rogue shifter 07 - cut off (19 page)

"Um...Wesley. Do you remember that story I told you about the cheetah shapeshifter who is mated to a vampire and is friends with the Faerie Folk?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"That's her." She gave me a feeble wave and a half smile, probably wondering if we were dangerous. Wesley's jaw dropped open, while the girl near my feet giggled, as if her mommy was making up a story.

"So she's been there? Really?"

"If she says she's been there, she's been there."

"Cool. Can I take her picture with your phone?"

I called out, "Sorry, not today, Wesley. Nice kids," I told the mom as I waved then took off again, running closer to the water this time, hoping to avoid any other contact. The last thing I needed was some kind of weird picture going up on a social media site. With Farrell in the picture, we could go viral.

Our small group rounded a natural bend in the beach where boulders formed a barrier, giving us some privacy. I found one large enough for the two of us to sit on and then scrambled up, leaving Samson on guard duty below. His version of guard duty was chasing sea gulls and waves and horseshoe crabs and anything else that moved.

I grinned at Farrell. "Don't say it," he grumbled, folding his legs into a pretzel shape.

"Gee. You're kinda grumpy for a member of the Faerie Folk."

He chuckled. "I must admit, I've never heard that one before."

"It's got a ring to it."

"Are you thinking of composing a song?"

"Maybe a poem. The legend of Farrell of the Faerie Folk. It would tell the tale of a young male who did great deeds, conquering the Demonic Dudes and the Vampiric Vixens and the..."

"Yeah. Ha, ha. Knock yourself out. At least I don't live in a hole."

"I think your sister, Kellie, would be particularly interested in the tale."

"I would imagine so, since she's also one of the Faerie Folk."

"True. The expression doesn't seem to fit Lord Caelen, however."

"Or Aedus." He'd lowered his voice and scowled in an exact imitation. We both cracked up.

"Aedus has been a good friend." I pointed out between chuckles.

"When he isn't polishing his sword or trying on his crown." I smacked Farrell's shoulder. "Ow." He pretended to be hurt.

Samson barked, then growled, alerting us to possible trouble. Farrell jumped down, drawing his sword and protecting me as I climbed to the sand behind him. A fae I didn't recognize appeared before us. He was thinner than most fae and his clothing looked worn and uncared for. But what drew my attention immediately was his badly burned face. The healer in me reached out, but Farrell held me back, speaking to the male in Seelie Fae.

"'Tell me you name and your purpose here."

The male ignored Farrell and pulled a small plain box out of his leather satchel. He met my gaze and spoke. "Jacqueline Crawford. Fionna, the Queen of Faerie presents you with a gift. She hopes that it encourages you to retrieve your son from the Demon Realm and bring him to court by sunset this evening. If not, you will receive a new gift tomorrow." He disappeared as quickly as he'd arrived, leaving the box on the sand.

I stepped toward it, but Farrell blocked my progress with this arm, suddenly going all "Fae Guard" on me. "I've called Aedus. He'll decide."

"No he won't. It's meant for me." I tried unsuccessfully to brush past. "It could be something to do with Garrett." I didn't want to think about what could be in that unassuming package, but I had to know.

He held my arm in a vice grip. "We'll wait."

Samson started whining and sniffing the box. I knelt on the sand, still not touching it, my body beginning to shake from the stress. The wind changed. "Oh god, I smell blood. Garrett's blood."

"Yes." Farrell agreed, wincing. He'd placed a hand on my shoulder to keep me from going any closer.

Aedus appeared looking grim. He examined the outside of the package with a cool efficiency, then said, "I sense no poison nor other danger buried within. If the queen's goal is to have Charlie at court, it would defy logic to harm you." He put a hand on my other shoulder and lowered his voice. "We'll look at it together at your home."

Back at the house, I was grateful that I'd decided to sit before I opened my
gift.

The finger had been placed in a small jar full of his blood, the kind of jar someone uses to store homemade jams or preserves. Strangely, I found this almost as horrible as what it contained, using something so innocent in such a dark way.

I pleaded with my two friends, hoping for their reassurance. "We don't know that it's his. I mean we know it's his blood, but the finger could be anyone's."

"It's his." Aedus was his usual calm self, showing little emotion.

I was infuriated by his coldness. Garrett was his friend. "How...how can you...why aren't you angry? He's been...been mutilated." I stood and moved closer, but his expression stayed frozen.

Enraged, I hit him, slamming my fists into his chest, trying to get him to react, to do something, but he remained perfectly still, his arms hanging loosely by his sides. "Why aren't we there, now, bringing him home?" He reached out to draw me in, but I stepped back, unwilling to be comforted.

"Don't touch me!" Samson whined and crawled into his doggie bed in the corner. Some help he was. "I don't need a hug. I need a fucking fae to take me to court. We need to go now. Right now." I slapped him in the chest with both hands, hoping to get him moving. "He needs to feed. Look at all the blood he's lost. Take me there. I have to go. We have to help him."

I was shaking, my nerves strung so tight, I knew that when the adrenalin rush ended my legs wouldn't hold me up. Farrell came up behind me and rested his hands gently on my shoulders.

"Leave her." Aedus' command left no room for argument. Farrell stepped back.

Crap just kept spewing out of my mouth, unchecked. "This is your family's fault. Fionna shouldn't have been allowed to rule."

When I hauled back to hit him again Aedus grabbed my wrists. "Jacqueline, I will get him back safely or I will die in the attempt."

I jerked away from him as hard as I could.  He released me but remained close, his expression wary. My voice rose in volume. "That's a fucking ridiculous thing to say, Aedus. 'Die in the attempt'...pfft. You may be a big shot fae warrior, but you have Philly and Linn to think about. You can't make statements like that anymore. They need you as much as I need Garrett. And Garrett doesn't need your proclamations of loyalty. He needs you to help get him home."

His eyes had widened in shock. Turning away, I began to pace. I wasn't making any friends here, but shit, I wasn't going to sit around drinking coke while Fionna, Bitch Queen of the Faerie Folk, carved up my mate.

"You fae strike your bargains and think everything is fine," I rambled on. "Everyone in Faerie is honorable, right, so why worry? Then the shit hits the fan and you work on the problem at a leisurely pace. I mean, hey, you've got five thousand years to mess around with. Well, Garrett's only got eleven pints of blood and nine more fingers, so you'd better get your asses in gear 'cause I'm going to find a way to go there tonight at sunset, with or without you."

Because I was too shaky to stand any longer, I lowered myself quickly and crossed my arms for emphasis. Unfortunately, the chair I was aiming for was at an odd angle and I ended up sprawled on the floor in an undignified position. Farrell moved to help me up, but I refused his help, managing to pull myself into the chair without too much effort. Feeling my face heat up, I lifted my chin and scowled at the two males who'd taken my verbal tirade and even my physical attack with more class and understanding than I deserved. They hadn't even laughed when I fell.

I looked at their concerned faces and groaned, burying my head in my hands. "I'm sorry," I mumbled. "That was awful. I take it all back. Except the part about going tonight. Don't hate me."

They sat on either side of me, each of them taking a hand. Aedus lifted my chin so I'd meet his gaze. "You defended your mate in a spectacular fashion. Except for the falling on your ass part, you were magnificent."

I choked on a laugh, then a sob, then the guys started laughing, which at least got me to smile.

"You're going to have a bruise," Farrell teased.

"No kidding." I rubbed my rear end. "Good thing I'm a healer."

Aedus attempted to look at me sternly. "I was tempted to send you out in the garden to dig a hole, but..."

"Some kid on the beach already dug it," Farrell chuckled.

I pouted, then crossed my arms. "I wasn't kidding. I'm going tonight."

"
We're
going tonight. My father and I, Farrell, the sisters, and you. We're getting him back. Brina and I have an idea that could work."

"Please tell me."

In the quiet of the late morning, Aedus described the plan.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Reylan arrived mere seconds after my summons went out.

"You've done well, captain." He nodded, the glint of pride evident in his gaze. Last night, the look of yearning he'd cast in Elle's direction had opened my eyes to his situation. I'd decided to restore some of his access to magic as a reward for his excellent service. If the queen complained, I would deal with her in the usual way.

His eyes widened in shock as I released Fionna's block on his magic. "A gift for your service and for your loyalty over many years, Reylan." The scars disappeared first, then his figure transformed, gaining muscle tone and strength. Unfortunately, emotional pain could not be blotted out so easily and I was not a healer. Time would do its work toward that end, or like me, he would cling to his internal scars, finding relief in the pain of others.

Because I had access to his mind, I felt his gratitude before he spoke of it. "Thank you. lor...thank you, Kennet." I arched an eyebrow at his choice, allowing it this once in lieu of our long acquaintance. His voice had cracked with emotion, his breathing quickening as his hands rose to his face, tracing paths across his smooth, perfect skin. Neither Reylan nor I were the sort to smile easily, however the grin that painted his features brought a smile to mine.

I cleared my throat and he straightened. "I have more work for you. Break your fast, then search for four strong assistants. If their loyalty to me surpasses their loyalty to Fionna, I will partially restore their magic as I have yours." I had not allowed Reylan to block access to his mind, nor would I allow anyone that privilege, even when I became their king.

"I know the very males."

"Excellent. You'll need to locate chains of the strongest iron. Perhaps the dwarves would be helpful. Return at mid-day and bring your associates." He nodded. "One more thing, captain. Word of your renewal must not be discussed. Hide your recovery and be discreet with your magic until the time is right."

"Yes, lord." He bowed and left.

I stretched out on the bed that I would soon share with my lady, hoping to relieve my discomfort. I'd tried to heal my knees and had succeeded only to a small degree. Isaiah's magic had wormed its way into my cells causing spasms that pained me when I stood for more than a short span of time. I closed my eyes, having passed a fitful night.

This morning I dreamt of Jacqueline, taking her mouth and her body with mine, then of entering the throne room and seating myself in father's throne, placing her beside me. When I woke, Fionna was in the room.

"Sister, you might choose to knock. I'm not at my best when I rest."

She ignored my comment. "You've taken the finger, yet the vampire has not agreed to send for Charles." Her eyes flashed with gold, the glowing amethyst gown whipping from side to side as she shifted direction.

"I know this, my queen. However, I am also certain that Jacqueline will bring my son no matter what the vampire believes. Her so-called mate is suffering and she will not be able to resist."

"You know her so well?"

"I do."

"Will she come tonight?" Fionna asked, hope flaring in her eyes.

"I believe she will, along with Caelen, Aedus and perhaps the sisters." I was growing tired of this constant game of between us. Pats on the back did not come naturally to me.

"Both sisters?"

I turned away so she wouldn't see my smirk. "That situation will be remedied shortly."

Fionna smiled as she touched my shoulder to turn me back around. My breath caught in my throat as I took in her beauty. Only her mother, the former queen, was ever this lovely. Fionna could rule the universe if she'd been blessed with the mind to match. "You will be rewarded, Kennet. What do you want?" she asked with sincerity. I was touched.

"I want only what I have earned. I will keep the cheetah as my own and we will raise our son together here at court. She will bind with me before all of our people."

"Bind? You cannot be serious." She stared at me open-mouthed, aghast that I would lower myself so. "Without fae blood, she is not even of mongrel status. Keep her as your lover, but I will not agree to anything more."

"You will allow me this, Fionna, and I will ask for nothing else." It took only a breath of time before I was in her mind. "
You will treat her and Charles as full-bloods and order every other fae to do the same, on pain of death
." This was not the first time I'd used magical Influence on Fionna, but it was perhaps the most important. She must not put a stop to my plans.

I'd been strengthening my shields in the eventuality that I might one day displease her enough to attack me. My older sister was born of the powerful union between the former king and queen. She and her twin brother, Caelen, were thought to be the most powerful creatures in Faerie. However, my specific gift allowed me to slip in unnoticed. It was not something I could use to control an army, but if needed, a mongrel could be convinced to slip poison into a monarch's wine, or a soldier to slit a lord's throat without those action ever being traced back to me.

Having felt my magic, Fionna's expression seemed puzzled. "On pain of death," she repeated. "Yes." She smiled, looking as lovely as ever. "I will do this for you, brother. You are one of the few I can trust. With Jacqueline by your side, you will finally find happiness."