TherianPromise (9 page)

“Start at the beginning. When did Kyle catch up to you and
how did you end up on Frying Pan Road in a stolen Jeep?”

Kyle obviously trusted this man, but she wasn’t sure she
trusted Kyle. “Do you have a phone? I’d like to call my sister. Kyle said she’s
staying at a cat sanctuary with a man named Quinn.”

He chuckled and shifted his gaze back to the road. “I guess
I’d be suspicious too. What did Kyle do with his phone? It was disposable, hard
to trace.”

“It must be on the floor of the Jeep. His transformation
sort of eclipsed everything else.”

“I’ll bet.” He was silent for a moment, apparently lost in
thought.

Ava fidgeted. His questions had been straightforward and
understandable, but they made her feel defensive. She hadn’t asked Kyle to heal
her, certainly hadn’t wanted him following her. She hadn’t asked for any of
this.

Staring out the window, she tried to imagine what it would
be like to have friends who cared enough to come and rescue her. One phone call
from Kyle and Jake stopped what he was doing and dragged two of “his men” along
for the ride. Carissa loved her unconditionally, but Ava hadn’t realized how
isolated they were until the past caught up to their present.

“Kyle’s not a healer. Was he able to fix whatever was wrong
or should I arrange for someone else to take a look at you?” His tone was
gentler now, less accusatory.

She pictured one of the fierce-eyed Therian men touching
her, his fingers running over her bare skin and shivered. “I’m fine. We need to
focus on Kyle.” The corner of Jake’s mouth quirked and she realized she’d
included herself in Kyle’s treatment. Kyle had stabilized her ribs and taken
away her pain. It was only natural that she’d want to repay his kindness.

That was your justification for making out with him too
,
her conscience reminded. She’d kissed him and touched him, mesmerized by the
texture of his flesh. If the mercenaries hadn’t interrupted, how much further
would it have gone? Would she have thrown caution to the wind and wiggled out
of her jeans so he could screw her right there on the clothes-covered rock? How
romantic.

It hadn’t been romantic. It had been wild and savage and
hot.

“You better think about something else.” Jake’s tone was
deep yet tinged with amusement. “If you walk into Toulouse Tavern smelling like
sex, every man in the place will think it’s an invitation.”

She tensed, mortified by the implication. Could he actually
smell her arousal? Either he could or he could read her mind, which would be
even more humiliating. She needed a distraction fast. “Toulouse Tavern? Is that
your bar?”

“Yes.”

Oh that was helpful. He could grill her with questions, but
all he gave in return was yes and no answers? “Who is Toulouse?”

His gaze gleamed through the dimness as he glanced her way.
“It’s my sister’s idea of irony. Toulouse Tavern sounds upscale and classy, but
she pulled the name from an animated flick called
The
Aristocrats
.”

“I love that movie! Wasn’t Toulouse the feisty orange kitten
who was always getting into trouble?”

“That’s him. Regular little wannabe badass.”

She smiled as scenes from the move scrolled through her
mind. Such innocent amusements belonged to another lifetime, another Ava.

Glancing out the window, she spotted a road sign. They were
headed south on CO 82, which would take them into the heart of Aspen. She
looked at Kyle and her heart lurched. He’d rolled to his side and his eyes were
closed, tongue visible between his pointed teeth. Was he resting or
unconscious? “I didn’t mean to hurt him. If I’d known this would happen, I
wouldn’t have let him touch me.”

“Kyle doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to do. No one is
blaming you for this.”

But she was blaming herself. “Is there someone at your bar
who can feed him?”

“Enya, my sister. She hates doing it, but I’m pretty sure
she’ll make an exception for Kyle.”

She refused to identify the odd tightening in her chest. It
was impossible that she might be jealous. She’d only known Kyle for a matter of
hours.
And he saved your life twice
. She shoved the fact to the back of
her mind, annoyed once again by her conscience.

“What’s your connection with Kyle?” she asked Jake.

“Different clan, same network.” He looked at her and asked,
“Do you know what that means? How much has Kyle told you?”

“We’re all part of the Therian nation. If you’re part of his
network, you’re a feline shifter, but you turn into something other than a
cougar.”

“That’s the gist of it. I belong to the largest clan of tiger-shifters.
Osric is my uncle, by the way. So that makes us cousins.”

“We’re cousins?” The revelation jarred her for a moment.
Osric wasn’t just a malicious bastard, he could shift into a tiger? Then the
shock passed and she made the connection. Her hands clenched and looked around
for a weapon. “Are you taking me to Osric?”

“God, no. I’m a rebel, just like Kyle. Me and Osric haven’t
been on speaking terms for years and he isn’t allowed anywhere near the bar.”
They’d reached the outskirts of Aspen. He navigated the roundabout and jogged
right on Seventh Street before turning left on Main.

Unsure how she would ever trust anyone with ties to Osric,
she let her mind digress. “Other than Osric, I thought Carissa was my only
living relative. This is really strange.”

“She’s all who’s left on your mother’s side of the family
tree, but the Parlain side still has lots of branches.”

“That’s right. You said you have a sister.” Ava still felt
stunned. The information was so unexpected that she wasn’t sure how to process
it.

“I have three sisters,” he corrected. “Enya’s the oldest.
Well, I’m the oldest child, Enya’s the oldest daughter.”

“Is your entire family part of the rebellion? Are your
parents still alive?”

He turned down an alley and backed into a parking place near
the back door of what she presumed was his bar. The building was tall and
narrow, the walls muffling the music until all that remained was the distinct
bass beat.

“See if you can rouse him.” He pushed open the driver’s door
and swung his long legs to the ground.

She unfastened her seat belt and turned around, kneeling on
the seat so she could reach Kyle. Her hand trembled as she reached for his
triangular head.
Please God, let him still be alive
. His fur was soft
and warm, and he turned into her touch, slowly opening his eyes.

Jake lowered the window then dropped the tailgate. “Can you
move?” Kyle made a low rumbling sound and Jake looked up and down the alley.
“It’s clear.” He turned and pulled open the door to the bar then swept his arm
toward the opening. “Go for it.” Had Jake actually understood that sound or
were Therians telepathic? Kyle paused to nudge her hand then turned in a tight,
rather awkward half-circle and leapt out the back of the SUV. “Want me to grab
your stuff?”

It took her a second to realize Jake had been talking to
her. “I can get it, but thanks.” Jake closed up the back as she gathered the
backpack and Kyle’s jacket. “Oh my God. I forgot his pants.”

“Ron and Steve will go through the Jeep before they abandon
it. They’re very thorough. They’ll find anything you left behind.”

“How are they going to return if they abandon the Jeep and
why did Kyle refer to them as your men?”

“They’ll call for a ride and I’m the highest-placed tiger
among the rebel clan.” The SUV chirped as he locked the doors then motioned her
inside. “You still have a lot to learn about your new world, but let’s make
sure Kyle is recovering before we figure out our next move.”

She hadn’t forgotten about Kyle. She was just trying not to
imagine how Enya would facilitate the energy transfer.

I need to be inside you to fully access your Therian
energy
. Kyle’s words had haunted her ever since she realized another woman
would be feeding him.

Jake led her up a steep, narrow staircase to the top floor
of the three-level building. “Do you live up here?”

“Enya does. My house is a few miles outside town.”

He led her to a bedroom halfway down the hall. A tall
brunette in a black miniskirt and stiletto boots knelt next to Kyle, who was
lying on his side again. “What the hell happened to him?” Her smoky-green gaze
shot from Jake to Ava and back. “It’s like he’s been sucked dry.”

“I’ll explain later. Can you feed him or not?”

“Is she the one everyone’s been searching for?”

Ava didn’t understand the bitterness in the other woman’s
tone, but her resentful scowl was pretty hard to misinterpret.

“Enya, focus,” Jake snapped. “Kyle needs you now. The
details can wait.”

“Then take her downstairs. I won’t work with an audience.”

At Jake’s urging, Ava left the backpack and Kyle’s coat on
the floor and followed him down a different flight of stairs. The music grew
progressively louder with each step they descended. “How did she know we were
coming? Are all Therians telepathic?”

His only reply was a secretive smile.

Ava had expected a claustrophobic dance club with gyrating
bodies and flashy décor. Instead the ground floor spread out to either side of
the main building, creating an open, casual atmosphere. A spacious dance floor
took up most of the center section. Pool tables were off to the right and a
restaurant was situated on the left.

“You own three connecting units in downtown Aspen? Were your
ancestors Tabors or something?” Only a silver baron could afford this sort of
real estate in a resort town.

He flashed another mysterious smile. “My family settled in
the area long before the rich and famous came here to ski.” Motioning toward
the restaurant, he asked, “Are you hungry?” He slipped out of his black leather
jacket and handed it to a passing waitress. “Throw that in my office for me.”

The waitress looked Ava over with a semi-hostile stare
before treating Jake to a flirtatious smile. “Anything for you, Mr. Parlain.”

Mr. Parlain? Did he expect such deference from all his
employees?

He led her to a table in the far corner of the restaurant.
The music was noticeably muted and Ava spotted transparent panels separating
the restaurant from the rest of the bar. A different waitress appeared at the
table before Jake could settle in his chair.

“Just coffee for me, Maggie.” He motioned to Ava. “Bring Ms.
Seymour whatever she wants.”

Ava’s stomach felt tense and empty, but nothing sounded
appetizing. Worry for Kyle overshadowed her appetite and made her restless.
“Maybe a bowl of soup. I’m not very hungry.”

“You need something substantial. You’re weaker than you
realize.”

She glanced at the menu and cringed. How could she sit here
munching a burger while Kyle struggled for life?

“Bring her a steak.” He looked at Ava and added, “I presume
you eat red meat. Our kind can’t seem to resist it.”

Nothing else sounded any better so she nodded. “That’d be
great.”

“How would you like it cooked?” the waitress chimed in.

“Medium rare.”

“Baked potato and salad okay?”

“Sure.”

“Be back in a jiff.”

The waitress sauntered off and Ava looked at Jake. “Why did
you presume I need to eat?”

“Therians can sense weakness in others. My tiger is going
crazy because you’re so drained.” He scooted his chair closer to the table and
lowered his voice. “I will protect you and Kyle until you’re both strong again.
Now, enough stalling. Tell me what the hell happened out there.”

Chapter Four

“She’s still unconscious,” Osric snarled as he stomped
across the lab.

Carly took a deep breath and carefully controlled her
expression before she turned from her computer screen and looked at him. “I
told you the new formula is harder to metabolize. She might be out for a few
hours yet.”

“You said that a few hours ago.”

When Osric’s plan to interrogate Devon had been foiled by
the formula’s side effects, it gave Carly an idea. She’d keep Devon sedated
while she attempted to notify the backers. They might not want Osric to take
out his frustration on Devon if Devon were more than just a stubborn test
subject. She couldn’t sedate Devon indefinitely, but she’d give it a little
while longer.

“I don’t know what to tell you.” She kept her legs tucked
under her desk and tried to sound indifferent. “Giving her a harsh stimulant at
this point would risk serious damage.”

“Well, make damn sure no one else goes near her.” He started
for the door then stopped and glared at her again. “Did Milliner know about the
test subjects? Did he say anything to you?”

She raised both hands and shook her head. “I have no idea
what you’re talking about. General Milliner delivered them, but he told me
nothing specific.”

“The girls are my kin, not close, but blood relatives. And I
think that bastard knows it.”

“Why would he intentionally provoke you like that?” Milliner
was the type of person to pick at a scab until it bled. Capturing Osric’s
relatives for this program was well within the scope of his personality.

“You tell me. You’ve been all buddy-buddy with him lately.”

She scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. “Yesterday
was the first time I’ve been in the same room with him. You’re paranoid.”

“Maybe. And maybe I’m starting to see things clearly for the
first time. I’m going out for a couple of hours. No one goes near Devon until I
return.”

He slammed the door behind him and Carly exhaled. Afraid
he’d give it one more try on his way out of the facility, Carly accessed the
security feed and watched Devon’s holding cell. The door swung inward a few
minutes later and Osric appeared. “So predictable,” she muttered as he stalked
across the small room. He patted Devon’s hand and even slapped her hard enough
to redden her cheek, but the young woman remained unconscious, completely limp.
Carly switched to the corridor cameras and followed his progress until he left
the building. “Don’t hurry back on my account.”