Knight Shift (51 page)

Jax ran into the woods, flanked on one side by Chad in the form of a large hunting dog and on the other side by the twins in their fully shifted wolf forms. Ben couldn’t keep up with all of the shifted animals so he took turns riding on a twin’s back. Just behind them were Sam and Susi, whose hunting instincts were in full gear and they flew through the trees with grace and speed.

In the meantime, luck was on Logan’s side and he caught the family’s trail. Like Jax’s ability to go invisible, Logan also had a secret gift that he hadn’t shared with anyone. His talent allowed him to mask his scent to mimic another animal. Unknown to Jax and Razor, Logan’s gift was one of the reasons why they hadn’t been able to hunt him down.

Utilizing his unique talent, Logan followed the hikers from a safe distance and, once they found Penny, he planned to sneak in and take her when they had their backs turned. While Jax focused on the path ahead using his blood connection to Penny, Chad’s animal instincts twitched, forcing him to keep his senses locked on the woods behind them. Although he never spotted anyone and didn’t sense anything out of the ordinary, he remained alert and knew something wasn’t quite right.

It was just past midnight when Jax suddenly stopped in his tracks. As his fellow hunters waited and stared at him intently, his face lit up in a smile and he announced, “I’ve found her. She’s camped about a half mile up.”

No one questioned his announcement but, if he was right, they were all going to be extremely impressed by his ability to so precisely track his prey from such a long distance. Although Sam, Susi, and the twin’s exceptional hunting senses hadn’t picked up her trail yet, Jax hadn’t varied from his self-defined path. The entire trip through the woods it had been as if Jax was following a rope whose end was tied around Penny’s waist.

A short time later, they spotted the faint glow from a camp.

*~*~*~*

It was a cool night so Penny was sitting by the fire mentally running through the events for the next day. She planned to stand on the ledge which looked out over a valley and sprinkle the last of the ashes just as the morning sun crested over the horizon. With all of the details worked out, she was about to crawl into her tent to attempt to get some sleep when her inner voice warned her that someone was approaching. She cursed, realizing that she had left her rifle next to the fire. Just as she raced back and picked up her weapon, a large Great Dane came barreling out of the woods and knocked her over.

Staring up at a big dog grin, she scratched him behind the ears and asked in shock, “Chad? How the hell did you find me?”

“That would be my doing. I thought you knew that you could never hide from me.”

Penny scrambled to her feet as the air filled with the voice she had ached to hear and she watched Jax and each member of her Changeling family appear out of the dark shadows. She asked, “What in the world are all of you doing here? It’s too dangerous.”

While the twins put on clothes that Ben tossed to them, Taylor replied without trying to hide his fury, “We could ask you the same thing. What were you thinking?”

Susi pushed Taylor to the side and raced to Penny, flinging her arms around her. She apologized profusely for what they had done to her while she held her so tightly that Penny was gasping for breath. Sam had to come to her rescue and pry Susi’s arms apart so that Penny could take in air. But when Sam looked into Penny’s shiny green eyes, he couldn’t stop himself. He pulled her into his arms and started his own round of apologies. Before he was done, the twins and Ben took his place. Even Chad shifted back to Human to add in his words of regret. Although in his Human form he was naked, Penny didn’t care. She hugged him back just as hard.

While Jax waited his turn, he stared at the camp, which was setup exactly as he and Penny had done together so many times before. He instantly longed to go back to the quiet nights wrapped in Penny’s arms.

When he approached his former tent mate, her breath caught. She wasn’t sure if she was allowed to touch him, but as soon as he was next to her, she gave in to her needs and wrapped her arms around his chest.

While holding her Jax said, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean any of it.”

Her embrace tightened at his words and tears spilled out of her eyes. After they released each other, they all sat down around the fire and Susi pinned herself to Penny’s side. Jax sent a quick text to John to let him know Penny was safe and then he said, “You should never have risked this trip alone. You know the dangers that lurk in the dark, especially for you.”

“I didn’t come unprotected.” Penny patted the rifle she had lying on the ground next to her feet.

Jax replied, “You mean the one that stopped Chad from knocking you onto your butt minutes ago?”

Feeling Jax’s anger flare, she decided to divert his thoughts into a new direction. She picked up and cradled the blue bag she had pinned to her other side and quickly added, “I couldn’t spend my mother’s birthday locked up in my cabin and, between my family needing to be put to rest and not being able to see all of you, I couldn’t take it anymore. I did plan to tell you about this trip as soon as I was allowed to see you.”

Sam said, “You may be Human, but you couldn’t be more family to us than if the same blood flowed through your veins. When your Human family died, we would have moved heaven and earth to have been by your side on your trip to Virginia. But, as you know, we weren’t able to be there for you and that fact will haunt us until we take our last breath.” Looking around the woods where Penny was camped, he said, “I know that you were trying to protect us by leaving us out of this latest trip, but this place is our backyard and gives us the ability to be here. We know you need to do this and we could leave you here alone, but let us stay and stand beside you.”

Taylor added, “There are only a select few that Tadd and I have let into our lives and that we would die to protect. Besides those that are sitting beside me, you—a Human—are also on that list.” He gently rubbed the silver eagle hanging on his chest that he hadn’t taken off since the day Penny gave it to him. “Your brothers were also listed right beside you. Tadd and I will miss them beyond words.”

When Taylor’s voice broke, Tadd took over by saying, “We would like to stay and have the honor to help you say goodbye to them.”

As Penny’s eyes again filled with tears, she scanned those she cared for most in the world and replied, “You’re right. I should’ve told you about this trip and asked you to come with me, but I couldn’t risk breaking our promise and putting you in danger yet again. I’ve caused too much pain in your lives already.”

Susi hugged her and said, “We’re family and there’s nothing that you can’t ask of us.”

Seeing that they weren’t going to leave, Penny said, “Well, here is what I planned. I’m going to stand on the ledge at day break and let the breeze carry my family’s ashes across the valley. Will you stay and help me say goodbye?” She looked between Sam and Susi and added, “And when I say you, I mean all of you.”

Susi asked, “At day break? But Sam and I can’t—”

“You can if you drink some of my blood first.” As the protests started, she said loud enough for all to hear, including a watching Logan, “That’s my only condition. Both Sam and Susi need to drink enough of my blood to be able to stand at my side when the sun rises.” She pointed up higher on a nearby cliff face. “As I setup camp earlier, I spotted a cave opening. It’s too high for me to get to without climbing gear, but Jax could shift and take a quick peek to confirm that it’s deep enough for you to hide in. If it’ll work, he could take you both there after my family is finally at rest.”

Although Sam and Susi were more than willing to take the risk of being caught outside in the sun in order to stay with Penny, none of them liked the blood loss part of the equation.

Sam said, “But Penny. Your blood has a draw like none other. Even I found it hard to stop. Susi isn’t nearly as strong as I am and she hasn’t been feeding well since that night. She would be exceptionally dangerous feeding on you and most likely won’t be able to control herself.”

Susi added, “Sam’s right. Even if they’re able to keep me under control, I don’t have Sam’s ability to make the bite feel good. Odds are it will hurt like hell.”

Recalling her experiences with Logan and Van Gogh, Penny replied calmly, “I’m more than aware of what I’m asking and what it will feel like, but I won’t agree to any of this if Susi can’t be a part of it. Ben can use his gift to monitor her and all of you can help separate us if needed. I’m not afraid.”

Ben shook his head in frustration at his friend and said, “Every word Penny just said is the absolute truth. She’s willing to risk her own life for this.”

As Jax predicted Penny was, once again, putting her life in someone else’s hands. But when Penny looked at him pleadingly, there was absolutely no way he would say no. Instead he said, “If the cave will work and Susi agrees, then I won’t fight you on one condition.” After a moment’s pause to make sure Penny was listening, he added. “Odds are you’ll be weak after giving that much blood. You’ll rest after and, only when I think you’re strong enough, you’ll let us carry you down the mountain. And you’ll do all of this without a single complaint.”

Penny replied, “That’s actually three conditions, but you have a deal. In the morning, we’ll face the sunrise together.”

Jax rolled his eyes at the excitement in her voice. Only Penny would be anxious to open her veins for two Night Walkers, with one unstable, but he wouldn’t fail her. He had traveled her journey every step of the way and somehow he was going to make this final leg work.

*~*~*~*

Logan, from a perch high in a tree and using his gift to mask his presence, had listened intently to the conversation. He wondered if he’d heard Penny correctly. Did her blood allow a Night Walker to stand in the sun? If that was true it would explain why the family protected her so fiercely. It also made him want her even more. He longed to be able to step out of his life in the dark to feel the warmth of sunlight on his skin, and he knew that he would do just about anything to get it.

Using his exceptional night vision, Logan glanced up at the cave Penny mentioned. After Ice had inspected it, he planned to climb up and take a look for himself. From its opening he could watch the morning unfold and, if deep and large enough, he could hide in its depths throughout the day without Sam and Susi realizing he was there. He pulled out his phone to call his men to share his news but, when Hawk answered, he instead told him to lay low and wait for further instructions. If the power of Penny’s blood was true, he wanted to keep that secret to himself for now.

When he saw Jax’s shifted nature appear and head up the cliff face, he crouched low and waited silently in the dark.

After Jax returned with his assessment that the cave was more than large enough, Penny said, “Then the plan is set.”

Susi stood and held out her hand to Sam and said, “If I’m going to maintain control in the morning, I need to make myself as safe as feasibly possible. Let’s go hunting so that I can gorge myself until I’m ready to burst.”

Sensing the twins’ nervousness, Jax suggested, “Why don’t you two go with them? You can stretch your legs and check the neighborhood. I’ll stay here and watch over Penny.”

After the four ran off together, the remaining campers settled in for the night. Jax announced, “Morning will come quicker than you think. Why don’t the rest of you go to bed and get a few hours of sleep while I stand guard. I promise that I’ll wake you when it’s time.”

Penny nodded but, when she stood, she said, “If you’ll excuse me, before going to bed, I need to take care of something. Nature’s calling.” When Chad’s dog form got up to follow her, she patted his head and said, “I don’t need a chaperone for this task.” When he growled protectively, she replied, “It’s okay. I’ll be back shortly.” Chad didn’t like it, but he let her go into the trees without him.

Jax called, “Stay close.”

Penny nodded and then disappeared into the dark.

*~*~*~*

Seeing his opportunity, Logan quietly moved toward Penny’s new location.

*~*~*~*

Chad stood guard and stared into the trees. Jax had noticed how cautious Chad had been since they left the house and was very appreciative for his protective stance toward Penny. He promised to thank him later for his diligence. While Jax stood motionless waiting for Penny’s return, he leaned toward Ben and asked, “How is she doing?”

Ben whispered in response, “She has an inner voice that’s getting louder every day. It’s telling me that she’s hurting inside and she could use your shoulder to lean on. Everyone is gone so it’s the perfect time for you to go talk to her.”

Jax had desperately wanted to speak privately with Penny and here was his chance.

Just before he stood, Ben added, “She’ll play the martyr and push your help away. Don’t let her. I know she needs you. Be honest about the struggles you’re having. It’ll help her share what she’s really feeling inside.”

Jax was amazed by how Ben had grown so wise over the last year. After thanking him he walked to the trees and, when Chad started to follow, Jax turned. Sensing Chad’s need to play the protector, he said, “While I step away, please take over as guard for the camp. Bark if you see anything.”

Chad puffed out his Rottweiler chest and started to slowly circle the camp, watching for anything unusual.

*~*~*~*

Meanwhile, Logan spotted Penny staring off the cliff into the night. Just before he stepped out of the dark, Jax walked through the trees and forced Logan to retreat back into the darkness of the shadows.

*~*~*~*

Jax walked up behind Penny and said, “You were gone longer than expected so I thought I would come check on you.”

Unable to handle staring into his eyes, she continued to look off into the valley and said, “If you’re here to try and talk me out of my plans for tomorrow, save your breath. I’m not going to change my mind.”

Jax replied, “I didn’t find you to argue. I know how stubborn you are and, no matter how dangerous I think this plan of yours is, I promised to support you. I actually came after you so that we could talk.”

She reluctantly turned to face him, knowing her need to touch him would fill her mind. She clenched her fists to hold back the urge and asked, “About what?”

“The young, but very wise, Ben says that he can feel the struggles you’re having inside. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“
You could pull me into your arms
,” was the first thing that popped into her mind but, out loud she said, “Thanks, but I’m okay. Putting my family to rest will help me move on. I need to put a lot of things behind me so that I can learn to stand on my own.”

“My presence isn’t helping any. If it would make it easier I can step into the shadows. I refuse to leave you but, as you know, I can hide so that you don’t see me.”

She shook her head and said, “You’ve been on this journey with me from the start. It’s only right that you’re here at the end. Tomorrow I start a new life.”

“You mean a life without you and me?” Deciding to share his feelings, he said, “I need you to know that I’m finding being apart from you extremely difficult.”

Seeing the pain in his eyes, she replied while understating the impact of their separation a thousand fold, “I’m also having some challenges with our arrangements, but our decision was the right one. You warned me when we first met that our two worlds shouldn’t mix. Just look at the mess we’re in right now because I didn’t stay away and we indulged in our urges. But if I had heeded your warning, I wouldn’t have taken the trip cross-country with you. No matter what happens in the future, I’ll never regret a single second of the time we spent together.”

“Neither will I.”

While fidgeting nervously, she said, “I don’t want you to feel guilty if you’ve moved on.”

Jax knew she was referring specifically to Chloe. He replied, “I’ll never forgive myself for what I did to you that night. Your life is too precious for me to risk and I did what I thought was necessary to ensure your safety. I could see the pain I caused you and I know very well that the tears you shed were quite real. But it was imperative that Thorne believed you and I were over.”

With a sad chuckle, Penny replied, “It definitely worked and I understand why you played out the scene the way you did. He needed to sense real pain from me, but can I ask you something about that night? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“You can ask me anything.”

“Was Chloe aware of the ruse or were her reactions real?”

“I trust Chloe, but I couldn’t risk your life on her acting skills. So to answer your question, she thought—and still thinks—that it was all real.”

“Are the two of you a couple now?”

Jax knew the real question Penny wanted to ask so he answered it instead, “Nothing happened between Chloe and I.”

Recalling the expression on Chloe’s face, Penny knew how much she wanted Jax. If what Jax just said was true, it meant that Chloe was inadvertently hurt that night as well. Penny straightened her shoulders and said, “Maybe you should take care of that oversight.”

“What?” he asked in disbelief.

“Let’s look at the situation like adults. To keep both you and me safe, you must make everyone believe that I mean nothing to you, right?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t the best way to do that is to actually move on? You and I aren’t a couple so you aren’t under any obligations to be faithful to me. On top of that Chloe really cares about you and would be more than willing to be your partner. I don’t want her hurt because of me, so I see you having two options. You either need to become a couple or tell her the truth. It isn’t fair to her.”

“Why would you care about how Chloe feels? She has never been very nice to you and she definitely didn’t stand up for you when I threw you off a cliff for her.”

“Because we’re both women and there are no racial boundaries for the pain associated with wanting a man that you can’t have. She’s a Changeling and is welcome in your world. No hiding or lies required.”

“But I don’t want her.”

Although his words thrilled Penny, she also wanted him to be safe and happy. “Like Susi said, you and Razor are playing a dangerous game, so I guess I’m telling you to do whatever it takes for you to remain safe. That’s all I’ll ever want.” After staring silently at each other for a moment, Penny announced, “We better get back before they come looking for us.”

Although Jax missed hearing her voice and wanted to continue to talk to her for hours, he reluctantly nodded. As Penny passed by him to lead the way back to the camp, the gap she had to walk through was narrow so she brushed lightly against his chest. Even the smallest touch sparked and ignited smoldering emotions that had never been fully extinguished.

Penny’s inner voice screamed, “
Need
”, in her mind and her pulse doubled instantly. Jax felt her reaction and, out of pure instinct, his arms wrapped around her. Instead of protesting, she leaned into his deeply missed embrace.

Feeling her projected body heat, the part of Jax that was Ice took over his actions. Seconds later, he had Penny wrapped in his arms with his lips pressed on hers. The feel of his kiss was like adding fuel to a fire and she instantly wrapped her body around his. As they embraced she let out a deep moan and clung on to him.

*~*~*~*

Back at the camp fire, Ben sat up a little straighter when he felt a new and welcome sensation carried on a warm breeze. He looked into the woods where both Jax and Penny had disappeared and caught the intimate thoughts flashing through Penny’s mind. He snickered and whispered into the breeze, knowing that only Jax could hear him, “I’ll take Chad for a walk.”

Ben quickly stood and said to Chad, “I need to stretch my legs. Will you protect me as we check the neighborhood?”

Chad transformed into a Bloodhound and led Ben into the woods. Ben was grateful to step away for a minute. Although he enjoyed the feelings of affection in the air, the images Penny was projecting were quite explicit and he wanted to give her some privacy.

*~*~*~*

Logan quickly scaled up a tree and, while projecting himself as a raccoon, he positioned himself to watch what was unfolding below him.

*~*~*~*

Back on the ledge, Jax and Penny’s embrace changed from a frantic flash fire to pure deep affection. The world around them disappeared and the only noise they heard was the sound of each other’s labored breathing. Although they both knew that they should stop before their embrace went too far, their need was too great and neither wanted it to end until their body’s demands were met.

Before they knew it, they were both naked and Penny was lying on a bed of soft pine branches with Jax was on top of her. Although the air was now cold, she didn’t mind. The need for his touch overrode her logical thinking.

In a burst of mental strength, Jax forced himself to break away for a moment to ask, “If you don’t want to do this, I can attempt to stop.” Seeing spots appearing on his body, he wasn’t exactly sure if his shifted side would obey that command if given.

She reached up, caressed his cheek, and said, “I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. Right at this moment I need you so much it hurts.”

From within, Ice roared to be released. As he covered entirely in his camouflage spots, Jax slid himself into Penny’s warmth. She frantically pulled him down and pressed his mouth on hers to muffle her moan of approval. As their bodies began to move together she completely lost herself in his touch. At that point, even if the entire family had walked through the trees and found them, they couldn’t have stopped what their desperate need had put into motion.

*~*~*~*

While Ben kept Chad distracted, he hummed a tune in a feeble attempt to block Penny’s thoughts, which were so strong that even at a distance he was having trouble tuning them out. He was grateful that it was dark to hide the constant, flame that burned in his cheeks.

*~*~*~*

As the lovers’ desires grew to a peak, Penny begged while panting hard, “Please, Jax. Make me shiver until my teeth rattle.”

Jax’s body instantly obeyed her command and, as Penny felt an icy chill spread inside her, her back arched. Her body quickly followed his lead and released a burst of heat. Unable to contain their reactions, Penny cried out while Jax roared.

*~*~*~*

Chad’s ears perked up and he instantly shifted back to Human. He asked Ben, “What was that? We should go back. Penny may be in trouble “

Thinking quickly on his feet, Ben replied, “She’s fine. I asked Jax to give me a signal when he and Penny were able to come to consensus on plans for tomorrow. He’s just informing the world that everything is as it should be.”

Since the sound was not a sound of anger, Chad agreed to let it go, but said, “I’ve never heard Jax make a noise quite like that one.”

“I guess it’s another item we can add to the long list of changes his journey with Penny has caused.”

*~*~*~*

Back on the ledge, Jax’s strong arms held Penny against him and he absorbed every little bit of heat that she projected while gently kissing paths across her skin. Their euphoria was interrupted when reality returned like a snapped twig as they heard rustling in a nearby bush. They both stared at the leaves and exhaled in relief when a rabbit jumped out and bounced away.

Penny chuckled and, while caressing lines up and down Jax’s back, she shivered from the cool night air and said, “I guess we need to get dressed and go back to the camp.”

“Are you going to be alright? I honestly never planned for this to happen.”

She pressed his palm over her heart and asked, “Do you feel that?”

“Something other than your heart beat?”

“With all of the stress I’m under, my pulse has been elevated for weeks. But at this very moment, its beat is slow and steady—a perfect calm. You did that. Once again, your touch saved me.” She pulled him to her, gave him a kiss, and added, “Now to answer your original question, I’ll be fine.” And she meant it. She could handle about anything knowing that he still cared for her.