the noise hammering the nail into the coffin of everyone’s current assessment of me. “Lie sidee. Mindy thingummy.”

“You mean your mind-merge?”

“Nooo loozy.”

He groaned, but bedded down beside me, wrapping one arm around me to hold me in place.

Like I was going anywhere.

Sighing, I burrowed, the world around me darkening then disappeared.

* * * *

“Mmm.” I stretched and uncurled, and oh boy, my body felt like my own again.

“Go back to sleep. It’s only been five minutes.” I heard Davio, his voice rumbling under my cheek.

“It can’t have been five minutes.” I elbowed up to see Belle waking across the room.

She blinked. “We’re better already?”

Pressing the back of his hand to my cheek, Davio frowned. “The doctor said an hour or two, but you feel cool.”

“I was never drunk.” I wriggled my shoulders, wanting to move. “If it’s of any help, I may have imbibed too much seawater, but that’s it.”

He scrubbed at his stubbly jaw. “If you weren’t drunk, what happened?”

I squished up my mouth. “I need to move. Let me up.”

I got a look in return that said a definite no.

I slumped back. “Okay, so my mind might have missed yours. And I got a touch tipsy when we reconnected.”

Across the room, Silas doubled over in laughter and it was impossible to tune him out. I threw him a scowl before seeing Silvie fidgeting from foot to foot at his side. Great. I needed to deal with Silvie.

Davio squeezed my arms. “Are you sure that’s all it was?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. It seems you can send me spinning out, in all sorts of different directions, even when only seconds back in your company.”

Silas scoffed. “I don’t believe there wasn’t any alcohol involved. The blonde was definitely drunk.”

I narrowed my gaze on him. “I don’t like you much and I should know since I listened to your rambles over the weekend.”