The Promised One (The Turning Stone Chronicles) (7 page)

Chapter 10

It hadn’t been easy finding an excuse to get away from Rhys, but a lie about going to the gynecologist did the trick. Rhys had first insisted on coming into the office, but when she mentioned Dr. Anthony LaSurla giving her a pap exam, he blushed a fine shade of red and decided to wait for her in the parking lot. She slipped out the back door and hailed a cab.

Did all men react that way when women said gynecologist? Or was he having problems thinking about another man checking her out? Just thinking about his jealous reaction kept a smile on her face.

The taxi drove into the Dew Drop Inn parking lot. Alexi paid the driver and got out. Cars filled the lot. Silently, she cursed her bad luck. All those auras intermingling would make it difficult to find Sylvia. Perhaps she should watch for an aura with a green cast to it. That’s what Baron’s and her auras looked like. Of course, if she could get close enough to Sylvia, she might be able to catch sight of her ring or sense her presence. Slinging her purse strap over her shoulder, Alexi headed for the entrance.

She stood inside the foyer letting her vision adjust to the dimly lit bar. As she scanned the room, she focused on the spaces around the people to see their auras more easily. The air shimmered with color, like prisms reflected through crystal. She saw some darkened colors, like the auras that surrounded the criminal element she came across in her job. Ignoring them, she moved deeper into the room scanning each woman’s aura. In the back corner, she saw a woman with a swirled red and green aura. Streaks of light and dark curled around the colors.

No one else displayed such intense red and green coloring. She’d found Sylvia. Casually, she glanced away, hoping she had shown no sign of recognition that might allow Sylvia to realize she was using her aura-reading power.

Walking close to each woman she passed, Alexi glanced at their hands as if admiring their jewelry. She’d pretend she found Sylvia by looking for the Turning Stone ring. The woman Alexi suspected to be Sylvia dropped her hands beneath the tabletop.

Moving toward her, Alexi held out her right hand, the one without the bloodstone ring. “You must be Sylvia. I’m Alexi Jordan.”

The woman ignored Alexi’s hand. “So you do have the power.”

She is trying to discover if I can see auras. Why would she want to know that?
“Power?” Alexi asked innocently. “No. You dropped your hands under the table and I assumed, since no other woman wore the ring, that you were hiding something from me. The only power I used was deductive reasoning.”
And I could sense you even better if you would touch me.

Sylvia laughed, that same soft, tinkling laugh Alexi had heard on the phone.
I’ve found her. No doubt about it now.

“Sit,” Sylvia said as she waved at a waiter. “What will you have to drink? Martini? Beer?”

“It’s too early for me.”

Sylvia arched a perfect black brow at her. “I hope you don’t mind if I imbibe.”

“No problem.”
Drink your raven-haired head off, for all I care. It might give me an advantage.

The waiter appeared. “Club soda on the rocks,” Sylvia said, smiling at the waiter. There was no doubt the dazzling smile was meant to charm. The waiter reacted appropriately, his chin nearly on the table, drooling, undoubtedly, at Sylvia’s dark, exotic, Oriental beauty.

Startled at his reaction, Alexi forced a smile, one not nearly as seductive as Sylvia’s. “I’ll take a diet,” she told the waiter.

“I’m sorry, miss. What did you say?” the waiter asked as he tore his gaze from Sylvia.

“Diet. Soda.” She carefully separated the words hoping they would get through to his fogged brain if she kept them curt.

When the waiter left, Sylvia handed a menu to Alexi. “Shall we order now?”

Alexi laid the menu on the table and then removed a small envelope out of her purse. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather get down to business.” She slid the envelope across the table. “Tell me about these.”

Sylvia opened the envelope and laid three photographs on the table. When she saw them, tears brimmed in her eyes. “He kept these?”

“After a fashion.”

Sylvia frowned, apparently not getting Alexi’s meaning.

“I found them in his safe. He’d removed them from the photo album and scratched out your name.”

Sylvia shrugged. “I expected worse. Just taking me out of your family’s life, but perhaps not out of his memory, is more than I hoped for. He could have burned them.”

Alexi wondered why he hadn’t. Something must have kept him from committing such a final act. “What happened between you two?”

“Why does it matter to you?”

“Baron was very secretive about his past. Now that he’s gone, I have a need to know everything about him.”

The waiter put her drink on the table. Alexi absently swirled the straw in the dark liquid, watching the ice circle in the glass.

“You cared a lot for him, didn’t you?”

Sylvia’s statement drew her attention back to the woman across the table.
What a stupid question. Of course I cared for him.
She tempered her verbal response. “He was my uncle. He practically raised me after . . .”

Sylvia nodded sympathetically. “I’m sorry about your parents and brother.”

“Did you know them? Were you and Baron together when it happened?”

“No. We’d broken up by then. Your parents were fine people and great assets to the Society, and your brother was becoming a very skilled shifter. He would have been a great benefit, too.”

Alexi propped her elbows on the table and inched forward, her suspicion of Sylvia lost in her desire for family. “Tell me everything you know about them. Please.”

“It could take a while.”

Alexi glanced at her watch. “I’ve got two hours.” If she didn’t come out of the medical building by the time she’d promised, Rhys would come searching for her at Dr. LaSurla’s office.

“If I tell you about them, will you tell me about Baron’s death?”

Alexi sat back in her chair. Could she strike a deal with someone she didn’t know? Someone Baron had crossed out of his life? She’d always trusted her uncle’s judgment. “Tell me why you and Baron broke off.”

“You aren’t a very trusting person, are you?”

“It’s the cop in me,” Alexi said with a shrug. “Besides, why should I trust you? You’ve told me nothing. All you’ve wanted to do is strike bargains.”

“So what do you want to know? I work for Homeland Security. I hold the highest security clearance this country gives. That trumps anything you’ve got.”

“So it’s a contest now?”

“That’s not what I meant. If the President of the United States trusts me explicitly, why can’t you?”

“Does he know you’re a member of a secret society? Or a shape shifter? That might put a different spin on things.”

“Does your boss, or your partner, know you can shift?” Sylvia shot back at her without missing a beat.

“Okay, so we’re even on the secrets-on-the-job level.”

“So what else do you want to know?”

“Why did you and Baron split?” If Sylvia couldn’t answer the most basic questions she couldn’t trust her.

“We wanted different things. Is that such a crime? Haven’t you ever been involved with someone who wanted what you didn’t?”

“All the time. But it’s different for me. I’m a shifter. I will never find someone who can go along with my lifestyle. You and Baron were alike. Why did you throw away an opportunity like that?”

Sylvia relaxed into the back of her chair and chuckled, her mouth drawn into arrogant smile. “Now I get it. This isn’t about Baron and me. It’s really about you and your missing love life.”

Alexi shoved her drink into the center of the table and snatched the photos. “This conversation is over. You don’t know anything about me, yet you have the gall to make suppositions about my life.”

“I’m a profiler. It’s my job to figure people out. I can read you so easily, so get over it.”

Alexi dropped the photos into her purse. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears so loud it nearly drowned out the music in the bar. “I think I know why Baron broke up with you. You’re an obnoxious woman.” She stood to leave, and Sylvia seized her arm.

A shot of electricity bolted through Alexi and set her skin tingling. She glanced down at the hand gripping her arm. The colors in the stone of Sylvia’s magic ring swirled.

“Sit down, Alexi,” Sylvia said sharply.

When Alexi didn’t move, Sylvia tightened her grip. A distinct image of a wounded bird trapped by a cat flashed through Alexi’s mind. She shook off Sylvia’s hold.

Sylvia’s black eyes smoldered and her mouth drew into a straight line. “We’re not finished.” She slipped her wallet out of her purse, pulled a picture from it, and slapped it on the table. “This is why Baron and I broke up.”

Alexi picked up the picture. A young Sylvia, in a wedding dress, and Baron in a tuxedo stared back at her. Alexi flipped the photo over and discovered her mother’s neat handwriting on the back. “This is the missing picture. But if you were married, then why—”

“It was a secret marriage. I told you the Council disapproved. When they found out we were married, they insisted Baron get an annulment. They threatened to relieve him of his council duties. He didn’t want to lose his council seat or the respect that came with it. He chose the Society over me.”

Stunned, Alexi sat. That didn’t sound like the Baron she knew. He’d sacrificed everything to protect her life. Had he walked away from his marriage to Sylvia to protect her, too? Had she misunderstood his reason for leaving?

“I’m sorry,” Alexi said quietly. “That must have been very painful.”

“I hope now you can understand why I want to know how he died. Did he mention me?”

“I don’t know. He was murdered in what we believe to be a mugging.”

“And his ring?”

“Gone. I don’t know who has it.”

Sylvia leaned forward, her voice urgent. “It’s imperative you get that ring back, Alexi.”

“I know, but I don’t know where to start.”

“Let me help. I have connections.”

Alexi hesitated. Having another shifter to work with would make things much easier. She missed Baron’s council. He’d loved Sylvia—she knew that now—but not more than his life’s work. She understood that. She felt the same way about Rhys and her job.

“Let me help, please. I want to catch the person who killed the man I love.”

The man she loves. Not loved. If she still cares for Baron, can I trust her? Will that make her motives purer?
She laid her left hand over Sylvia’s. The colors in Alexi’s bloodstone ring swirled, and another power surge raced through her arm.

“Okay. You can help me find Baron’s killer. But when we do, legal justice will take over, not revenge.”

Sylvia nodded. “Agreed.”

Alexi hoped they both could keep that promise when the time came.

Chapter 11

Rhys glanced at his watch. Alexi was running out of time. Five women, who’d gone into the building after Alexi, had already come out. Would he have to go into that hormone-filled office and track her down?

His mind raced with attack scenarios. Someone had followed her into the exam room. A hit man had killed the doctor and cancelled all the appointments, except Alexi’s.

He snapped off the radio, rolled up the windows, and opened the truck door.
I should have gone with her. Not being where I can keep an eye on her makes me nervous as a rookie on his first stakeout.
He slammed the door as Alexi exited the building.

Rhys rushed across the parking lot, grabbed her arm, and held her close. “What took so long?”

Alexi batted her eyelashes at him. “Do you want a blow-by-blow description? Or shall I just hit the highlights?”

Rhys glared at her and tapped his watch. “Time’s up.”

She checked her watch. “I’ve got three minutes and twenty seconds left.”

“Five women came out in less than an hour.”

“They probably had another doctor. It’s a multiple doctor office. My OB-GYN is popular. You wait hours in his office.

Rhys opened the passenger door for Alexi. “Last time you’re out of my sight. Where you go, I go.”

Alexi spun around, nearly knocking Rhys over. “Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t follow me everywhere.”

“Watch me.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I can’t protect you if I can’t be with you. I’m sticking to you like a slime on a frog.”

“Over my dead body.” She got in the truck and banged the door shut.

Rhys’ sticky attitude could cause big problems. She had to meet Sylvia again. No way would she let Rhys come along. Could she find another excuse? Probably not one that worked as well as the OB-GYN.

Rhys’ cell phone rang as he opened the driver’s door. He flipped it open and dropped onto the seat. “Temple. Captain Williams. What’s up?”

What did the captain want? Maybe there was news about Baron.
She tilted to the left so she could hear.

“Is Jordan there?” Captain Williams asked.

Alexi took the phone from Rhys. “I’m here. Do you have some news about my uncle?”

“Put me on speaker.”

Alexi punched the speaker button and held the phone between her and Rhys.

“We checked out the fellows from Baron’s PI papers. They have alibis.”

Rhys cursed under his breath.

Alexi’s stomach rotated like a Ferris wheel. Rhys had pinned his hopes on those men and had nearly convinced her, too. They were back to square one.

“Something weird has developed, though.”

Great, just what I need. More weird.

“There’s been another mugging, but this time the victim got a good look at the perp.” The captain paused. “I think you should come in and review the composite drawing he gave us.”

“Be there in twenty.” Rhys closed the cell phone. “Sorry, Lexi.”

“Me, too. Pinning it on them would have freed you to go back to the job.”

Rhys’ head snapped toward her. “Is my presence that offensive?”

“Not your presence as much as your overbearing, overprotective, macho attitude. I need space, Rhys. Your bodyguard behavior, albeit heartwarming and sweet . . .”
Because it lets me know you care.
“. . . is killing me.”

The minute she said the words she wished them back. Rhys’ face clouded over and his jaw tightened. “Don’t get me wrong,” she continued. “Under normal circumstances, I’d love hanging out with you, but—”

“These aren’t normal circumstances. I will protect you even if it kills the both of us.”

“It just might, if I don’t kill you first,” she retorted.

The inflexible lines of his face told Alexi he was determined to play hero. Just as determined as she was on slipping away. If she couldn’t get around him, their struggle might kill more than she intended. Could she live with that?

The tension in the truck hung thick as a coastal fog. Rhys sneaked a glance at Alexi when they stopped at a red light. She sat ramrod stiff, facing the window, her long ebony hair draped over her shoulder and down her left breast. Desire for her flared in him.

He wanted to hold her in his arms and comfort her. Instead, everything he’d done caused her to move away from him. Women usually fell at his feet. But not Alexi. Not from the beginning and certainly not now.

The minute he set eyes on her, he’d wanted her. Not just physically, but on a deeper level. That scared him. Exhilarated him. Caused him to act like a stubborn ass.

Why shouldn’t he keep her safe? A man should want to keep the woman he loved safe. He redirected his attention to the street and punched the gas pedal down farther than he intended. The truck lurched forward. He just admitted he loved her. How the hell?

They rode all the way to the precinct in silence. Rhys parked, and Alexi jumped out before he could cut off the ignition. He thrust the gear into park.

“You could have waited,” he said when he caught up to her.

Alexi tossed him a pissed-off glare and lengthened her stride.

Rhys matched her pace and opened the entrance door before she could. She waved him ahead of her.

He arched a questioning eyebrow at her.
So it’s like that?

She stood her ground and waved him in again.

“Damn,” Rhys said as he went through the door, “you’re a pain in the ass, Lexi.”

“Takes one to know one.”

He nearly choked as he stuffed his laughter down at her juvenile comeback. He grinned, his mood lightened. “I suppose.”

Alexi’s mouth straightened into a thin line Rhys recognized as her attempt to stifle a smile. He loved that about her—she couldn’t stay angry at him. He held the next door open and Alexi waltzed through it.

Captain Williams motioned Alexi and Rhys toward the two chairs opposite his desk and slid a folder across the worn top. “This drawing might be a bit of a shock, but I need your input.”

Alexi opened the folder and gasped. Her uncle’s face stared back at her from the paper. “Baron,” she said, the word barely audible.

Rhys pointed at the drawing. “That the mugger?”

Captain Williams tipped his chair back and scrubbed at his forehead. “Doesn’t make sense, does it?”

“Are we sure this is the man?” Alexi asked. “Could the victim be mistaken?”

“Not likely. The guy claims to have a photographic memory. He insists this is the man who mugged him.”

“Maybe it’s a mask that resembles Baron,” Rhys suggested.

Captain Williams shook his head. “I already asked. There was no mask.”

“He’s dead,” Rhys said. “How?”

You don’t want to know.
He’s figured out how to use the ring, mimic shifting into Baron.
She needed back on the inside, and quick. “I think, since we’re going to be chasing my dead uncle, I should forget about bereavement leave.”

“No,” Rhys and Captain Williams said in unison.

“I can’t risk your emotions getting in the way of an investigation,” the captain said. “You just lost your uncle and now his double is out there mugging people. How would you handle it if you came upon
Baron
mid-crime? Could you shoot your uncle? That could screw with your mind. Make you deal with some heavy psychological stuff, Jordan. I’m not putting you in that situation.”

“But—”

“No buts. Take her home, Temple. I got what I needed.”

Rhys gently grasped Alexi’s arm and helped her stand. “Let’s go, Lexi.”

“Wait,” the captain said. “I forgot to ask. When you ID’d Baron you asked about a ring. Can you describe it?”

Alexi held her left hand out. “Like this.”

“That matches the description the victim gave,” Captain Williams said.

Alexi’s blood pounded in her ears. That confirmed her suspicions. “He was wearing Baron’s ring?”

“Or one just like it.”

One just like it? Could there be two people mimic shifting?
She hadn’t considered the possibility someone other than Baron’s killer could have mugged this latest victim.

Panic threatened to overtake her. In order to find either criminal, she had to shape shift. No way around it, and if Rhys found out, she could lose everything.