Chapter 16

 

“We should talk, Kat,” Ronin said as she sat down on the bed.

As soon as they had arrived at her house, Ronin had led her to the shower. They had showered together, washing away the ash and the blood that covered them, but he had shaken his head when she’d tried to touch him and kiss him.

She nodded. “Yes, but not now.”

“Kat – “

“I need you,” she said simply.

He hesitated and she stood and unwrapped her towel, dropping it to the floor. He stared hungrily at her naked body before looking away.

“We need to talk,” he repeated.

“We will,” she said before holding out her hand.

He took her hand and kissed her palm as she untucked the towel around his waist. She pushed him on to the bed before straddling his thighs. His cock was hardening and she bent over him and took it into her mouth, sucking firmly as he groaned loudly. She darted her tongue over the slit, relishing the taste of his precum before licking the thick vein on the underside.

“Kat,” he moaned, “please.”

She licked and teased until his hips were thrusting uncontrollably and he was begging softly. She smiled at him, stroking his thighs with her nails before she sat up and scooted her body forward. She planted her knees on either side of his head and smiled down at him.

“My pretty bird,” she whispered.

“Yes,” he said. His warm hands gripped her thighs and she cried out with pleasure when he pulled her down to his mouth. His tongue licked at her swollen clit and she ground her pussy against him. He sucked her clit into his mouth before flicking it with the tip of his tongue and she purred loudly as she rested her hands on his stomach and thrust her pelvis against his mouth. She was close to coming and she pulled away before he could bring her to her release. She wanted - needed - him to be inside of her when she came and she ignored his grunt of disapproval as she slid down his body. He helped her guide his cock into her warm wetness and she purred again as he filled her completely.

“So good,” she whispered as she rocked back and forth.

“Yes,” he moaned. “Faster, kitten.”

She moved faster as he cupped her full breasts and played with her nipples. He moved one hand to her clit and rubbed it firmly and she moaned his name, sinking her claws into his chest as fire coursed through her veins and she stared wide-eyed at Ronin.

“I can’t wait,” she gasped. “It feels so good, Ronin, it feels – “

Her back arched and she came in a roaring rush of pleasure that made her legs shake. Ronin shouted hoarsely and she ground herself against him as he came with a wild thrusting of his hips. She collapsed against his warm body, resting her head on his chest and listening to the rapid beat of his heart as he rubbed her back.

“I love you,” he said.

She lifted her head and smiled at him. “I love you too.”

She poked him with her claws when he grinned and said, “Of course you do. I’m irresistible, kitten.”

She crawled off of him, her legs were still weak and trembling, and they climbed under the covers. He reclined on his back and she threw her leg over his and rested her head against his chest again as he stroked her naked hip.

“So you’re a phoenix,” she said.

“Yes.”

“I thought they were extinct.”

“There aren’t many of us left,” he said. “And the ones who are do everything they can to avoid detection.”

He squeezed her hip. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

She shook her head. “You don’t need to be sorry. It’s not something you should be sharing. If humans found about phoenixes, hell, if other shifters found out about you…”

She trailed off before sighing. “It would be awful.”

He didn’t reply and she smoothed her hand over the tattoos that covered his chest. “That’s how you survived the dragon’s fire. Ava was right, you were burned to a crisp that night.”

“Yes. After I was reborn, I was going to just slip away because I knew that Ava had seen what happened but I couldn’t leave.”

“Why not?” She asked.

“I saw you,” he said. “I saw you staring at those burning trees and I knew you thought I was dead. The look on your face tore me up inside. I didn’t want you to believe I was dead.”

He kissed the top of her head. “Also, I really wanted to sleep with you and it would have been hard to do that if you thought I was dead.”

She laughed softly and kissed his chest. “I really wanted to sleep with you too.”

“I know,” he said. “You practically molested me right there in front of everyone.”

She pinched him in the ribs and he winced before squeezing her naked ass. “Gentle, kitten. I’m a fragile little bird, remember?”

She suddenly stiffened before lifting her head and staring at him. “The night that we were attacked by the dragon at Mal’s house. I was dying wasn’t I?

He nodded, his face paling, and she took a deep breath. “I don’t remember much - I didn’t want to remember and I convinced myself that what memories I had weren’t real – but I remember you holding me.” She touched his face. “I remember you crying.”

He closed his eyes for a brief moment. “The dragon broke your back and paralyzed you. A phoenix’s tears can heal so…”

He trailed off and frowned when she started to cry. “Kat, sweetheart? Don’t cry.”

“You saved my life,” she whispered. “You saved my life and I was so – so mean to you.”

He burst out laughing and hugged her tightly. “I like my mean little pussy cat, remember?”

She cupped his face and kissed him. “Thank you for saving my life, Ronin.”

“You’re welcome, Kat,” he said quietly.

She buried her face in his throat and he stared silently at the ceiling. He needed to tell her about Wyatt and the lab, needed to tell her that being with him put her in danger but it had been a long day and they were both tired.

Later, he thought. I’ll tell her later.

 

* * *

 

“How’s Ronin doing?” Mal asked.

“Perfectly fine,” Kat said. “He said he could come back to work.”

Mal shook his head. “The guy died two days ago, I think we can wait until Monday. We’ll put him back at the warehouse for now. Now that the vampire is dead, Mavina’s parents ended the security detail on her.”

“If they ask us to provide security again, I think we should say no,” Bishop grumbled. “They aren’t paying us nearly enough for the kind of shit that went down at Koren’s party.”

Kat glanced at her watch. The three of them were standing in reception and she tensed when the door opened.

“Hey, Willow?” Fenton was holding a piece of paper and frowning at it. “The insurance screwed up my dental claim again and I – “

He stopped and stared at the three shifters standing by the desk. “Oh, hey. What’s going on?”

“Just waiting for someone,” Kat said briefly.

Willow stood and took the piece of paper from Fenton before scanning it. “Oh for the love of Pete,” she sighed. “Your insurance company is the worst, Fenton.”

“Tell me about it,” he said cheerfully. “Although I think I may have messed up this time and given them the wrong information.”

“Here, come with me to Mal’s office and we’ll check your personnel file. Maybe it’s an incorrect policy number,” Willow said.

Fenton followed Willow into Mal’s office as Bishop glanced at his own watch. “Do you think Clay will show up? It’s almost noon.”

Kat shrugged. “He’d better. I’ll go to the media if I have to and he won’t – “

The door opened a second time, the bell over it jingling softly, and Clay walked into the office. He was dressed casually in jeans and a grey t-shirt and he looked tired and out of sorts.

“Hello, Clay,” Kat said.

“Hi,” Clay gave the three of them a brief smile. “Sorry, I’m late.”

“Why don’t we talk in my office.”

The three men followed Kat into her office. “Clay, this is Malcolm Burke.”

Mal shook Clay’s hand as Kat closed her door. Clay was standing next to her and he gave her another brief smile. “So, before we get started, I wanted to – “

The door to her office opened and Ronin stuck his head in. “Hey, kitten, I’m here to take you for lunch. I was thinking we’d hit the deli down the…”

He trailed off and Kat watched as he stared at Clay and a look of anger and fear crossed his face.

“You,” Clay breathed.

Ronin reached for Kat. She felt his fingers brush against her arm before she was yanked up against Clay. The cold muzzle of a gun was placed at her temple and she froze as Clay barked, “Any closer, bear shifter, and she’s dead. Move, Ronin.”

“Let her go, Clay,” Ronin said softly. “You don’t need her.”

“Move,” Clay repeated.

Ronin backed into reception and Clay prodded Kat in the back. “Walk.”

She moved out of her office and Clay waved the gun at Bishop and Mal. “Over with the bird, please.”

They joined Ronin as Clay put his arm around her waist and pressed the gun against her temple again.

Ronin, adrenaline surging through his veins, tried to stay calm. He stared at Kat’s pale face as Clay studied them both.

“You know better than to let anyone get close to you, Ronin,” Clay said quietly.

“I didn’t. She means nothing to me,” Ronin said.

Clay’s small smile was tinged with weariness. “No? Then you won’t care if I shoot her?”

His finger tightened on the trigger and Ronin took a step forward, holding his hands out and shaking his head. “Wait! Clay, just wait a minute.”

Clay smiled again. “You love her.”

“Ronin, what’s going on? How do you know Clay?”

Kat’s voice was remarkably steady and Ronin felt a surge of love for the jaguar shifter.

“You didn’t tell her?” Clay said. “I suppose you thought you were protecting her.”

“How did you find me?” Ronin asked.

“Oh you’ll love this part,” Clay said. “I didn’t actually find you. I was just here to speak with Ms. Frost. You showing up is a really ironic twist of fate.”

“I can’t help him,” Ronin said. “I tried – it doesn’t work.”

“I know,” Clay replied. “He’s gone mad.”

“Then why are you helping him?” Ronin asked.

“He’s my friend,” Clay said simply.

“I was his friend too and you saw what he did to me.”

“He thinks it’ll work this time,” Clay said.

“Do you?” Ronin asked.

“Does it matter what I think?” Clay sighed. “I’m sorry, Ronin, really I am. I’m taking Ms. Frost to the lab. I expect you to join us. I’ll let her go when you do.”

He glanced at Bishop and Mal. “Just you, Ronin. Not your new friends, not the cops, just you – or she’s dead. I don’t want to kill her but you know I will.”

“You don’t need her,” Ronin said quickly. “Let her go and I’ll come with you right now.”

Clay hesitated and Ronin took a step toward them. “You don’t need to involve Kat in this. I’m the one he wants. Let her go, Clay, please.”

Clay stared steadily at him before nodding briefly. Relief flooding through him, Ronin gave Kat a faint smile. “Everything will be fine, kitten.”

“I’m not leaving you,” she said. “If he’s taking you to that lab, I’m going with you.”

“No, you’re not,” Ronin said. “I love you, Kat. Don’t come after me, okay?”

“Fuck that,” Kat snapped and despite his fear a small smile crossed Ronin’s face.

Clay squeezed her waist. “Listen to him, Kat. You don’t want to see what he’ll do to the man you love.”

There was a flicker movement behind Clay. Ronin could see Fenton slipping out of Mal’s office and crouching to the ground as he prepared to jump. He didn’t make a sound but Clay stiffened before looking over his shoulder just as Fenton leaped for him.

“NO!” Ronin shouted as Clay, still holding Kat firmly around the waist, vanished.

“What the fuck!” Bishop shouted as Fenton, a growl of surprise erupting from his throat, landed on the floor in front of Ronin.

“He’s a goddamn teleport!” Mal said.

“Fuck!” Ronin shouted. He ran for the door and scowled at Bishop when the bear shifter grabbed him by the arm and shoved him against the wall.

“Let me go!” He snarled.

“Not a fucking chance,” Bishop growled. “Not until you tell us what the fuck is going on.”

Willow, her small frame trembling, came out of Mal’s office. “Mal? How – how did he just disappear like that?”

“He’s a teleport,” Mal said grimly as he joined Bishop. He stared at Ronin, his eyes glowing bright green.

“I have to go!” Ronin hissed at them. “Wyatt’s insane and he’ll hurt Kat if I don’t go to the fucking lab. Is that what you want? For Kat to die?”

Bishop roared with anger and slammed Ronin against the wall. “I get that you love her but Kat’s our friend and she is just as important to us as she is to you. Now start talking, Ronin, or I’ll rip open your guts and show you what your intestines look like.”

 

* * *

 

Kat, her stomach rolling and so dizzy she could barely see, fell to her knees and vomited on to the floor. Her arm was grabbed and Clay hauled her to her feet. She staggered and he steadied her before giving her a sympathetic look.

“Sorry, it can be a bit disorienting the first few times. Take some deep breaths, it will help.”

She coughed and wretched again before wiping her mouth with her hand. “What the fuck did you do to me?”

They were in an office, it was small with just a desk, a credenza and two leather chairs, and Clay, holding her firmly by the arm, led her toward one of the chairs. The floor was moving like she was on a boat in the middle of a storm, and she stumbled and nearly fell. Clay threw his arm around her waist and half-carried, half-dragged her to the chair. She sank into it, closing her eyes and breathing in deep lungful’s of air as Clay watched silently.

“What did you do to me?” She asked again as the room slowly stopped spinning.

“I’m a teleport,” he said. “I can move from one – “

“I know what it means,” she said irritably. “Where are we?”

“Stowe Laboratories,” Clay replied. He moved to the credenza as Kat eyed the closed door.

“I wouldn’t suggest trying to escape,” Clay said as he poured amber liquid from a crystal decanter into two glasses. “The building is very large and quite maze-like. It’ll be impossible for you to find your way out before I or my men find you.”

She glared at his broad back. “I move fast.”

He laughed. “Yes, I imagine you do, but believe me – you’re not faster than a teleport.”

He held the glass out to her, frowning when she didn’t take it. “It’s just scotch. Drink, Kat. It will help.”

She took it from him and drank the scotch in one large swallow before dropping the glass on the floor. It shattered and Clay winced.

“Oops,” Kat said

“How long have you been dating Ronin?” He asked.

“None of your fucking business, Clay,” she snapped. “Why are you after him?”

“I can answer that.”

Kat spun in her chair and stared at the man standing in the doorway. He was big and broad with dark hair and she sniffed at him. “Dr. Wyatt Stowe, I assume?”

“Yes,” he said. “I’m afraid I don’t know your name.”

“Katarina Frost. She’s dating Ronin,” Clay said before tossing back his drink.

“Really?” Wyatt said in surprise as he crossed the room and sat behind the desk. “Can I assume that Ronin will be here soon?”

“Yes,” Clay said shortly.

“Excellent work, Clay. And quite brilliant of you to use his girlfriend as leverage.”

“I had no choice, Wyatt.”

“Why are you after Ronin?” Kat repeated.

Wyatt sighed deeply. “It’s a long story, Katarina.”

She stared silently at him and he glanced at the monitor sitting on the desk before stroking his fingers across the screen. “Ma chérie,” he whispered.

He took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair. “Did you know that Ronin used to be a police officer?”

“Yes,” Kat said.

“My wife was a police officer as well. She and Ronin were partners.”

“Lora,” Kat said.

Wyatt jerked in his chair and glanced at the monitor again. “Ronin told you about her?”

“A little. He said she got sick, he tried to help her and failed. He said she died.”

“She is not dead,” Wyatt said angrily. “My wife is still very much alive and if Ronin had really been her friend he would not have left her to suffer the way she has these last two years.”

He rubbed delicately at his temples before rummaging in the desk drawer and taking out a bottle. He shook four tablets into his hand and chewed them down, grimacing at the taste, before pouring himself a glass of scotch. He sipped at it as Kat glanced at the door again.

“Two and a half years ago, my wife contracted a virus. She’s a bear shifter and this virus attacked her system repeatedly as it tried to heal, tried to eradicate the threat. Bear shifters have the fastest, most effective healing ability of every living shifter, but as quickly as she healed, the virus moved at an extraordinary rate. Within three months, one infected cell had become millions. Her immune system, her healing ability, shut down completely and she turned.”

“Turned into what?” Kat asked.

“A monster,” Wyatt whispered. “But still my wife, Ms. Frost. I had spent nearly my entire life studying a shifter’s healing ability, what made it work the way it did, why did some shifters heal faster than others, and I knew that I could find the cure for my wife’s virus.”

“How did she get the virus?”

Wyatt shook his head. “I don’t know. And frankly, I’ve stopped caring. She has the virus - she needs to be healed. That’s all that matters.”

“So you used Ronin to try and heal her,” Kat said.

“Yes. Lora had been on sick leave for a long time and I could no longer keep it a secret from Ronin. That’s when he told me he was a phoenix. He tried healing her with his tears and when that didn’t work, he volunteered to let us do testing on him.”

Clay made a soft snort and Wyatt gave him a cool look of disdain.

“What kind of testing?” Kat said.

“We took blood, other samples, and tried to use his DNA in a vaccine of sorts. Unfortunately, Ronin grew tired of helping and chose to leave. He believed he could do nothing to help my wife. He abandoned her, Kat. He was her friend and he left her to suffer.”

“I don’t believe you,” Kat said. “If Ronin thought there was any chance of helping her, he would have stayed.”

“You’re wrong!” Wyatt suddenly shouted. Kat watched as his body swelled and thick fur grew on his cheeks. Fangs descended with a soft pop and he bared them at her as he growled viciously. “He’s a coward and I will never forgive him for leaving her like this!”

He swung the monitor on his desk around and Kat inhaled sharply. A creature, monstrous in size with fangs that protruded past its chin, was pacing restlessly back and forth in a thick iron cage. Bedding and blankets were torn to shreds and littered the floor of the cage, and she flinched when the creature wrapped its massive paws around the bars and shook them angrily. It roared, saliva spraying from its mouth, before biting at the bars.

“That is my wife,” Wyatt said softly. “My Lora. For the last two years I have watched her suffer while searching for Ronin. Your bird shifter flies free while my Lora lives in a cage.”

He swung the monitor back to face him, stroking the screen softly with his fingertips, before studying Kat. “Perhaps Ronin will abandon you as he abandoned my wife.”

Kat didn’t reply and Wyatt stood. “If Ronin isn’t here by sunset, kill her.”

“Wyatt, you can’t be serious,” Clay said. “Her partners know she’s here. If we kill her, they’ll go to the police, they’ll – “

“Then kill them as well!” Wyatt roared. His nails turned to thick claws and he swiped them across the top of his gleaming desk, gouging deep marks into the smooth wood. “You’ll do what I tell you to do, Clay! Do you hear me?”

“I hear you, Wyatt,” Clay said softly.

Wyatt growled at him again before his body returned to its normal size. He straightened his jacket and smoothed back his hair. “When Ronin arrives, bring him straight to the lab.”

“What do you want me to do with her?” Clay asked.

“Put her in a cage,” Wyatt replied.

He stalked out of the room and Kat hissed at Clay when he walked toward her. He showed her the gun tucked into his shoulder harness and shook his head. “Don’t make me shoot you, Kat. Stand up.”

“Did Wyatt really just let Ronin leave the first time?” She asked.

Clay shook his head. “No. He was keeping Ronin prisoner and he escaped.”

“How?” She asked.

Clay smiled a little. “Your bird shifter is very clever.”

“How did Lora infect the coyote shifter?” Kat asked when Clay didn’t elaborate.

“She didn’t. There was a doctor, a hyena shifter, who worked in the lab with Wyatt. Her name was Millie. She got too close to Lora and was scratched. She didn’t tell anyone. When she didn’t come to work for a few days, Wyatt sent me and my men to bring her in. We assumed she infected the coyote shifter you saw in the coffee shop that day. She had already turned by the time we got to her place. She killed three of my men and infected five others before I could kill her.”

“What happened to the infected men?” Kat whispered.

“I killed them,” Clay said bluntly.

A shudder ran down her back and she gave Clay a look of horror. “Why would you do that? If Wyatt’s right and he can find a cure – “

“There is no cure,” Clay said bluntly. “If your phoenix couldn’t heal them of this virus, nothing can. Wyatt’s wife is dead. He just refuses to accept it.”

“So the coyote shifter infected the porcupine shifter who in turn infected Sandra,” Kat said.

Clay nodded and Kat scowled at him. “So you killed Sandra?”

“No,” Clay replied. “The porcupine shifter tried to attack her again, we think it was bad luck that he found her again, and we sedated him and brought it back to the lab. When Sandra turned, we sedated her and brought her to the lab as well.”

“Why didn’t you kill Davis?” Kat said bluntly.

“Wyatt has gone mad,” Clay said in answer.

“I know. I can smell it on him,” Kat replied. “Why didn’t you kill Davis?”

“Because I’m not the monster you think I am,” Clay said shortly. “Let’s go, Kat. Your bird will be here soon and since I highly doubt he’ll come alone, I have work to do.”