Fatal Call (New Breed Novels Book 4) (11 page)

She could see him fighting past the instinct and focus on the meaning of what she’d said.

“Another God?”

“It would have to be, right? I mean, he could gleam, block me from seeing him, and then he attacked me from within the vision. What else could it be? But there’s something else.”

Troy moved closer and smoothed her hair. “What is it?”

“When he attacked me, he summoned power to him and threw it directly at me. But somehow I was able to put my hand up and block it.”

“Do you think your power might be expanding again?”

“No. I’m a seer. My power is passive. It can continue to grow, but it will never be active. This power didn’t come from me, my male. It came from our offspring. I used his power. I must have tapped into it somehow.”

“Wait, if the offspring can deflect that kind of power now at only a few weeks old, what will his abilities be like when he’s grown?”

She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I wish I knew, my male. I wish I knew.”

Ana glanced at her watch while she walked down the upstairs hallway. It was just before seven. She’d just been looking for her mate down in the compound when she sensed him in this part of the house. She figured he was in Richard’s room watching the first news of the day. She was just about to knock on the door when she realized he was in the conservatory just kitty corner to the suite.

She stood quietly in the doorway for a moment, not wanting to disturb him. Her mate was sitting quietly in a wicker chair, watching the sunrise in the east. He turned to hold out his hand. She walked to him and put her hand in his.

“I’ve done something,” he said without looking up.

She kneeled down in front of him and looked up into his face. He’d been crying.

“What is it, my male? Are you alright?”

“No. I should have told you something the other night at the condo. After I sent my
nagual
to you.”

“Go on.”

“I did feel something. It wasn’t anything good or bad. It actually seemed totally neutral. But it was there.”

“What did you feel?” Her voice shook a little as she spoke. She tried to seem calm, but her heart was pounding so loudly she could hear it in her ears.

“It’s hard to describe. It was like fresh air, a draft coming from the outside somewhere.”

She nodded.

“That’s it. That was all I could have told you about it, but you were in such a dark place. A mood I hadn’t sensed in you since before Adriana was kidnapped.
Ihkweea
, I was afraid for you. I’m sorry.”

“I know.” She stood up and hugged him hard. Then she turned and walked toward the conservatory’s glass wall. “I have something to tell you, too.”

She heard the crisp sound of his boot heels on the hardwood floor, then his big hands were on her shoulders. She looked to the sunrise and turned to her mate. “It’s about the dream I’ve had all these years. The one about Victrixa and the male? I went to Evy and asked her to see what she could make of it. It turns out that it’s not just a dream, but a memory. That day really happened.”

“Was she able to identify the shifter?”

“That’s just it. It wasn’t a shifter. She said that the past shifted and she could see the being in the present. It prevented her from seeing it and then it tried to kill her. She made it out, but…”

“So it knew it was being seen. And it attacked her from within the vision?”

She nodded. “I think it’s Bane, my male. Everything inside me is telling me that it’s him. Between my dream, Evy’s vision, and Victrixa collecting
naguals
.”

“I think you’re right. We need to tell Reyn and Richard.” He buried his hands in her short dark waves and looked into her face, eyes glowing steadily. “I’m sorry,
Ihkweea.
I know we’re in this together. I’ll never keep anything from you again. I swear to you.”

She leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips, then gave him her best stern look. “You’d better not.”

He smiled, took her hand, and together they walked across the hall.

Pax was stretched out in the bed with James lying against his chest. He thought about their little hook-up for the thousandth time and smiled. He hadn’t even gotten off. Hell, he hadn’t even managed to get his pants off. But he hadn’t been thinking about himself, for once. Only James. And it felt so good. When the male’s body calmed down enough to let him sleep, Pax had thought about it for hours. To him, it was always about honor and duty. But James was a very different male. What he had done might have looked like service to the Order on the outside, and it obviously did fulfill it, but the real duty was to his friend. It was an act of mercy. Of loyalty. He’d wanted to free Seth from what he became and he couldn’t stand by while his friend was taken down and denied his afterlife. He had to be sure Seth was sent home to the Goddess.

Pax sighed. James knew all along what it would cost him, but he hadn’t given a thought to himself. He was the most selfless person he had ever known, but the thought of what the whole thing might do to him frightened Pax. James was so quick to sacrifice, just like when he’d taken that bullet. Goddess, the bullet.

He brushed the hair off the brother’s forehead. “I should go.”

“I know. Just a little longer.”

He wrapped his arms around him and the male settled back in. Pax knew neither one of them were ready to be together. They both had a lot of healing to do. But when he was ready, there was no one else he wanted.

“James, you know last night wasn’t some kind of pity fuck, right? You know that…”

The male looked up at him. “What, you love me?”

Pax knew he was teasing, but that didn’t stop him from blushing. “I’ve wanted you since the very first time you were with us at dinner. Do you remember that night?”

James looked thoughtful for a moment.

“My eyes were glowing, weren’t they?”

The male’s hazel eyes grew wide as the full meaning penetrated his gray matter. “I just thought you were being friendly.”

“Oh, I’d have been friendly alright.”

James jabbed Pax in the ribs. “Stalker!”

The male smiled and looked down at his lap. “The thing is, I want to be with you. But I know I’m not ready. And if we try it too soon, I’m gonna fuck it up. I know it. It’s not fair to ask you to wait for me, and I wouldn’t want you to keep from seeing other males or anything like that.”

James put his fingers to Pax’s soft, full lips. “There are no other males.”

The brother looked into his eyes and nodded before dropping a quick kiss on his cheek. “I’m about ten minutes late meeting Dies and I need a shower.”

James nodded. The moment Pax slid out of bed, he missed him. As the door closed, a heavy weight settled in his chest. He had a feeling it was going to be with him for a very long time. He suddenly felt very tired. He wrapped himself up in the duvet and closed his eyes.

Rose sat with the Order’s females in the living area of Adrianna’s suite. Apparently, they had a tradition of ordering different salads and sharing them. She looked around the room from where she sat in the recliner and smiled in spite of herself. They were all so amazing, each in her own way. Helen was so intelligent. Evy was powerful and feisty. Adriana was an amazing leader and mother of the first New Breed offspring. And Ana… Well, she hadn’t spent any real time with her yet, but she was the Order’s only female warrior. Enough said.

Adriana passed her a hand-written list. “Rose, do you know which salad you’d like? It’s your first lunch, so you get first pick.”

“Mary makes all these? Wow. Um, I’ll have the fruit salad.”

The door to the hall opened and Ana came in with the
nagual
hot on her heels, so to speak. Rose watched it perch on her shoulder as she found a spot on the floor. It really did take some getting used to. “Sorry I’m late, everyone. Are we ordering?”

“Just started,” Helen answered.

“How’s your morning sickness, Evy?” Rose asked.

Evy gave her a big grin. “It’s so much better already. I can’t believe how much the tea helps. I’m actually eating lunch today.”

“That’s great. I’m so glad it’s helping.”

“Thank fuck. What a grouch.” Ana grinned.

Evy crossed her eyes.

Rose couldn’t help but smile. They were so young, but yet shouldered so much. Most shifters on the outside were grateful, but they really had no idea, did they?

Helen stood up and moved to the arm of the recliner. “What did you teach at Harvard, Rose?”

“Mostly Japanese history and some Asian politics.”

“Asia is so fascinating. I took Japanese my freshman year in college for the language requirement. It was so challenging. I spent more time studying that than any other subject that year.”

Rose nodded. “It’s not easy for me either. I’ve been in the states since I was ten. I can still speak it, but I’ve lost a lot of my ability to write it.”

“That reminds me. Christian and Rory need tutors. I can work with Rory in reading and writing, but Christian’s science is too advanced for me. And Rory also needs math and Spanish. Any takers?” Evy looked from face to face hopefully.

Helen smiled. “I can help Christian in science.”

“Thanks, Helen. I know how busy you are. He only has one topic left. He would have graduated in a couple of months. It’s a shame for him not to finish. This way, if he doesn’t go through a second transition, I can help him get his credits.”

“You know, I can tutor Rory in all three subjects if you like, Evy. Your hands are pretty full.”

“Oh, my God. You’re an angel, Rose. Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

“I’ll help Rory with her Spanish.”

“Awesome, Adriana. I was hoping you’d say that. Thanks so much, ladies. I’m not sure what we’ll do if we take more kids in, but this will help a lot.”

The thought of teaching again was so invigorating that Rose could hardly help herself. “The residents will have phased, so they’ll mostly be twelfth graders. That’s an age I can work with. We can set up a schedule and I’ll take them in groups, if need be.”

“Oh, that’s perfect, Rose. I think between the rest of us, we can cover the languages.”

Baby Maya began to cry and half the room started to get up.

Adriana motioned for everyone to sit down. “It’s okay, girls. Have a seat and prepare yourselves.”

The females all looked from one to the other as Adriana called into the next room.

Without warning, the offspring materialized in the play pen in the corner next to Helen, who jumped. “Holy shit.”

“Yep. Richard thinks it’s adorable. I’m having a nervous breakdown. Maybe if I could gleam.”

Ana put her arms around her. “I’ve got your back, mama.”

“So do I,” Evy chimed in.

Rose stood up to go over to the baby and all of a sudden the room did a complete flip flop. Luckily, Ana was fast.

“I’ve got her.” The warrior actually picked her up and carried her to what looked like a smudge of a couch.

Then Helen was at her side. “Ana, my kit.”

Moments later, out of nowhere, the most offensive odor imaginable hit her nostrils. “Oh!”

“Sorry, honey. Do you remember what happened?”

Rose looked at all of the concerned faces surrounding her. “I just felt so dizzy.”

Helen took her wrist and felt her forehead. “You nearly passed out. How do you feel now?”

“Better, I guess.”

“I think I’ll have you come down with me to the ward for a bit. Just in case. Alright?”

“Do you really think that’s necessary?”

The surgeon shook her head. “No, not necessary. Just smart.”

Ana helped Rose stand and handed Helen her bag. “I’ll bring you ladies some salad in a few minutes, Helen.”

“Thanks, m’dear. We’ll see you all later.”

X flew down the back stairs and darted down the compound’s main corridor. He would have gleamed, but at the moment his brain couldn’t seem to remember how. He pushed through the swinging door of the medical ward. His mate was lying on one of the beds watching
Ellen
on TV.

He softly touched the side of her face. “Hey, are you alright?”

“I’m okay.”

Helen came out of her office. “She fainted, X. She checks out. I just wanted to keep an eye on her for a bit.”

“You fainted, Rosie?”

“More like half fainted.” She smiled up at him.

“Honestly, X. With the week she’s had, it’s not that surprising.”

No problem. Now if he could just be treated for a coronary. “Can I take her down to our room?”

“Sure. Just make sure you two lovebirds actually rest tonight. I was newly mated once.”

His female flushed.

X nodded. “Scout’s honor.”

“Alright. Go ahead and take her. Order dinner in. Maybe check her vitals here and there.”

“Will do. Thanks, Helen.”

X scooped her up into his arms.

His mate grinned up at him. “Did you know baby Maya can gleam already?”

He couldn’t suppress a relieved smile. “Let’s go, you.”

Dimitri walked with Ana down Marlborough Street, passing one Victorian brownstone after another. They crossed Dartmouth and he checked his watch. It was late and Back Bay was quiet for the most part. Except, of course, for the ones they hunted. Weeknights were the best days of the week and today was Wednesday. Less civilians and more frankenfuckers. Perfect.

“Do you see that?”

He nodded. One of those odd groupings of rogues was up ahead. There were three of them. Ana felt sure that Victrixa would never allow something like that. Too paranoid. Her theory was that the scientist had been selling rogues to Batiste on his own. Finding out for sure was key. They needed to know if she was actually working with the drug lord or not. “You know, maybe it’s time for some reconnaissance.”

“It’s worth a shot. After you, bro.”

He gleamed to the top of one of the brownstones and his partner followed. Together they walked quietly from building to building, using the condos’ connected rooftops. They listened to the conversation below them as they went. They couldn’t have asked for a better sitch. The rogues never veered off the street, allowing them to listen in for blocks. They’d just gleamed across Exeter to the next row of brownstones when Dimitri’s Spidey sense went off. Sure enough, he could pick up on a slight clicking sound off to the left. They were being photographed. Whoever it was, he hoped they were getting his good side.

He put his arm around his partner’s back and mouthed,
keep moving.
It was a shifter’s
k’ul
, but it was coming from another nearby rooftop. He glanced at the buildings on the other side of the street. Maybe it was just an insomniac civilian working in their rooftop garden. And then he saw her. She was crouched down along the dormer window of the Victorian across the street, mini cam in hand.

Well, well, well. Ekaterina Spanov in the flesh.
“Viktor’s hottie is directly across the street.”

“Want me to go?”

“No. This is our problem. I’ll meet you back at my condo. No more than an hour.”

“Fine. Just don’t underestimate her.”

With that, he gleamed across Marlborough and materialized right by where he’d seen her. She’d already started scaling the roof toward the top. Dimitri launched himself forward and grabbed onto her boot, but she’d latched onto the roof’s ridge.

“Aw, come on now. That’s just rude.”

He managed to get her turned around and holy fuck. It was like seeing a ghost or some shit. She looked exactly as she had in his dream. At that moment, she gave her leg a yank and it slipped from his hand.

“So, we meet at last, Dimitri Ivanovovich.”

“I didn’t realize I was in such high demand, Ekaterina Spanovovna.”

“Not so high, but your brother is another matter.”

“Yeah, why is that again? I’m much better looking. This is over, female. Done.”

She raised an eyebrow. “On the contrary, it has hardly begun.”

She turned and slid down the other side of the roof. Dimitri hopped up onto the ridge and watched her as she made her way down the Exeter side of the building using the recessed windows. Wait, his big brother was running from a Bond girl? As she was just about to land on the sidewalk, he gleamed down behind her.

He clapped his gloved hands. “Well done. Very Hollywood. Do you always do your own stunts?”

She swung her leg around behind her and he hopped over it, grabbing her arm and wrenching it behind her back. Suddenly, something burned into his hand and he let go all at once. “Fuck!”

The female ran up the street, slipped her leg over the seat of what looked like a classic Ducati, and shot off. Dimitri gleamed out and materialized in the living area of his condo at Midtown. His partner was sitting on the couch playing remote roulette with her feet on the coffee table.

Ana craned her neck around and smiled. “Wow, D. Twenty whole minutes. Impressive.”

He held up the palm of his hand. “I’m fine, fuck you very much.”

“Lemme guess. You underestimated her.” She shook her head and walked over. “Males.”

“Well, call me crazy, but I didn’t expect to get shot with a goddamn toothpick.”

His partner took a gander at his palm. “Looks like she got you with a Berloque.”

“Wha…?”

“It’s a tiny pistol. She probably had it on her keychain. Let me just get that out and give it a quick cleaning.”

He drew his brows together. “Did you say on her keychain?”

“Yep. She used it to startle you. I told you to be careful. She’s a spy, D. We come equipped with all kinds of shit and we don’t fight in the same way. It was pretty clever, actually.”

A moment later, she held up the offending metal with a pair of tweezers.

“Lovely.”

His partner cleaned it and left it without a bandage. “Anything else of note?”

“I think she drove off on a Ducati.”

“Really? Not my style, but I’m sure it does the job. She definitely knew who you were?”

“She used my name.”

“Well, that doesn’t necessarily mean she was sure.”

“At least, not until I answered her.”

Ana rolled her eyes. “You’re an idiot.”

He grinned. “Yeah, but you love me anyway.”

“Which makes me an idiot. Let’s motor.”

Troy stood on the back patio and looked up at whatever stars weren’t obscured by the lights of the city. He took one final drag off his last ever cigarette and looked at it for a moment. Since he’d been with Evy, he hadn’t even smoked every day. With the baby comin’, it was time to quit for good. Which was just as well. He flicked the butt with his fingers and was just about to go inside when he noticed his mate as she walked to the pond and sat down on the bench alongside it. He watched her for a moment, wonderin’ whether or not she needed some alone time. Aw, fuck it. He opened himself up to her and let her emotions enter him briefly. It was announcement enough. She turned and patted the bench next to her. She didn’t even seemed pissed that he’d done it, which actually worried him a little.

He walked up behind her and swung his legs over the back of the bench. “Hey, babe.”

“Hey.”

“Sorry about the quickie. I thought maybe you might wanna be alone.”

“No, it’s fine.”

He brushed the back of her hair with his hand. “Got an awful lot on your mind these days. Is it the baby?”

“No. I mean, I think he was just trying to protect me. So far his power is passive, like mine. It just took me awhile to realize it. I’m sure it’ll work itself out. Speaking of powers, can I ask you something?”

“Course.”

“When you pick up on someone’s emotions, like that time with James, for instance. How do you decide when to keep it to yourself and when not to?”

He thought for a moment, picking up a rock and skipping it several times along the surface of the water. “Well, with James, I watched and waited to see what came next. I knew I wasn’t the only one who was looking out for him and noticing the changes in him. That helped. Then, after we got into it in the workout room, I decided it was time to step in.”

“But what if it was too late?”

“Did you have a vision about someone, babe?”

She nodded.

“Can you tell me who it is?”

She looked down at her lap. “It’s Rose.”

Ah. She didn’t want to invade the female’s privacy, but he knew she felt a very strong loyalty toward X. Shit.

“I mean, on the one hand, I don’t want to upset Rose. She’s barely been here a week and she really likes it here. Plus, I already read something by mistake and had to apologize. I mean, she’s such a good person. I know she wouldn’t keep anything from X if she thought it would hurt him.”

Aw, man. His female had seen something from Rose’s past. No wonder she was stressin’ about Xavier. “Maybe they’ve already talked about it, Ev.”

“Yeah, I thought of that, too. But maybe not.”

She started to tremble and he suggested they head inside. They took hands and gleamed into their bedroom. Troy picked up her favorite quilt and wrapped it around her shoulders before they sat on the bed. “How did this vision happen?”

“You know how I usually check on your duty to be sure you’ll be safe? Well, she was nervous about X. You know, first time and all. So I offered to read X’s night for her. That’s when her past came up.”

“That happened to me a lot when I was gettin’ used to my power. Finally, I went to see Richard about it. He said that a lot of that stuff is just noise. It happens a lot early on. Unless something else has happened.” His mate’s face fell and he caught it by her chin. “Ev?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.”

“Okay, how ’bout this. Keep your eye out and if you decide you should talk to them, we’ll go together.”

“Thanks for that, my male.”

“Hey, guess what, female? Smoke-free as of ten minutes ago.”

“No way.” She grinned. “That’s great. I’m proud of you.”

“Yeah, ’cept now I think I’m getting a waffle craving instead.”

His mate swatted him with a pillow before he leaned back against the rest and brought her down to join him.