rogue shifter 06 - torn apart (28 page)

"I was afraid." My gaze drifted to my hands, clutched together in my lap.

"Afraid of me?" He looked concerned.

"Of course not. I was afraid of hurting you."

"Did that thought cross your mind when he was sticking his tongue down your throat?" I looked up, shocked to see angry sparks in his eyes. His mouth opened again, then snapped shut, thinning out as he seemed to swallow down his next set of angry words. My mate was a master at controlling his anger, but the tension in his body betrayed him. His gaze took in the stars as he scooted a few inches away on the seat, as if he couldn't stand touching or looking at me any longer. My stomach clenched into a queasy knot. I'd hurt him badly.

"I didn't feel anything when he kissed me." I realized too late how lame that sounded.

He sighed. "Is that supposed to make me feel better? It doesn't. He put his lips on your lips and his tongue in your mouth. His body was up against yours. He marked you with his scent and called you his property...his
lover
. How would you react if I kissed my donors and told you I didn't feel anything when I did it?"

Guilt pounded at my heart. "I'd hate it." I twisted forward so I could look into his eyes, trying to be brave. "Part of the deal is that when I'm there I have to obey him."

"And if he says you have to sleep with him? Will you obey him then? Will you let him..."

"Never. You know that. It was for that one night at the party, so I could see what was going on with Bridgett and protect Charlie."

His eyes narrowed in anger. "Did you even think to say no?"

"Yes. I slapped him when he kissed me the first time."

"The first time?" He looked crushed. Shit. I'm an idiot. I'd tried to hide what I'd done because I knew it was wrong. I should have told Isaiah to find some other way.

"I'm sorry. I'm trying to do what I can to protect Charlie. Isaiah can be—overwhelming in his own realm." I knew how thin those excuses sounded. He felt betrayed and hurt and he had every right to feel that way. I reached toward his face, wanting so much to touch him and comfort him.

He stood up quickly and moved toward the railing. "I'm going to play a few games of pool with Sash and Rick." He turned around to face me. "I love you, Jacqueline. That will never change. You and Charlie are my heart. But tonight I need a little—distance. Tomorrow...tomorrow we'll talk." He disappeared into the lines.

The light show in the sky continued, but as I watched, my vision blurred with tears.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

I woke up around noon in our ink-black bedroom and reached across the sheets for Garrett. The bed was empty. I panicked at first, then realized that he must have stayed at the villa with Sash and Rick. Every window and door locked down in that house, so he'd be safe to wander around all day, as long as he stayed inside.

The emptiness was vast, both in my heart and my bed. Unable to face getting up, I turned over and cried myself back to sleep.

I was awakened by the buzz that signaled Isaiah's summons. Still bleary, I had just enough focus to shield myself from the deathly heat of the lines. When I arrived in the center of the summoning circle, I collapsed to the floor in a heap.

"Jacqueline, get up. Were you sleeping? It's after lunch and we have work to do."

I stood, scowling. "I'm not feeling up to it today, Isaiah. Please send me home."

"That's impossible. We have a command performance and I have to get you looking your best." He brushed his foot through the salt.

"What are you talking about? I walked past him and sat in his usual cushy throne.

He gave me an appraising look. "You're red-eyed and white as a shade. What did that idiot do to you?"

"Nothing. He was as understanding as any male could be in these circumstances. He was hurt..." I blinked back a few tears.

"No. No, no, no. Not today, little demon. We're going to see your grandmother and you can't be all weepy. You have to get your act together and make her believe that you're my newest significant other. Otherwise we might both be screwed."

"I can't, Isaiah. Not today."

"You will do as I command."

"Or...?"

"I'll—I'll punish you." He seemed confused by my behavior.

"How?"

He scowled, obviously not prepared for that question. "You'll get on your hands and knees and clean all the floors."

"Fine. Where's the bucket?"

"And the bathrooms."

"Fine." I was curled up in the chair staring at the enormous floor that I'd soon be washing.

"This is ridiculous! What's changed?"

"I can't kiss you. I can't kiss you or hug you or let you wrap your arm around my shoulders or my waist or grab my behind. I should never have let it happen the last time."

"Just today. Just this one more time. Mother has called a meeting of the generals and we are required to go. She's asked specifically to meet you."

"Tell her I'm sick."

"Demons don't get sick. Anyway, she'd still expect me to bring you."

"But I'm a werewolf, right? They can get sick." I shrugged. Werewolves were humans first and even though they grew powerful when infected with the virus, they could still catch minor bugs. They recovered quickly, but still... "Make me sick and bring me. She can't expect you to kiss someone who's coughing up a lung, can she?"

"That could be dangerous. The disease will have to run its course."

I shrugged. "I'll take the risk."

His eyes narrowed. "Have you eaten? You truly don't look well."

"I'm not hungry."

"I insist that you eat." He took my hand and we were flashed into the kitchen, which was oddly quiet. He sat me gently on a chair at the table, then conjured some freshly baked bread, cheese and fruit. "Eat. You need to be strong enough to be sick," he teased. I managed to eat a few bites, but no more.

"So you agree not to kiss me?"

"Was your Garrett so angry? Did he strike you?"

My laugh held no joy. "Garrett treats me much better than I deserve. He'd never hit me. I hurt him and I'm—I'm ashamed and angry at myself."

"Not angry with me, the supposed seducer?" he asked, giving me a wink.

"Well—yeah. I guess I am." I allowed myself a half smile.

"Stop feeling guilty. I gave you no choice." He rolled his eyes and grunted. "You can be sick today."

"Thank you." I felt like a kid playing hooky.

"You won't be thanking me when you're coughing up a lung."

"You do know that was just an expression, right?"

"It'll have to be something fairly serious."

"Give me the chicken pox. All those oozing spots are gross looking."

"I think not, since I intend to tell them that you're too weak to walk. Carrying a pox covered female does not appeal to me. I believe the flu will suffice. You'll have a fever and a cough and your body will ache. Can you handle that?"

"I had a kid. I can handle the flu."

"Good." He waved his arm and I was once again turned into Salina. "This is going to hurt," he warned. He laid his palm on my forehead and the illness hit me like a Mack truck. I slumped in the chair, groaning and coughing.

"I hate you—
cough
—right now."

"I've never had a female tell me that she prefers a bout of the flu to my kisses." He grinned, then picked me up easily.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Isaiah sat in a cushioned chair in a pleasant waiting room, holding me in his lap. This waiting around must be the usual protocol for demons, even if they were relatives. Maybe especially if they were relatives. I was surprised to see he'd dressed me in dark red pajamas and a matching robe, albeit very silky high end ones. My feet were covered only in thin socks, but I wasn't concerned since he said I wouldn't be walking. Even if I'd wanted to walk there was no way I could have gone even four steps without falling flat on my face.

Everything hurt. Every muscle. Every joint. My brain cells were being battered black and blue by the headache that threatened to crush my skull

"What strain of flu did you give me?" I asked between coughs.

"I think the Spanish flu. It was the first one that came to mind."

"Didn't that one kill thousands?"

"Millions. But don't fear. I want you healthy. In a few days you'll be as good as new."

"Grrr."

"That was a feeble growl, little wolf." He chuckled.

"I'm sick."

"Your idea. Maybe next time..."

"Grrr." He laughed while I started to cough up a lung. No really—it felt that way. Tissues and water appeared on a nearby table.

"I should cough on your shirt. Get flu phlegm all over it."

"I've had worse things on my shirt." I didn't want to know what he meant so I didn't ask.

He tugged on my hair to get my attention. It worked. "If anything goes wrong tonight, I'll give you this signal." He ran his hands through his thick hair. "Take the lines to my house and head to the safe room. This is the spell to get in and to secure the room." He sent it to me via my besieged mind. "Do not hesitate."

"Okay, Fabio."

"Fabio? The hair thing?"

"Yeah."

"Too much?"

"How about you just send
safe room
to my mind?"

"Not as dramatic."

"Fine—
cough, cough
—do the hair thing."

"You must remain alert enough to watch."

"C'mon. I'm dyin' here. I want to curl into a ball and sleep forever."

"Perhaps this gesture would suffice." He flipped me off.

"Okay, okay. Sorry. I'll stay awake." He picked up the goblet of water and helped me drink. "And thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Not just for the water."

"I know, little demon." He whispered. My heart warmed a little. This male had risked his life, was still risking his life to protect me and my son. Sure he put me in crazy situations, but I trusted him, and trust didn't come easy to me.

A door opened and Grandmother entered along with a demon servant. She was almost Isaiah's height, as beautiful and elegant as any seelie fae. Her hair was a rich mahogany, her skin was perfectly tanned and the graceful way she moved across the large room drew your eye.

Isaiah stood with me in his arms and faced his mother. He'd told me he would translate everything that was said using mindspeak, reminding me that I couldn't show any reaction because I wasn't supposed to understand anything other than English.

"Hello, Mother." Somehow he managed to touch behind his ear and bow low, still holding me steady.

"What is this?" She looked repulsed. I coughed loudly to add fuel to the fire.

"You wished to meet my current lupine acquisition, correct?"

"What is wrong with her?"

"The flu, I fear."

"Disgusting. And how did this slave acquire such an irritating disease?"

"Wolves don't acquire diseases, Mother. They catch them or come down with them or fall prey to them. There is no exchange of currency or favors, at least not generally speaking." The archdemon had seated herself behind an enormous desk, looking all Donald Trumpy. She wore the demon version of a business suit, black loose-fitting slacks and a dark tunic with elaborate embroidery in very specific designs. I recognized some of the same symbols from the tiled floor in Isaiah's receiving room. Maybe it was the family sigil.

Isaiah answered her question after a dramatic sigh. "Alas, she caught it from her former husband before he died. It takes weeks before the symptoms show themselves."

"Bridgett believes she was behaving suspiciously." She frowned, taking a lock of my hair between her fingers to examine it.

"Bridgett also believes that William is wholly back and will be with her for all time." They chuckled together, sharing some private joke. "Look at this pitiful creature, Mother. She is as dangerous to our realm as a demi-fey."

"I consumed the last demi-fey who tried to stab me. She was delicious." They laughed again, Isaiah's giggle entertaining his mother who, I imagined, rarely laughed. Maybe he was using some kind of spell to put her in an agreeable mood.

He spoke in a soothing tone. "The disease has soured this one's blood. I had a taste last night and was quite put off. I may have to send her off temporarily to recover. Then I can resume my..."

"Send her over there." My stomach lurched and I was suddenly transported to a couch in the corner of the room, no longer interesting and so dismissed. Fortunately the water and the tissues accompanied me. I pretended to sleep, but kept my eyes slitted and my ears peeled.

"Thank you, Mother. She's put on a few pounds since I took over ownership."

"Perhaps you've impregnated her?"

"I'm careful in that regard. I don't see the point. One's progeny always disappoint." He winked.

Grandmother laughed. "She's your type,
son
."

"Yes. She is very much my type. I've had several offers for her. Kobe actually proposed giving me two favors for a week of her company."

"Kobe can keep his favors. The female is yours to play with first." She looked back in my direction. "I've had a few beasts as lovers. They can be quite entertaining." I wondered if my cheetah shifter grandfather was one of the beasts she referred to.

Isaiah glanced in my direction, his gaze calming me. "Extremely so. Perhaps I take after you in that predilection."

Her eyes narrowed. "Lately, I wonder about you. Your loyalty..."

"Will never falter, Mother. I will carry your banner into battle if that is your wish. I will fight a hoard of vicious demi-fey, or a herd of ambling gnomes or Caelen himself, if you command it." He bowed deeply, his left hand touching behind his ear, his right sweeping out with a low flourish.

She smiled broadly, seeming charmed by her son's antics. Oh, he was good. "Have your spies heard anything new regarding the fae mongrel?" I was pretty sure that she was referring to Charlie.

"I am told he is an average child without great gifts in any area. The mixed blood must have neutralized his magic."

She nodded, looking thoughtful. "I've heard several reports regarding the night of the celebration. I'm not pleased with the way you treated our guest of honor."