rogue shifter 06 - torn apart (31 page)

"Stronger. The people we love make us stronger." I stuck out my chin and met his gaze again. "You've done enough harm. Please, leave us alone."

"I will not release you from our agreement. Two days every year is little enough time to spend with the two beings who make me vulnerable and stronger."

Charlie was back with Sinlae, so I couldn't respond to his startling comment.

"Mommy. There were three frogs. Sinlae said I couldn't bring one home...that they were a family. Do you think there are any orphan frogs near our house? I could name him Oliver after the kid in the story." Sinlae motioned for him to pour the water into a pot hanging over a small fire that she'd just conjured up.

"Frogs don't do well out of water. It is better to leave them in the wild. Would you like a dog?" Kennet asked.

Was he really going to bribe Charlie with a pet? What was next, Disneyland? "We have Samson." I rubbed my Rottweiler's head and scratched him behind the ears.

"Samson's yours." Charlie spoke up, excited by the idea of getting his own dog.

"We'll discuss this with Daddy when we get home." I watched his shoulders sag, but he didn't argue.

"Okay." Charlie's eyes suddenly grew wider. Kennet was concentrating on Charlie with an expression I knew only too well.

"No!" I grabbed my son and pushed him behind me. "You won't get into his head. You won't..."

"I will not hurt him. I swore to this." He let out a long frustrated breath. Suddenly he was in my mind.
"Jacqueline, he has my gift."

"Not yet...he's too young."

"
He must learn how to use it soon
,
before he harms someone
."

"He's never going to use it to hurt people. To rape their minds..."

"He will use it to protect himself and his family. War is coming. Don't you want him well armed?"

"What's wrong, Mommy?" Charlie's face was scrunched up in anger, his gaze locked only on Kennet. "Is he hurting you?"

"No honey. We're discussing what Kennet will teach you."

"He'll teach me everything he knows so I can keep you safe." Kennet grinned more widely than I'd ever seen him smile. He almost looked handsome. "And then he'll go away."

Charlie's last words had been whispered, his voice icy with a barely contained rage. Kennet's only response had been an eyebrow arched in curiosity, but this was a side of my son I'd never seen. A darker side. A part of him he'd have to call on often if he was to lead people into battle. As a shiver ripped down my spine, I looked to Sinlae for answers. Her eyes were on Charlie, her pink aura darkening as her fangs extended. Yes. This would be a sign she'd waited for. Samson's deep growl vibrated strongly enough to rustle the leaves of a nearby patch of sword fern.

CHAPTER THIRTY

"The news is bleak." Isaiah sat beside me on the metal bench in the garden.

"In what way?"

"Your twin moves with great speed, more determined than ever to attack before Charles is a threat. Mother has already notified all the noble families of an impending attack. First on your household, and then on Faerie itself."

"How should we prepare for this?"

He hesitated. "I've thought of a way."

"Well...?"

"I've brought you a gift, although you may not see it as such. Do with it what you must. I will not stop you, nor will I encourage you in one direction or another. This is your decision." He took my hand. "Think on it carefully before you speak to your allies, or even your mate. They will push you toward
their
desired ends, regardless of the long term outcome."

"You're scaring me."

He nodded solemnly, which only made me worry more. "I've thought long and hard on what to do with this information and am confident that I have made the correct decision. You may decide not to use it or speak of it to anyone. There will be consequences either way, some more horrific than others. None of them easy to bear." Troubled, he let go of my hand and looked away.

"Tell me."

He nudged at my mental wall and I allowed him in, surprised that he'd been polite enough to ask.
"Bridgett's summoning name is..."

After he spoke the name, I asked, my voice a weak whisper,
"How?"

"I discovered it when I found yours. The records were destroyed and I have not shared it with anyone."

"Why do you want me to have it?"
I could guess, but I wanted to hear it from him.

"Under the influence of my mother, Bridgett has become toxic to our realm. What you saw was only the surface of what she will eventually become under Mother's ministrations. I wish to see her gone, but do not feel I have the right to dispose of her personally. Nor am I ready to take the risk of being found out by Mother. You and I are the only ones who know the name. If you bring her here, no one will bring her back."

"But she can get herself back, right?"

"No. She has not learned that skill."

I stood up and started to pace.
"You want me to kill her?"

"I told you, I will not push you toward any action. You may decide never to summon her at all."

"I don't want this...it's...I can't..."

"Jacqueline. There are many options available to you. Think on it."

"If I summon her, Caelen will want her to face fae justice."

"Yes."

"Turning her over to him would be the same thing as killing her myself. Except more cowardly."
I sat on the edge of the fountain and clutched at the stone, trying to think of a way some good could come from this "gift".
"I could heal her."

"You could try."

"You're not helping."
I snapped.

"I explained."

"Yeah, I heard. You dropped a bomb in my lap and expect me to disarm it. Thanks a bunch."

"My pleasure."
It was meant to tease, but he only succeeded in sounding guilty.

I lifted my chin in defiance
. "I could leave her in the DR and do nothing."

"Yes. And she'll raise Mother's army and come after your son."

"Grandmother will raise her army with or without Bridgett."

"True, but she's more patient. Charlie will be a full grown male, confident in his powers when the time comes. Bridgett is pushing for an attack within the next two years."

"Why does she hate my son?"
I was pacing again.

"She does not hate the child. She hates the queen and the fae who did nothing to stop her. To Bridgett, Caelen and the others failed to protect her mate. She has lost too much and has slipped into madness. She believes that Charlie will side with Cascade."

"Garrett will want to kill her for me, to spare me."

"Yes."

"I can't let him do that. I have to be the one to kill her."

"You burden yourself with too much."

I stood still and met his eyes.
"In a one-on-one battle, am I strong enough to take her?"

"Yes. Your cheetah and demon now work together. She will only be able to draw on one aspect of her magical nature. You now draw on two. And  your main strength is your ability to fight without fear, distancing yourself from your pain and your emotions at the critical moment."

"Good...good
." My knees started to give out so I sat down again, this time on the metal bench. "I don't want to kill her." I whispered out loud, my throat raw. "We haven't had a chance to know each other. She's my only..."

"There you are." Charlie ran over. "Farrell and I were looking for you. Daddy's gonna be up soon and he said yesterday that we could take Samson to the beach for a walk today. He likes to chase the seagulls. I don't think the seagulls like it too much."

I hugged my son a little bit harder than usual. Charlie wiggled out of my grasp and scowled at me. "Why do you smell like Isaiah?"

"He's here...he's..." But no one was there. Isaiah had dropped his bomb and left.  "He came for a few minutes. I guess he's gone back."

"Are you well?" Farrell asked.

I plastered on a smile. "I'm great." I looked at my eager child, excited about today's adventure. Bridgett would take him from me before he had a chance at life. "Could you please do me a favor. Farrell? Could you take Charlie to Faerie? Have Noriene or Aislin bring him back after dinner." Farrell said nothing, but his gaze grew more intent. "Please."

Farrell frowned. "I will ask Liam to return."

"No."

"I will not leave you unguarded."

"Sinlae and her males can protect me, and Samson's here. You know that I can get Garrett up with just a nudge.

Farrell shook his head. "I've contacted Aislin." I rolled my eyes. There were few races more stubborn than the fae. She appeared a moment later. "Please take Charlie to Faerie." His tone was clipped. She nodded  and took my son's hand without question. Although he was one of the youngest fae, Farrell was pulling rank.

"Wait...Mommy, why can't we go to the beach?"

"Tomorrow, I promise. Today you get to play with Linn."

"Okay..." He looked unsure as he and Aislin disappeared. I glanced down at the bench and smiled. Isaiah had left me another little gift. I stood and picked up the blade, attaching the sheath to the waistband of my jeans.

"What's happening, Jacqueline?" Farrell snapped, having seen the blade.

"I'll only tell you if you swear not to tell anyone else."

"I can't agree to that."

"Then please leave."

"If I leave and you're injured, my life is forfeit."

"What? That's ridiculous. You swore to protect Charlie."

"Liam worded the oath to include you. He feels that your sometimes impulsive and emotional decisions lead you into danger." His expression was stern.  "I will not be leaving, so you may as well explain."

"Will you swear not to stop me?"

He hesitated. "It depends on what you're doing."

"I'm summoning my sister."

He tilted his head in thought. "Lord Caelen will want..."

"I know what Lord Caelen will want and what Garrett will want and everyone else. This is my sister and I'm going to deal with her personally." I drew myself up and met his gaze with as much attitude and confidence as I could dredge up."Will you stand by me as you've sworn, or not?"

With a shake of his head and a smile, Farrell drew his sword, looking very much the knight Charlie imagined him to be."I stand with you, Jacqueline." Samson ran over barking in agreement. Looks like I had two warriors at my back.

"Thank you. Now get out of my way. I'm almost out of time."

Using salt and blood, fire and ritual words , I created a double circle, slightly more secure than a single. I made sure of my spell, then called Bridgett to the center using her summoning name.

She appeared a few moments later looking pissed. Big surprise.

"What the hell do you want?"

"I want you to swear a blood oath that on pain of instant death you will not help Grandmother raise the army she plans to use against the fae and my son. You will also swear never to do anything to cause harm to my son, my mate, Isaiah, or any seelie fae. Also the team, the nest or any other innocent."

She laughed at me and it wasn't a pretty sound. "If I swore to that, Grandmother would have no use for me. I'd be tossed to her generals and they do so like to play with their food. Send me back before Granny gets pissed off and comes after you personally."

"You refuse?"

"Yeah. I'm taking those fae down in flames."

"And Charlie?"

"Hey, I told you. As long as you're neutral, I'll leave you out of it. That includes Charlie and even Garrett if he scrubs his alliance."

"Charlie is half fae."

"We all have our disabilities." Her smirk made me queasy. Her hatred of the fae was irrational.

I took a deep, calming breath, still hoping to find a way to bring her over to my side, even though right now I was angry enough to rip off her freakin' head. "When I went into labor, you left me to bleed out on the ground. You didn't tell anyone that I needed help and you certainly didn't offer me yours."

"I knew your fae pals would find you. And if the mongrel died..." She shrugged.

There was nothing left of my sister Bridgett in this creature. She'd been stripped of her cheetah and brainwashed. "I need to be clear. You'll kill my son."

"I'll kill all of you if you side with the shits who killed my mom and dad and Will."

"I stopped Liam from executing you. I saved your life."

"Bet you're kickin' yourself now, huh?" She laughed at me as my stomach clenched into a knot.

There was one more thing to do. "Let Will go."

"He wants to be with me. He's happier than ever." Her eyes flared orange, but she knew I could see the lie in the fluctuation of her aura.

"Can I talk to him?"

"Why would I let you do that?"

"I'm curious. I can only hold onto Marie in solid form for a few minutes. I'd like to see it for myself."

Her ego betrayed her. "Fine, but then I'm going back." I didn't respond, keeping my secret for now.

Will appeared beside me. "Jacqueline." I took his hand. It was colder than before.

"Are you in pain?" He turned away. That was all the answer I needed.

Bridgett, seeing him next to me, pushed against the hot barrier. "Let me out of here." The truth hit her like an acme safe in the desert. "You were that slutty wolf with Isaiah. I knew there was something off about you."

I looked into Will's eyes. "Are you bound to one of them?"

"They keep me in this form with a blood spell, but I'm not their familiar. I'm not bound to them."

"I'll help you when this is over." He nodded, then moved toward the tree line, probably not wanting to watch.

"Let me out of here so I can kick your ass," Bridgett shouted.

Garrett appeared, clutching at my shoulders and pulling me aside. "How is Bridgett here?