Chapter Fifteen
I’d gotten to them just before dawn, exhausted and relieved that I hadn’t had to dig myself a hole in the ground for the day. They’d prepared a comfortable place for me to rest in the basement of a large house situated on a remote road.
Bridgett’s call came through at 9 a.m. I took notes, then called Ethan, who was already out patrolling with Kyle, and told them to tell Angel what Aaron had learned. I gave them instructions to head to the coordinates and search for goblin activity and also keep an eye out for Kennett. Farrell would let the fae know. I closed my eyes again.
I don’t usually dream, but today was an exception. I thought perhaps the interruption in my sleep was the cause, but soon learned differently.
I was standing in a foggy clearing surrounded on three sides by redwood, spruce and Douglas fir trees. An unfamiliar male voice spoke to me. “A gift for you, vampire. Pay attention.”
My sensitive ears picked up the distant bark of sea lions and the crashing of waves against the shore. But in addition to the salty, woodsy scent I expected in such a place, Jackie’s wildflower scent permeated the clearing. I searched for her, calling out, “Jackie, I’m here.” She arrived in cheetah form, licking then nuzzling my hand when I reached out to touch her. She leapt into a nearby tree, climbing higher and higher. I tried to climb after her, but the tree trunk had become slippery and I couldn’t get a good grasp.
Her cheetah didn’t appear to be nervous about the height and had managed to crawl out to the end of a branch. When she reached the very tip she changed into my Jackie, lovely and unhurt. She looked down at me and smiled.
“I have an ally and there is hope.” She disappeared once more.
When I woke around 3:00 o’clock I felt refreshed, and famished. The dream had given me a good feeling about the success of our search and I decided to talk to Liam about it. I stretched my shoulders, legs and back to see what damage I’d done. I’d never attempted running over such a great distance in such a short amount of time, but I didn’t seem weaker from the experience. I took a shower and made coffee.
Several addresses had been left for me on the kitchen table, the note beside them explaining they belonged to several young women who had volunteered to be donors. I went to the closest house. Cyndi was a leopard who worked as a waitress and told me she liked to play the piano. I’d send her something appropriate after I got back and had time to mull it over, probably enlisting Jackie’s help. This dropping-in-on-a-donor arrangement was awkward because I didn’t know Cyndi and she didn’t know me. Still it was a lot better than searching for someone appropriate at a local vamp bar and consequently being seen in the area. Without this arrangement I’d be forced to take energy from a random shifter, but if it was a matter of survival, I would do what I had to do and feel guilty later, making certain never to do them harm.
After I’d fed, I returned to the house and waited for Liam, Brina and Aedus who were following up another lead.
They arrived thirty minutes later followed by Ethan and Kyle, who’d been whisked back and forth through the lines by the others.
“Hey the gang’s all here.” Kyle looked exhausted as he sunk down into the cushions of the couch. Apparently we were all staying in the one house, which worked out best for me as long as we were discreet. Attracting curious neighbors was never a good idea.
I looked closely at my team. “Have you and Ethan been sleeping and eating enough?”
“Sure,” Ethan croaked out. He looked even worse than Kyle.
“How about the three of you?” Aedus, Brina and Liam had parked their tired bodies in various chairs scattered around the room.
“I believe I consumed a meal yesterday,” Aedus answered with a weak smile.
“Is there any food in the freezer? The refrigerator was empty.” I turned to look at Liam.
He answered with a sigh. “Not really. We do have dog food for Samson. Angel and Samson are out together scouting around. Angel always seems to get enough to eat and plenty of sleep.”
Kyle snorted. “Yeah, he’s a real team player.”
“I’ll be back in twenty minutes with food. “My vamp speed came in handy once again as I hit the local supermarket then scrubbed some memories on the way out. I was back in the house in fifteen minutes and had eggs, bacon and hash browned potatoes dished out on their plates in another fifteen. As they gobbled down the food, I thought about how fortunate I was to have such incredible people in my life.
I ran my hand distractedly through my hair. Jackie would always laugh and tell me I looked like a soap opera star in the middle of some overly dramatic scene when I made this gesture. I could see her face so clearly: her green eyes shining with laughter, her lovely mouth turned up in a grin, her thick blonde hair falling into her eyes when she teased me.
I stood suddenly and walked outside, taking in a few deep breaths to steady myself. I lowered my body onto a wooden bench that faced the woods. Liam sat down next to me as I wiped away the wetness on my face with my sleeve. He put his hand on my shoulder and I lifted my eyes to meet his. “She’s alive and we’re going to find her. I swear this to you Garrett.”
“I believe that. It’s just...she’s been through so much in her short life. And I promised her that he’d never... I promised her.” I wiped away another tear. “Fuck. Some powerful warrior.” I wasn’t helping her with my bout of self-pity so I took another deep breath and strengthened my resolve. We would find her. She wasn’t dead. She—wasn’t—dead! Anything else we could get through together.
“Close your eyes, Garrett.” I did what he said and felt energy moving through my body, calming me: Liam’s version of healing. I visualized myself on Jackie’s cliff, the two of us smiling together, her arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I tried to freeze-frame the picture in my mind, holding her like that forever. The sun beat against my face and the salty spray of the magical sea stretched out below.
I heard Liam’s voice. “You’ll get her back and have many lifetimes together. But when the time comes for you to pass on, you’ll find each other here on her cliff. This place is the heart of you both. Search for her here. Then you’ll be together for all time.”
I opened my eyes, feeling much more relaxed. Liam’s violet eyes were sad when he spoke from his heart. “You know I love her. But her heart belongs only to you, as it was meant to be. I’m grateful to have you as friends and I’ll protect you both with my life. It is an honor to do so.”
“Liam…”
He held up a hand. “I walk a line between fae and human that I sometimes feel unable to navigate. Your friendship and Jackie’s friendship makes it possible for me.” A stray tear traveled slowly down Liam’s face. After a second, we both broke out in laughter. Two powerful warriors crying in the backyard. If Sash or Rick had been around, they’d never let us live it down.
“Thank you, Liam. You’re my brother, in every way that matters.”