Chapter Fourteen

Bridgett: Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.

Since the vamps slept during the day, the rest of us had to be up fairly early, so I’d only managed to get about four hours of sleep. That amount was okay for one or two nights, but I was definitely going to need to close my eyes much earlier tonight. Last night I’d gotten carried away watching Will work with Sinc. He seemed to be picking up all the tech stuff at lightning speed. I was pretty savvy with a computer, but he’d already passed me right on by. Sinc seemed to be impressed. I sure was.

Sinc was also obsessing about Ethan. He’d called last night to say that Garrett was making good progress on his journey and should get to them before dawn. I’d asked Sinc the obvious question of why Garrett hadn’t just rented a private jet? She explained that since Liam jumped through the lines, Garrett would be going over ground that Liam had skipped. He was determined not to miss any clues. Turns out Garrett could pick up scents better than most vamps and also sense if any fae had been in the area. Sinc said it wouldn’t be difficult for him to cover that distance with his vamp speed in combo with his ability to reenergize through the ley lines.

We were both trying to stay positive, talking all the time about Garrett finding Jackie and bringing her home to us. Even though Garrett and I’d had a rocky start, I was beginning to look up to him as if he was some kind of vamp super hero. I giggled at the thought of him in spandex and a red cape.

I took a shower, dressed in jeans and a tee shirt, then went downstairs to dig up breakfast. There was a strange man standing in the kitchen, which freaked me out at first, but when he turned toward me and smiled, I knew instantly that he wasn’t an enemy. He was tall and slim like most fae, and his waist length, platinum blonde hair was tied back, away from his handsome face. His smile was warm and his dark lavender eyes glittered as he nodded slightly to me.

He spoke in a more modern way than Liam or Kennet. “I’m Farrell, Lady Jorrenn’s son. I’ve been sent by Lord Caelen to protect this household until the vampires rise at sunset. I will be here everyday until Liam returns and can resume his duties. Are you Sinclair?”

“No, I’m Bridgett, Jackie’s sister.” I attempted to nod back, not totally sure if I did it right or not.

His expression changed instantly from warm to icy cold, causing frozen fingers to crawl up my spine. The pleasant male of one minute ago had morphed into a much more dangerous stranger. My gut twisted when I realized I was the reason for his change in mood. “I would like to speak to Sinclair. I’ll wait outside for her.” He turned and started to walk through the patio door. I raced to block his exit and his eyes flared with anger at my nerve. He didn’t try to push past me, probably because he didn’t want to get that close.

“Please, Farrell. I know you’re very angry over what I did, but I want you to know I’m going to live up to my agreement with the fae. Liam is going to arrange for me to make a formal apology in person to all the prisoners who’ll allow it.”

Farrell’s expression hadn’t changed, so I lowered my gaze and moved out of his way. He walked outside and stood by the fountain, keeping his back to me. I wanted to crawl back into bed and bury my head under the covers, but instead I started to make breakfast. I knew that Sinc would be up soon and I’d send her out to him. Days were really going to suck with him around.

Rob showed up first so I sent him out to talk to Farrell. I served up French toast with various toppings, along with sliced ham and fresh fruit. I put out the orange juice and the coffee, setting out places for Sinc, Rob, Farrell and, in case she popped by, Elizabeth. Then I made a plate to take upstairs to the den to eat by myself. I didn’t want to ruin everyone’s breakfast.

Sinc was coming down the stairs as I was going up.

“Why aren’t you eating in the kitchen?”

“You’ll see. I’ll be fine up here.” She shrugged and kept going.

An hour later, I went downstairs to load the dishwasher, only to see that Farrell was already doing it. Sinc was at the computer in the living room and Rob was at Garrett’s desk on the phone in his office, which meant we were alone. Farrell had heard me enter, so he faced me and I froze. I didn’t want to deal with his pissed off attitude twice in one morning, so I twisted away.

He spoke to me formally in his rich, musical voice and I turned back. “Bridgett Brownlow, I apologize for acting in such an unfriendly manner toward you. This is your sister’s home and I was wrong not to show you the proper courtesy. I hope—”

“I’m so sorry.” I interrupted him. “If there was anything I could do to change what happened, I would. Liam made me feel what it was like for a fae to be bound in iron.” I shuddered at the memory and he gazed at me thoughtfully. “I didn’t know, but that’s not an excuse. They were locked up and that should have been reason enough for me to call someone.”

He shrugged. “You loved your father and did what he ordered you to do. If my father ordered me to imprison a shifter, I would. I cannot easily forgive what you did, but I will treat you with courtesy and not hostility while we’re together in your sister’s home.” He nodded his head the way the fae do and stretched out his hand. “Thank you for breakfast, Bridgett. I’ll take your plate.”

I smiled shyly when I handed it to him, feeling a thousand percent better than I had an hour ago. The phone rang. “This is Bridgett.”

“Aaron here. I have a message for Garrett. It’s important.”

“Hold on one sec.” I grabbed a pencil and a pad of paper. “Okay, go ahead.”

“We have a report from the North Forest Pack in a southeastern section of Washington State. There’s been some unusual activity in the area. Two goblins were sighted by wolves out on patrol and a report came in of a tall man with golden hair appearing behind a copse of spruce trees at a particularly powerful ley line crossroads. These are the exact coordinates.” He read them off to me and I copied them and read them back.

“Members of the pack had been patrolling their territory when he was sighted.” He told me the names of the wolves involved. “A human body was found nearby. The young woman was completely drained of blood and several of her organs were missing. It’s obvious he’s dabbling in blood magic.”

“Blood magic? Like the witch who took Garrett last month? Miranda?”

“Yes, he kills to feed a spell or to enhance his power,” Aaron answered.

“It’s against all of our laws.” Farrell was standing quietly a few feet away. He’d heard everything. His expression was grim. Kennet was breaking the laws laid down by his own people.

“Is Farrell there?” Aaron asked.

“Yes.”

“Good. I was hoping Caelen would send someone.”

“Is there anything else I should tell Garrett?”

“Tell him I’m heading there with Catherine. We’ll help track the goblins and keep an eye out for Kennett. Franklin will continue to keep in communication with the other packs in the area.”

“I’ll get the message to Garrett right away.”

“He’s resting now,” Aaron said.

“He told me he can wake up to get messages and give orders. Then he crashes out again. Plus, there’s Liam.”

“Seems like he’s left things in good hands.”

“Thanks Aaron.” I was pleased to hear the compliment.

“Get to work.” He hung up. I dialed Garrett’s cell. He answered in two rings and didn’t even sound sleepy. I gave him all the information and heard him writing everything down as I spoke. I hung up after I’d finished so he could do what he needed to do.

Farrell’s glazed expression turned clear again after a few seconds. “I communicated the message to Liam, Brina, Aedus and Lord Caelen.”

“Cool: a fae conference call.” The corners of his mouth twitched but he quickly resumed a neutral expression. He was dressed in jeans and a button down shirt, not exactly fae apparel, but I supposed he wanted to fit in with the rest of us. His dark lavender eyes were sparkling with excitement. He might be enjoying the group effort to capture Kennett.

“Were any of those fae prisoners your friends or your family?” That might explain his anger.

He almost turned away, but then changed his mind. “My lover.” There was real pain in his voice.

“Oh.” I didn’t know what to say.

“Her name is Ashlyn. She was the one who spoke for the group because she was there the longest.” Farrell frowned. “She agreed that you should be spared.”

“I remember her. She looked like an angel.” I could still see her standing there, telling Jackie that I wouldn’t have to die. She’d been in pain, pale and probably hungry, but she stood with pride and spoke with understanding. Shit. I had to do something to make up for this mess. Maybe Kennett’s capture would give them some peace. I thought of everything Jackie might be going through and shivered. I was determined to do whatever I could to get that creep.

Farrell nodded and went back to the dishes. I went off to tell Rob and Sinc about the calls.