Surge Of Magic (17 page)

“Impressive,” Sam said.

Kip had to agree. Next to the photos were lists of things that he’d need time to study. Connor had gone all out in planning the retrieval of Randy’s powers.

“We want to be prepared for every contingency,” Connor said. “No telling how much magic the Changelings have stolen over time.”

Sam walked over to the map on the wall and studied it. “What do these letters H, W, and B stand for?” Sam asked.

Kip chuckled, remembering how he’d asked the same question when he’d first been hired. “
H
is for human. That would be you and me.
W
is for wolf, which applies to Devon, Rye, and Connor. And
B
stands for bear, which is Kalan. Jackson, is also a bear shifter, but he’ll be staying behind to save our butts should we need it.”

“We should be able to handle a few wolves.” Sam looked over at Connor. “You have a problem with us packing?”

“No, but I’m hoping you don’t have to shoot anyone.”

“That makes two of us,” Sam said.

“Once Jackson, Rye, Devon, and Kalan return from the roof, we’ll go over the plan again so that Sam is up to speed,” Connor said.

“Did Jackson ever figure out how to install the infrared lens on the drone so it can photograph at night?” Kip asked. Their new purchase only arrived a week ago.

“He said he did. He’s trying it out right now.”

As if Connor had summoned them, the missing members returned.

Connor sat at the head of the table. “Let’s go over this one more time.”

*

“You mated with
him?” Izzy said with a huge amount of enthusiasm. She set her glass of wine on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

They were both sitting in the Berta’s den and had closed the door, not wanting Aunt Kathryn to overhear their conversation, just in case either of them mentioned anything of a sexually naughty nature.

“Yes, and it was wonderful.” Teagan still couldn’t believe how amazing it had been to be enveloped by his blue glow. Sparks had shot through her veins, but it was the warmth that surprised her. “It was almost like what I imagine receiving a blood transfusion would be like. Of course nothing was actually entering my veins.”

Her cousin grinned from ear to ear. “I told you so. What changed your mind about wanting to be with Kip? Was it Rosa?”

“Sort of, but it was when Kip came over after I spoke with Rosa that one thing led to another. I just knew he was the man for me.” Thinking back to when they’d made love, caused her face to flush. “We never even made it onto the bed that night!” Teagan giggled.

Izzy laughed. “That’s how Rye and I are. I think we’ve done it in every room in the house. Too much information, I know.”

“Nah, I’m glad you’re happy.”

“Thanks, and I’m happy for you and Kip too.”

Teagan sighed. “When he came over that night, I realized how much I loved him. Rosa explained that by giving myself to Kip fully, my powers would flourish.”

“Did she say anything else?”

“Only that by being with Kip could I help protect him.”

“I’m glad you got that cleared up.”

“Me, too.” Teagan crossed her legs under her. “What’s the best part about being with Rye?”

Her cousin’s eyes widened. “The list is endless, but not only am I mated to one of the best men in the world, now I can shift into a wolf and run whenever I want. That gives me one more layer of protection against those Changelings.”

Teagan blew out a breath then sipped her wine. “I’m rather powerless around them.”

Izzy rubbed her shoulder. “That’s another reason for you to stay close to Kip.”

“True.”

“Once Sam heads down to see your folks, and Kip goes off to work, will you be okay being home alone?”

“Not really, but what choice do I have? I’m not going to insist Kip leave work in the middle of his surveillance job just to babysit me.”

“Is Randy back at work?”

“Not yet, but Kip thinks he will be very soon. Even if he were home, without his powers, I don’t know what he could do if those two Changelings came back.”

Izzy nodded. “You’re right. Do you see Kip living at your place then?”

She shrugged. “The alternative is to move into his place, but that would mean Randy would have to find other accommodations, and that doesn’t seem fair.” It might be a five-bedroom home, but having him there would cut down on their spontaneity.

“Did Kip mention anything about following you into work each morning and picking you up afterward?”

“Like Rye did with you?” That would be terrible. Izzy nodded. “I couldn’t live like that.”

“It sucked when I had that stalker, but it was necessary. Between my parents and Rye, I was being watched all the time. It was bad. Fortunately, I only lost my powers for two days—two very long days.”

“I remember. Your dad acts the same with me.” Teagan polished off the rest of her drink. “They better find that man who attacked me soon.”

Izzy clasped her hand. “If he is a Changeling and he’s caught, I’m betting the head Council will just send another one.”

Her stomach tumbled. “Are you saying I’ll have to look over my shoulder my whole life?”

“We all do. But you aren’t defenseless.”

“What do you mean? Even if I wanted to hurl a rock at a person, it takes a long time to focus before the rock even moves.”

Izzy shook her head. “When you and Kip mated, I bet you inherited some of his magic, and he got some of yours.”

Butterflies attacked her stomach. “I’ve heard rumors to that effect, but I always believed I wouldn’t be able to do what Kip does because my powers are already so strong.” Izzy had told her she too had believed that she couldn’t shift because of the strength of her own magic. However, she was able to shift—but there had also been consequences.

“You won’t know until you try it. Try doing something Kip can do.”

Teagan smiled, remembering how he’d written out that he loved her in sparks. Lifting her forefinger she examined it, but it looked rather ordinary. “Kip can send light in the form of electricity from his fingertips.”

“Go for it.”

If both Izzy and Uncle Len could shoot fire from their palms, and their hands looked normal, perhaps she could shoot electricity. “I’m not sure how.”

Izzy grabbed her hands. “I taught Rye to shoot fire, so maybe it’s the same for you.” She had Teagan place her fingertips together. “Now, picture yourself shooting electric sparks from your fingers.”

She supposed if she could move a rock with her mind, she could also do this. Perhaps when what looked like an infinity symbol had appeared between them, it could have been them sharing their magic. “Here goes.”

Not wanting to harm Izzy, Teagan twisted to the side and tried to do something magical, whether it was shooting a lightning bolt from her palm, or merely writing sparkly words in the air with her fingers. She drew the letter
I
in the air, and she thought she detected something lighting up.

“I think I saw a flicker,” Izzy said, excitement lacing her tone.

“Can you turn off the lights? We might be able to see it better.”

“I heard Kip can turn them off and on at will.”

Teagan rolled her eyes. “Yes, and you can part the sea, but I bet Rye couldn’t do much on his first try.”

Her cousin grinned. “No, he couldn’t. I’ll turn them off.”

She stepped next to the door and suddenly the room turned black. Teagan inhaled. With total concentration, she dragged her finger down to form the first letter of Izzy’s name. Sparks flew and her heart raced. “Did you see that?”

“That’s awesome.”

It wasn’t as spectacular as what Izzy could do, but it was a start. Teagan drew two
Z’s
followed by a
Y
. “I don’t know how this will help me in life, but it is cool.”

“Totally. Humor me and try to turn the light back on,” Izzy said.

“I don’t know where to begin. Do I say light turn on?”

“Picture it,” Izzy said with encouragement.

Teagan did and the light flickered. They both clapped. “It’s a start.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.”

‡

C
onnor had asked
both Kip and Sam to wear the ear buds during this mission so that they could communicate with Jackson. Everyone else would most likely be in their shifted form and unable to use them.

According to Jackson’s surveillance, the team wouldn’t be spotted if they parked on a fire road about a mile from the compound. Because Kalan wasn’t interested in traveling a mile in his bear form, he opted to walk in with Kip and Sam. He’d shift once the bunker was in sight. The rest of the men left their clothes in their cars before heading off into the woods.

The plan was for Kip, Sam, and Kalan to make first contact. The rest of the team would hang back until after the guards had been neutralized. For the last few hundred feet, Sam would have to go in alone in order to put an image into both of the sentries’ minds. He’d make them believe the only thing in front of them was a black, dense forest. If only Sam could inhibit their other senses, they could waltz in unnoticed.

In Kip and Sam’s backpacks were special flashlights with red filters that would help them from being easily spotted. However, they might not have to use them as there was still enough light from the nearly full moon to help them find their way. The wind rustling the leaves would also make it harder for the sentries to hear the shifters.

According to Jackson’s drone, the sentries had two-hour shifts, and this group of two had recently changed. For this intel alone, the drone had been well worth the expense.

Because Sam was more experienced in night maneuvers, Kip and Kalan were to follow his lead. Kip had to work hard not to give away his presence. He was no expert when it came to walking softly through the dense foliage. Kalan, however, was very light on his feet, despite his large size.

As they drew near, voices sounded from the encampment. Sam held up his hand and Kip and Kalan stopped. The guards were chatting and laughing, and even Kip could smell their cigarette smoke. Sam indicated it was time for him to do his magic, and that Kip and Kalan needed to stay put. Apparently, Sam had to be within a certain number of feet from his targets before his power of projection could work.

Sam disappeared through the trees into the night, which caused the cicadas to stop their trilling noise. Hopefully, that wouldn’t alert the guards that something was going down. Hell, it seemed as if every animal had ceased moving.

A strong breeze blew the leaves, and Kip’s pulse jumped. He’d been on many surveillance missions before, but none as critical as this one. Should anything go wrong, it could cost him his life.

Kalan stepped next to him without speaking and motioned he was going off somewhere to shift. His assignment was to sneak up behind the bunker and take out the sentries. Sam said he’d help.

Kip remained behind, awaiting Sam’s all clear call. He tried to detect the location of the rest of the team, but he heard nothing to indicate they were near. While he didn’t have extra sensory hearing like the shifters, leaves crunching or branches snapping should have given away their position. Pride swelled at the McKinnon brothers’ abilities to approach without a sound.

What seemed like an eternity later, two clicks in his ear bud sounded, followed by a pause and then one more click. It was code for it being safe for him to enter the area. Kip had to trust that the sentries had been immobilized and that the other team members would be close by. It was his and Sam’s job to find the Wendayan magic and retrieve it, while the others were to make sure they weren’t interrupted.

Weaving his way through the trees toward the faint light over the bunker, Kip emerged into a clearing. Once he scoped out the area, he rushed up to the entrance. If he hadn’t been aware that the big bear standing over the two prone bodies was Kalan, he might not have approached.

Kip checked out the two downed men, both of whom appeared to be breathing. Good. He bet they’d have a major headache, however, when they woke. Killing them would have caused a quite a stir.

“Door’s locked,” Sam whispered.

That was where Kip came in. Connor was good with picking locks, but too often the job required him to be in his shifted form, so Kip had learned the craft. He’d spent months practicing, and he hoped this system wasn’t too sophisticated for his talent. Just as he removed the picks from his backpack, a wolf appeared. From his brown forelock and gray body, he recognized Connor who then shifted into his human form.