TherianPrey (22 page)

“What sort of shifter is he?” It didn’t matter, but she
wanted to know.

“Bear,” Ian said. “He’s one of eight still in existence.”

“Is Payne a lion?”

“Among other things.” Jake chuckled. “I was under the
impression we need to find Ava before Osric gets his hands on her, and define
them both before Nate succeeds in stealing Carissa from under our noses. Have
our objectives changed?”

Erin’s frustration was starting to show. Her features tensed
and her tone thinned. “Those are our objectives, but there are—”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Jake cut in. “If Quinn isn’t
up to the task, I’ll—”

“I’m more than up to the task!” Quinn shot to his feet,
hands fisted at his sides.

“She needs more time to—”

“We don’t have more time.” Jake cut Erin off again. “The
entire network is in chaos and it doesn’t need to be.” He stood and turned his
indignation on Carissa. “I’m sorry this is sudden and you feel overwhelmed, but
this needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. Too many people are being
risked needlessly.”

Carissa hadn’t thought about the danger others were enduring
on her behalf, but Jake was right. If she let Quinn define her, the wolves
would have no reason to pursue her and everyone who was working to protect her
could turn their efforts toward finding Ava.

Erin stood and marched right up to Jake, facing off with the
lethal-looking tiger with no hint of intimidation. “You’re right. Defining
Carissa tonight would go a long way toward defusing the conflict. She would be
safe from the wolves—for now. But do you honestly believe Nate wouldn’t
retaliate? He’s been so understanding in the past. And what would be sacrificed
for this momentary lull? We’re trying to reawaken the Omni Prime. Is it really
worth throwing that possibility away so we can sleep better tonight?”

He didn’t back down, but his tone softened, became more
respectful. “I understand the long-term goal, but we have to examine every
option. If we define Carissa now, we would be able to focus all of our
resources on finding Ava. And once Ava’s located, you would still be able to
attempt the ritual with her.”

“The choice is Carissa’s.” Erin seemed to relent then she
added, “But she has other options as well. We could attempt a seeker circle,
access her connection to Ava and use it to locate Ava’s hiding place.”

Jake looked at Carissa and then back at Erin, his expression
revealing nothing of his thoughts. “Has that ever been attempted with a latent
female?”

“Most of this has never been attempted in our lifetime,”
Erin reminded him. “Ian and I are both strong telepaths, and Carissa and Ava
are twins. What do we have to lose by trying?”

Jake folded his arms over his chest and fell silent. Tension
curled around them, drawing Carissa to the edge of the loveseat. What was this
“seeker circle”? Erin had described Therian powers, mind links and psychic
dreams, but the only ability Carissa had actually experienced so far was Erin’s
healing touch. Unless she counted all the shapeshifting.

“As you said, the final choice is Carissa’s,” Jake finally
gave in. “I won’t push the issue tonight. But if one more drop of tiger blood
is spilled because of your hesitation, we’ll finish this conversation.” He
started for the front door then stopped and looked at Carissa. “If the seeker
circle doesn’t work, remember Quinn’s not the only one capable of defining you.
Any of us would be honored to include you in our clan.”

Chapter Nine

Releasing his pent-up breath in a controlled stream, Quinn
shifted his gaze from the door through which Jake had just departed to the woman
at his side. Carissa fidgeted on the edge of her seat, obviously unnerved by
Jake’s casual offer to define her. Just the thought of any other man sharing
something so intimate with Carissa made Quinn restless and edgy. With each
moment that passed, Carissa’s mind and body moved into closer sync with his. He
couldn’t hear her thoughts yet, but he could sense her confusion and
frustration. She was fighting hard to take it all in without losing control of
her emotions. But who wouldn’t be overwhelmed by all these changes?

And she wasn’t alone in her anxiety. Visiting the sanctuary
was always bittersweet for Quinn. This was Kyle’s stronghold. And it had once
been as close to a home as Quinn had ever known. After his parents died, Quinn
had been taken in by the cougar clan, basically adopted by Erin as a companion
for her son. Quinn had grown up with Kyle and the other cougars had gradually
accepted him. Until Quinn’s abilities began to manifest.

Now he was an outsider again, mistrusted and shunned.

But Carissa trusted him. She might not understand all the
details of being a Therian, but she had instinctively accepted him while she
pushed other males away. There was no way he was going to screw that up.

“No one is defining you but me,” he whispered, reaching for
her hand.

Rather than being comforted by his assurance, she slipped
her hand out from under his and stood.

His heart lurched and he closed his hand into a fist. He
would not let this happen again. He couldn’t survive another rejection. He’d
stoically accepted his banishment and hardened his heart against the pain. This
was different. This was more important than anything he’d faced before. He
would never accept defeat. He’d fight for Carissa, court her in any way she
needed until he earned her trust.

“The choice belongs to Carissa and only Carissa,” Erin
stressed. “Despite the increased danger, I believe she needs more time to make
an informed decision.”

“The last thing I want is to create tension between you and
your allies,” Carissa told the older woman.

“They aren’t my allies.” Erin smiled, the expression faintly
maternal. “We’re united by a common cause but I’m not their leader. If this
rebellion belongs to anyone, it’s you and Ava.”

Carissa glanced at him, awareness still smoldering in her
deep-blue eyes. All was not lost. She hadn’t rejected him. She was just
intimidated and confused. He couldn’t blame her for her uncertainty. They had
thrust a lifetime of knowledge on her in a few short days. She’d been
kidnapped, shot, threatened and hunted. And the challenges had just begun.

She brushed a stray strand of hair off her forehead then
squared her shoulders as she turned back to Erin. “Then why did Jake and Landon
both say they answered to you?”

Despite the challenge in Carissa’s tone, Erin remained
unruffled. “I know more about the Omni Prime than anyone else, but I’m just the
messenger.” Carissa said nothing more, so Erin asked, “Do you want to try this
now, or would you rather get some sleep and try first thing in the morning? I
know you’re still recovering from your injury.”

“I’ll sleep better if I know Ava’s safe. Let’s do it now.”

Erin rose and motioned everyone toward the middle of the
room.

Quinn pushed to his feet but hung back, gaze fixed on Ian.
“This might go smoother if I’m not in the meld.” The thought of Ian in
Carissa’s mind infuriated Quinn. Still, he couldn’t let his resentment hinder
her chances of locating her sister. Finding Ava wasn’t just important to
Carissa, it was vital to their cause.

“Nonsense.” Erin waved away his concern. “You can’t let the
past compromise the future. Ian will navigate the pulse, but he’ll need as much
energy as we can provide.”

Ian didn’t look happy about Erin’s decision either, but he
didn’t object. His features tensed as he approached Carissa. “It’s been a long
time since I participated in one of these and I seldom navigate.”

“You’re stronger than I am,” Erin insisted. “It’s like
riding a bicycle. You’ll do fine.”

It was obvious Ian didn’t share her confidence as he
reluctantly took his place in front of Carissa. Quinn moved up behind her and
threaded his fingers through hers. He had to be near her, touching her,
protecting her. He shouldn’t feel this possessive. He hadn’t even joined with
her fully, but his cat tossed its head and prowled ever closer to the surface.

Erin stood at Carissa’s side and placed one hand on the
shoulder of each man. Her face was expressionless, her posture relaxed.

Ian hesitated another moment then framed Carissa’s face with
his hands. “Close your eyes.”

Carissa did.

Quinn molded himself to her back and buried his face in her
soft hair. Her scent calmed his restless cat while Quinn slowly eased into her
mind. Their connection was still a fragile thread rather than the solid cord
that would one day bind them—if she accepted him as mate. He pushed the
possibility away, refusing to be distracted by the future. He located the fiber
and poured energy into her mind, strengthening and reassuring her. She sighed
and squeezed his hands, pressing back against his chest.

Delving deeper, Quinn was enveloped by the blackness
swirling through her consciousness. She was aware of him, recognized his
familiar presence, yet she remained unsure. A steady pressure pushed against
the involuntary shields protecting her mind, her being. She tried to relax, to cooperate
with the meld, but trepidation coursed through her, making her wary.

“Relax,” Ian coaxed. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Come through me,” Erin advised. “Her instincts might accept
me more easily.”

“Why?” Ian sounded annoyed.

“I’m not a threat to Quinn,” Erin explained. “She senses
your hostility and instinctively protects her mate. It’s only natural.”

“Quinn is not her mate!”

“Not yet,” Quinn stressed with a challenging smile while
hope made him feel almost giddy. If Erin sensed his connection with Carissa, it
had to be more than wishful thinking.

Ian lowered his hands and stepped back. “If you’d kept your
hands off her in the first place, she wouldn’t flinch every time I touch her.”

Quinn wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her snugly
against his body. “She seems perfectly satisfied with my touch.”

“I might not be able to satisfy her until her system resets,
but I would have kept her safe.” Ian’s eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared.

“She was in your house when she took the bullet,” Quinn snapped.

“And she was in yours when the wolves attacked!” Ian raked a
hand through his hair, glaring at Quinn. “Guess that makes us even.”

“Even?” Quinn scoffed. “Not even close.” He forced his jaw
to relax and then added, “Your irrational crusade ruined my life! I live like a
hermit, thanks to you.” He’d bit his tongue and swallowed his pride for the
last time. The tragedy had not been entirely his fault and he was tired of
accepting the blame.

Carissa twisted out of his grasp and moved away. “Do we have
to do this now?”

“Yes!” he and Ian shouted in unison.

Erin motioned Carissa to her side while a subtle flicker of
amusement winked within her eyes. “Have it out, boys. It’s been a long time
coming.”

Ian threw the first punch, but Quinn jerked to the side and the
blow barely grazed his cheek. Fueled by four and a half years of bottled-up
hostility, Quinn retaliated. His fist landed squarely on Ian’s nose. Blood
burst from Ian’s nostrils and the females gasped.

Erin shoved the coffee table out of their way and drew
Carissa farther away from the fight.

“We’re just going to stand here and let them beat the hell
out of each other?” Carissa’s voice trembled, but Quinn kept his attention
squarely focused on his antagonist.

They silently circled then Ian threw a wild right, which
Quinn easily dodged. “You’ll have to do better than that, old man.” Ian landed
a punch to Quinn’s gut. Quinn grunted then laughed. “No room to unfurl your
wings.” He slammed his fist into Ian’s jaw, snapping his head back. “Puts you
at a serious disadvantage.” He jabbed with his left, catching Ian on the chin.
The raptor’s head jerked sharply to the side and he staggered back a step,
momentarily off balance.

Shaking away the impact, Ian shuffled to his right and
raised his fists in an attempt to guard his battered face.

“This wound has been festering for years,” Erin told
Carissa. “It desperately needs to be lanced.”

Quinn lunged, jamming his shoulder into the taller man’s
stomach. Ian flew backward and hit the wall. Hard. Pictures rattled and Ian
shouted, “You’re a worthless coward! We don’t make war on women!”

“I was doing my job!” Quinn snarled.

“You were reckless and ambitious, so desperate to make a
name for yourself that you leveled anyone who got in your way.” Ian shoved
Quinn back but remained against the wall. “You were willing to do whatever it
took to get your man and Jillian suffered for your ruthlessness.”

“If she hadn’t been high, my pulse wouldn’t have—”

“That is so fucking typical!” Ian advanced, a fresh burst of
fury blazing in his eyes. “Men like you have been blaming their victims for
centuries.”

“Men like me?” Quinn clenched his fists, his voice low and
gravelly. “Don’t pretend you know me, raptor. Before I went after your
worthless friend, we hadn’t spoken in three years.”

Ian stilled, his features frozen in an angry snarl. Had the
criticism penetrated his anger? “I didn’t need to know you. I saw what you were
capable of and knew the rumors about you were true.” His tone was far less
assertive now. Despite Ian’s outward hostility, Quinn could sense the raptor
thinking, his anger melting.

“Are the rumors about you true?” Quinn kept his tone even,
nonconfrontational. “Were you Jillian’s lover? Did Russell share her with you?”

Ian’s only response was to flip him the bird.

“Rumors are often based on a kernel of truth, but they’re
seldom dependable.”

“You didn’t know what would happen to Jillian?” Ian sounded
begrudging even as the words slipped past his lips.

“I figured she would need her husband and I would follow her
to my mark. That’s all.” He paused, hoping for some outward sign that Ian was
accepting his explanation. Ian appeared to be listening, but his expression was
unreadable. “The rest was beyond my control and I have regretted the outcome
every day since it happened.”