Wild Cat (10 page)

“You’re an unusual man, Diego. Humans don’t always acknowledge that we have a religion. They say we follow primitive rituals without really knowing what they mean.”

Diego’s hands on her back were strong. “I’m Roman Catholic. We have a lot of rituals that people don’t understand either. Some of them were borrowed from the Celtic pagans, which is where I bet you got yours too.”

“You’re saying we have something in common?”

“I’m saying doing a ritual makes sense to me. You can find a lot of comfort in it. Your life might be hell, but to stop for a quiet minute and light a candle for someone you cared about helps.”

He did understand. Five minutes of simple prayer could calm the soul. “Maybe that’s why Eric asked you to stay.”

Diego shook his head. “I think your brother wants me to know exactly what I’m dealing with and wants to watch how I react to it. Your brother is pretty damn canny.” He glanced at Cas-sidy’s house and released her. “Looks like you’re ready to start.”

T
he Shifters were gathering around the bonfire. They formed the circles, close friends and family in the inner one, the rest of the Shifters in the outer.

Donovan’s mother was there in the inner circle, with his three brothers. This Shiftertown’s Guardian, Neal Ingram, who had stuck his broadsword into Donovan to render him dust, joined them. The sword stuck up behind his back, a silent symbol of death. Shifters believed that their souls would not be sent to the Summerland unless the Guardian slid his sword through the dead Shifter’s heart—the Fae magic in the blade made the Shifter’s body crumple to nothing. Guardians lived lonely lives, because very few females wanted to mate with a man who was a walking reminder of mortality.

Eric came out of the house, no longer looking tired and hurting. He was alert, rested, ready. Cassidy didn’t miss how every unmated female turned her head his way. The females always watched Eric.

Diego faded back as Cassidy walked toward the bonfire and her family. He was giving her space to do what she needed to do. Cassidy felt a little warm spot in her heart for that understanding.

Eric put his arms around Cassidy, his strength comforting. Jace embraced her from her other side. Eric and Jace had been there for Cassidy every second. Goddess, she loved them.

The Shifters quieted as Cassidy approached the bonfire. Eric handed her the photograph she’d saved for the ceremony, the one of Donovan grinning at the camera in the dark of a bar, one hand around a beer bottle, the other giving a thumbs-up sign.
Donovan, I’m so sorry.

Donovan’s mother met her, also clutching a photo. The circles of Shifters closed behind them. The Guardian started chanting a prayer in the ancient Shifter language, a cross between Celtic and Fae.

Cassidy pressed a light kiss to the photo, her lips touching Donovan’s face.
Rest in peace, big guy.

Donovan kept smiling as Cassidy dropped the picture to the flame. Donovan’s mother, tears streaming down her face, took her photo, another of Donovan at a party—he’d loved a good party—and fed it into the fire.

Neal Ingram came forward, drawing his sword. He touched the blade to the fire, and the Fae runes on it lit up, seeming to chase up and down the metal. Eric put his hand on the hilt, over Neal’s.

“From this side of the veil,” Eric said, his voice deep and solemn, “we honor Donovan Grady.”

There was a moment of pure silence, the only sound the crackling of the flames. Then someone yelled, “Donovan!”

The cry was echoed in every Shifter’s throat. They screamed, they cheered, they toasted Donovan Grady, beloved friend, brother, son, cousin, and nephew—now partying in the Summerland.

Donovan’s mother closed Cassidy in a crushing hug, then turned away to be comforted by Donovan’s brothers.

Cassidy wiped tears from her eyes and found a cold bottle of beer pressed into her hands. Her friend Lindsay released the beer and dragged Cassidy into a hug. “Goddess be with you, honey.”

Cassidy choked out her thanks. Music blared out, and lights strung through the trees twinkled in the darkness, the memorial segueing into the party. The dead were always celebrated with joy. The music was country, because that’s what Donovan had loved.

Lindsay put her arm around Cassidy. “Drink up. Get plastered drunk, dance your feet off, and then find someone to shag. You’ll feel much better.”

Cassidy couldn’t help the laugh. “Sure, Lindsay.”

The music kept blaring. The Shifters started dancing, waving beer, shouting.

Lindsay favored clingy dresses of sunny colors, tonight’s white with big orange and yellow flowers. She was a Feline, her family’s wildcats more lynxlike, small and wily.

Lindsay kept her arm wrapped around Cassidy’s neck as she drank. “I saw those human hotties bring you home. Who are they?”

Cassidy felt a growl build in her throat. “They’re cops. Diego Escobar is the one who arrested and interrogated me.”

Lindsay looked over at Diego, and she swayed her hips. “
Rowr
. I wouldn’t mind
him
putting me in handcuffs.” Her eyes widened as Xavier joined Diego, handing his brother a bottle of beer. “Sun and moon, they aren’t twins, are they? That would be too perfect.”

“No, Xavier is the younger.”

They watched Xavier clap Diego on the shoulder and the two men walk toward Eric, who’d set up his grill. Their moves echoed each other’s, though Cassidy again noticed the restlessness in Xavier and the control in Diego.

“Diego and Xavier Escobar,” Lindsay said. “Goddess, Latino men are hot.”

Cassidy hadn’t met all Latino men, but she agreed about Diego’s heat level. The man was walking sensuality. She folded her arms tighter, stifling her growls.

Lindsay broke into laughter. “Look at you going all possessive because I’m licking my lips. Hey, if I provide the handcuffs, do you think his brother will do me the honor?”

Cassidy made herself relax, unclench, take a sip of beer. “You are one hormone-laden female, Lindsay.”

“Hey, I’m mateless and ready. Just like you. The body clock is ticking, and it’s telling me to have a good, good time before I mate for life. You can’t tell me your body clock isn’t telling you the same thing. Even if Diego Escobar is human.”

Diego started talking to Brody, who was already unsteady on his feet. The bear brothers liked their beer. Diego laughed at something Brody said, dark eyes flashing over his wicked smile.

Yes!
Cassidy’s libido told her.
Why not?

Careful
, said her heart.

“No. Not yet. It’s too soon.”

Lindsay shook her head. “Honey, believe me, I’m torn apart for you. But you also know that Donovan, of all people, would never expect you to put on sackcloth and ashes and grieve the rest of your life. He understood that Shifters have to produce as many cubs as we can. He wouldn’t be that selfish.”

“I know that. I also know you’re rationalizing to get me to go out catting with you.”

Lindsay laughed and gave Cassidy a half hug. “Oh, come on, I gotta try. Let’s go out after the party and dance until dawn. You can’t tell me a night on the town wouldn’t be a good thing.”

“It would be.” Cassidy felt restless and itchy, needing to work off some heat. “Can’t. I got confined, remember?”

Lindsay rolled her eyes. “You aren’t taking that seriously, are you?”

Cassidy glanced at Diego again. He wasn’t looking at her, but she could feel the awareness stretching between himself and her.

She knew damn well she could avoid the cops and Diego and go about as she pleased. But for some reason, she wanted to keep to her probation, wanted to show Diego she could be trusted. “Yes. I think I am.”

Lindsay sighed. “Ah, well, we have better celebrations right here in Shiftertown anyway. The night’s still young, and as I said, Donovan always liked a good party.”

“Yes,” Cassidy said. “Go on, enjoy yourself.”

Lindsay saluted Cassidy with her beer bottle. “Let me go see if I can land me some Latino cop.” She laughed again as Cassidy’s tension returned. “Don’t worry, Cass. Xavier. I’m going for Xavier.” She licked her lips. “Damn, what a great name.”

Cassidy watched her go, feeling the tightness in her body. All over the common, Shifters celebrated the life of Donovan Grady, the Feline Shifter who’d made friends with everyone. He’d been funny, stubborn, impossible, wild, and well loved.

Maybe Lindsay was right. Donovan had always laughed at Cassidy whenever she moped. That had irritated her a little, as though Donovan couldn’t acknowledge that sadness was important. But he’d tickle her or tease her, or take her out to Coolers and tell her to dance like a maniac until she felt better.

What the hell?

Cassidy upended her beer bottle and took a long draught. Then she ran back into the house, changed into her favorite dancing dress, and went out again. She’d push down her guilt about her fight with Donovan the last night she’d seen him alive, let loose, and party as hard as Donovan ever had. She’d been his mate, and she’d honor him.

She pretended not to acknowledge her little shiver when Diego’s gaze went to her in her slinky blue tube dress. Looking away, she stepped into the middle of the dancing Shifters and let out a wild whoop.

“C
assidy, I swear to the gods, you have the best tail in town.” Shane danced up behind Cassidy a few crazy hours later, beer bottle in one hand.

“You should know, Shane,” Cassidy shouted over the noise. “You chase enough tails.”

Music continued to blare through the trees, and Shifters were dancing, drinking, laughing, shouting. Diego was spending his time talking to Eric and Jace, though Lindsay had enticed Xavier into dancing. Cassidy drank beer after beer and danced with male after male, but Diego didn’t seem to notice.

Shane laughed at her. “You put on a tight dress and shake it, sweetie, you gotta expect every male to come running.”

Cassidy lifted her hands over her head and swayed to the music. She’d discarded her heels to dance. She could move better barefoot.

Shane wanted to mate, Cassidy scented. But Shane always wanted to mate, so that was nothing new.

Nature made female Shifters as horny as the males, more sometimes. Cubs were few and far between, so females in their fertile years had the drive to go for it as often as they could with as many males as were available, in order to search for the most viable seed. Mr. Viable Seed got to be the permanent mate, blessed under sun and moon.

At least, that’s how it had been centuries ago in the wild. Now Shifters were more civilized. Right?

Biological urges didn’t explain the mate bond, however; that almost magical twining of hearts. Mate-bonded mates would live and die for each other—literally.

Thoughts of mating—casual and otherwise—conjured the dark eyes and handsome smile of Diego Escobar. How he’d looked at her out in the woods, how he’d felt against her body when she’d hugged him before the ritual started.

“Sorry, Shane,” Cassidy said. “I just want to dance.”

Shane moved in close behind her. “Oh, come on. You never heard of the horizontal bop?”

Cassidy burst out laughing. Shane was a shit and never changed. “You only like to do it as a bear. My wildcat’s not letting a bear on her back. No way.”

“I’d make an exception for you, Cass.”

“Sure, for me. And for Lindsay. And Sadie, and Michelle…”

“Hey, I’m a bear in his prime.”

“You’re a bear whose mom is looking for him.”

Shane jerked around. “She is? Where?”

Cassidy laughed harder. “Goddess, you’re easy. Your mom’s the sweetest woman alive.”

“Shit, Cass, don’t do that to me.” Shane blew out his breath. “She might be sweet to you, but Mama can be one mean grizzly.”

Cassidy laughed. She’d been baiting Shane for years, and he’d been teasing her back.

Lindsay came whirling in between Xavier, who looked like he was having a fine time, and Kyle, Eric’s Lupine tracker. “Great party!” Lindsay shouted. She whooped as she let both men lift her and carry her back under the lights.

Cassidy looked back to where Eric stood, and she stopped. Diego was no longer with him. Where was he?

She scanned the crowd but nowhere saw the tall human with midnight hair. His brother was still dancing with Lindsay, his body moving with rhythmic grace, but no Diego.

Shane bumped into her. “What’s up, Cass?”

Cassidy shrugged. “I don’t feel like dancing anymore.”

“Fine by me. My room’s empty. Brody will be out all night, and that’s good, because you know how he snores…”

“Sorry, Shane. I can’t.”

“I get it.” Shane embraced her from behind, the gigantic man giving a gigantic hug. “Donovan was a great guy, Cass. We all miss him.”

Cassidy’s heartache came back. She wiped her eyes as Shane released her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Good night, Shane,” she said.

“See ya, Cass.” Shane sounded downhearted, but let her go.

Cassidy walked away from him, unsteady after all the beer she’d had, and sought the house. She was drunk, she was sad, and she’d do nothing but make a fool of herself if she stayed outside and kept obviously searching for Diego.

She blundered into the lightless house, the music blasting away on the porch. It was pitch-black inside, but Shifters could see in the dark, right?

Cassidy ran smack into the tall, hard body of a man walking through their kitchen. His scent was all over her in an instant.

“Diego,” she said, her breath gone.

Her emotions, her need, and way too much beer rocked through her. Staying pressed against Diego’s chest, Cassidy twined her arms around him, rose on her tiptoes, and kissed him on his hot, smooth lips.