Thursday. Ill have Evan get with Mias people on getting you all flown out. Mia was the pilot, a shifter, whod been helping out. I tried to convince Sato to fly with us, but hes insisting on commercial air travel so Ill accompany him back to DC Wednesday evening.
As will I.
Faine hadnt insisted. Hed simply not taken any other idea seriously. He would be at her side. It was his job and that was that. It had been . . . reassuring. Just knowing she had someone at her back had made the situation slightly less unbearable.
I dont like it. Youre not safe. Gage brushed a thumb through his beard.
No. Im not. But thats the point of a guard, Gage. You know it. Hes even less safe. I was able to convince him to go first class at least. Well take up the whole section, which I like.
You cant take a weapon through security.
As Im a senators guard, I can. But its not worth all the hassle, and you know there will be hassle because Im a witch. But Ive got Faine. Hes a weapon. And my magick. The funny thing about magick was that it was a hell of a lot stronger when a witch flew. Something about the atmosphere being thinner. She didnt know all the whys of it, just that while she was on that plane she didnt need a handgun. Shed be stronger than anyone else on board.
Ill speak with him about flying on one of our planes from now on when I see him. Molly looked at her notes a moment.
Hes not going to agree. It will look bad, like hes in our pay or something. Hes got enough to deal with.
You seem to know him pretty well. Gage lifted a brow.
He likes her. Faine lifted his own in Gages direction and the two shared a look.
Hes a man with principles. Its logical. Also, its sort of my job to know people.
Molly snorted. It seems that many men are not entirely reasonable when it comes to Toshio Sato.
Why? Because hes hot, intelligent and powerful? Helena laughed and Molly joined in.
Come on. Our tea has been consumed. Helena, you need to rest. I know Molly does too. Lets get to bed. Tomorrow is a long day. Gage clearly wanted to be done with the subject.
And bed sounded really good, so she allowed it.
They all headed back to where the rooms were, Gage and Molly disappearing into theirs. Faine continued to walk her to her door. He knew she didnt need it, heaven knew she was utterly capable of protecting herself.
And yet.
He liked being around her. Liked watching over her, even if to just remove a tiny bit of the weight she always seemed to carry for everyone else.
She opened her door and he leaned against the jamb. Startled, she looked up at him, smiling nervously. Thanks for your help today. I got a lot of work done because you did all the driving.
Its my job. But it was also my pleasure. Do you plan to work out tomorrow morning?
She nodded. Ill get up at six or so. Theres a workout space here. Ill run a few miles on the treadmill and then hit the shooting range. She lifted one shoulder.
If you dont mind, come get me. I need to work out as well.
Sure. And we can leave from there. If you like, I mean. Since youre on my personal detail. Itll be good to have you with me. Just the sight of you will keep the violence-on-a-whim people back. Her smile was genuine and maybe even a touch flirtatious.
Hed shifted closer and she hadnt moved back. The tension between them heated, simmering as the scent of her blush reached his senses. She licked her lips and the scent of loam and fur rose.
Her eyes widened and she faltered a moment, and Faine knew his control had slipped. But shed talked weapons, praised his size and then licked those damnable lips. A Lycian could only take so much.
My beast. He pondered whether he should continue. If he should explain to her how much the warrior she was called to him. She was so very strong, and yet, frayed at the edges. Fragile at times. Which was even more irresistible.
Oh. She blinked several times. Should I be worried?
He bent, brushing his lips over hers, savoring the heat of her before he stood again, taking a step back. Not for your safety. Good night, Helena. Ill see you in the morning.
He left her there, but not before he caught sight of the way she pressed her fingertips to her lips.
* * *
SHE woke up without an alarm, at six. Pretty much the same way she had most every morning of her adult life. She lay in bed awhile and thought about her day. It was her way of meditating, of getting herself organized for the hoursand the challengesshe faced.
The meetings would be stressful because the state capital was so crowded. Mainly it was state business handled there. Sato had a senatorial office near the capitol building where he met with his constituents and held meetings. But due to the insanity of the security concerns, his people worked with the state folks and theyd let them use their conference spaces, even for federal issues. Of course the hearings they were going to dealt with State of California business, so Sato would only be there if they needed him to speak on federal issues.
It was mind-blowing, all the different local, county, state and federal issues they drowned in. So many different egos to soothe, everyone had their own turf, their own rules to adhere to, their own processes. At least all Helena needed to do was be sure no one got hurt. All the politics were Mollys problem.
She pushed out of bed. A hard workout would help cut through some of the stress burning through her muscles. Shed run and lift weights and shoot at things and then shed shower. By the time they needed to head over to Satos office to pick him up, shed be in a better mental space for all the things shed need to do that day.
She got dressed quickly, dealing with her hair, securing it in a ponytail after shed washed her face and brushed her teeth. Her sneakers were on and she headed across the hall to knock on Faines door.
Faine.
Hed kissed her. Had gotten up in her face and kissed her. Her mouth still felt the touch, the brush of his lips against hers. The dirty truth was that shed been hot for Faine Leviathan from the first moment shed seen him. He was everything shed never known she found alluring in a man.
Shed been standing with Lark talking about the hows and whys of a speaking event with Molly and hed come around a corner with Simon. The two were clearly brothers, both dressed quite nattily in suits. But Faine was eleven thousand kinds of delicious. He moved in a long lope, and yet there was a predators grace in him. People got out of his way, probably without even realizing it. Hed smiled as Simon had spoken, and then his gaze, which had been taking in the surroundings, had landed on Helenas and it shocked her to her toes.
It had only deepened the longer she knew him.
Cocky. Self-assured. He knew what he wanted and he simply considered it his due when he got it. He was a badass with his fists. Shed never seen him shift, but she had the feeling he was a big ol beast then too. He was gorgeous and his voice was a low, gravelly rumble she felt in her gut every time he spoke.
He watched her, shed noticed, like a predator watches prey. Not the same way the human separatists watched her. It wasnt that he thought less of her in any way. But like she fascinated him and he was taking down everything she did for when he decided to run her to ground.
She bet he was the type to bite a girls neck to hold her in place when he got her into bed.
A flash of heat raced over her skin at the idea.
So of course, thats when he opened his door. Well, good morning to you, Helena. One of his brows went up like he knew shed just been imagining him naked and sexing her up until she passed out.
She blew out a breath. Morning. Ready to run?
Yes, I am.
Chapter 6
THESE things are not allowed in the hearing room. A burly human maleobviously a private guard of some typeblocked her way.
Theyd spent the day before in one meeting after the next all over the capitol complex. That day they ventured into a town-hall-type space near Satos Federal Building office.
So this joker, with his prison white-power ink and his permanent scowl that said more about his lack of intelligence than his toughness, had no business at all stopping her entry to any public space.
Tosh was right behind her, Sperry on his other side. Fanned out in the hallway was the rest of the group with their various guards. It was monumentally stupid for this guy to think he had any chance at all of stopping them.
Helena ignored him, moving to go around him. And he made the mistake of touching her. I said
She grabbed his wrist, twisting and bending it, levering his arm, forcing him to his knees. She leaned down, getting close enough to say in a low tone, laced with magick, I dont give a fuck what you said other than, Please let me get the door for you, maam.
He began to grab for a weapon and she bent his wrist harder. Just a bit more and shed break something.
I wouldnt recommend that.
Get off me, bitch.
Helena kept his wrist, though other security had begun to gather around. Harsh, whispered orders were being given all around her but she put all her focus on this asshole at her feet.
One thing she noticed more than anything else was the presence of a handgun at his back. Shed had to go through a full-body pat-down and a metal detector. So how was it this asshole had a gun?
Why does this man have a weapon? Straightening, still keeping her tight hold on him, she managed to ask this calmly, feeling anything but.
You need to let him go. Now. A police officer approached.
She remained exactly where she was, keeping her body between the approaching cop and Senator Sato. My name is Helena Jaansen and I am part of Senator Satos security detail. This man accosted me as I attempted to enter the hearing room. Im going to need one of you to come and take his weapon before I let him go. For the safety of myself and the people Im guarding.
You dont give the orders here, witch. The cops lip curled and she narrowed her gaze at him for a moment.
Helena centered herself, connecting with her magick, spooling more up from the earth beneath her feet. This isnt going to end well, Officer. Now. You can do your job, or I will break this mans wrist, and even if you shoot me, my people will take out every last one of you in this hallway. And for what? Im not letting this man go. Hes got a weapon and Im protecting a United States senator. Once you have taken his weapon, I will happily let him go.
She caught Gages attention and he had the same readiness about him.
It was Tosh who spoke next. Pulling all his authority around himself, but keeping himself behind her, which was very smart.
Officer, youre going to need to help Ms. Jaansen immediately. Remove the weapon from the gentleman on the ground, pat him down and then you may take him into custody.
The cop sighed, but moved to obey, removing the gun. Helena let go of the wrist of the guy on the ground and he tried to lunge at her. But she was prepared and far more than a prison thug in the pay of asshole bigots.
Feet solidly planted, her balance braced for trouble, she cocked her fist and gave him a solid right to his mouth, sending him sprawling as she neatly stepped back.
Ill give you another if you move even a tiny bit. She didnt take her attention from the guy on the ground but she addressed the cop as more streamed into the hallway. If I were your boss, youd be sitting out the next few weeks on administrative leave as you went through the process of getting fired. Youre sloppy. Sloppy gets people killed.
I dont need any advice from you.
Please. She rolled her eyes as the cop got the other guy in cuffs and hauled him to his feet. Of the two of us, only one is good at their job. And its not you. I hope you think your stupidity can protect you, because your piss-poor training sure wont.
She glanced back at her people and then headed into the room where it was already standing-room only.
* * *
THE following day, Tosh smiled at the sight of Helena coming back into the room. Thank you for all your help this trip. I hope DC will be calmer.
Delilah laughed. I doubt that. But, Helena, I believe you scared a few years life from that one cop in the hallway earlier. Nicely done.
The sound of that laugh did things to him. Hed been working closely with Delilah Sperry for months now. Even before he knew she was a werewolf hed been attracted to her. She was long and lean with keen eyes that missed absolutely nothing. Her hair was a tawny gold and she often had it back from a face that managed to be delicate and bold all at once.
Theyd danced around each other for a few months now. Tosh had been so busy at what felt like every single moment of his waking day, hed told himself it wasnt the time.
But the heightened danger had only sharpened his hunger for the delightfully sexy, canny and powerful Senator Delilah Sperry.
He should have been scared. If hed have been one of my people Id have busted him back to cleaning toilets. We did meet with his boss later while you two were in another meeting with Molly. He apologized for the past two days worth of unpleasantness from his officers. Helena took the glass of water his assistant handed her. Theyre short-staffed like everyone else. But he was a good man and I accepted his apology. Theyve got their own problems in the ranks, I suppose.
Helena was distracted. And exhausted. Tosh saw it around her edges and hoped the way Faine stared at her meant the wolfwhatever he waswould see to it she got some rest.
I appreciate you handling that. Ben was just singing your praises earlier today. Delilah spoke of Ben Stoner of the Great Lakes Pack and her own Alpha, as she hailed from Chicago. We appreciate all the effort the witches are putting into this. Youre smart and strong and were proud to be protected by you all.
Helena tipped her chin slightly and Toshio knew it was a sign of thanks and respect. Thats a nice thing to hear. His and Tegans Enforcer team is something I admire a great deal. We should get moving to the airport now. Ive received several reports that Others can get hassled quite a bit going through security so we should build in the extra time. Im spoiled in that Ive been flying privately of late, so Ive been able to avoid most of that nonsense.
Delilahs mouth hardened. The last time I flew I was chosen for an enhanced pat-down. They held me up for an entire hour. Everything was fine until they ran my ticket through. Ive asked about whether or not theres some sort of TSA tracking system for Others, but I cant get any answers. Which only says there is one.
Helena nodded. Oh yes, you know theres a list.
That turned Toshs stomach. Lists of Others got very close to what had happened over and over throughout history. Keeping track of people because they were differentand not in a way that protects society like lists of sex offenders or violent felonswasnt the America he believed in.
Im sorry. He sighed.
Helena shrugged. Youre trying to stop it. Thats what counts. In the meantime, we cant make a huge deal of it or we get picked on even worse. Theyve got so much power these days that even raising this treatment as an issue while its occurring is cause for them to not let someone fly. So for now, we plan ahead and document everything.
Doesnt mean we have to like it. Delilah stood, brushing the front of her skirt down. But shes right. Lets get moving. Id like to sleep in my own bed tonight and we all need the rest before we deal with Marlon tomorrow.
Tosh nearly snarled at his fellow senators name. Marlon Hayes had become a legislative mouthpiece for the PURITY movement and it turned his stomach every time he had to deal with the man. Thered be a hearing first thing in the morning on the companion bill to House Bill 877, the Domestic Security Act. A fine-sounding name for a bill that would strip Others of their civil and human rights along with their property and citizenship.
At least they got to move through security in a shorter line, but Helena was pulled aside for an enhanced check, which took an extra half hour. She was far more patient than he was, and it wasnt until he started making calls and taking down names that things moved more quickly. They still checked her, but the overt slowing down of the process stopped and they got on with it.
The unfairness of it deeply bothered him. No one should be treated this way and yet it was happening. It happened every day to many people. And it wasnt right.
He was relieved when they finally boarded and got settled in. The flight attendants were friendly and helpful and he was seated next to Delilah. It did wonders for his mood.
The entire flight Tosh considered ways to ask Delilah over for a drink when they arrived back in DC. But things kept coming up. He got interrupted by his aide many times over. The times he spoke to Delilah they were in a group and it wasnt the right place to ask.
And by the time they landed he was so tired his eyes burned and all he could think about was a hot shower and a good nights sleep. Still, hed made a decision to move forward and, that done, he rarely lost sight of something hed set his mind to do. Within the next two days he would ask Delilah over for a drink. He could do this. It was long past time.
* * *
THE plane touched down and Helena managed to get everyone into a car and safely delivered to their Washington, DC, homes, where they all had personal security, and she and Faine joined the rest of the Others at a huge house owned by the National Pack.
You should go to sleep. Faine shouldered her bag once theyd entered the front gates and she let him. Too tired to refuse.
Im surprised there arent any protesters.
I suppose they may not know this location is Other-owned yet. Are you even listening? Youre dead on your feet. As usual. You should rest.
She grinned at the agitation in his voice, for some reason cheered by needling him. Stupid, really, to poke at a giant beast wearing a mans skin. But she liked to live dangerously. No. Come on. Im hungry.
He frowned at her, but followed her into the house where the magick of all the Others inside greeted his senses, easing his tension.
Its so nice to be in a friendly space. He watched as the frown lines around her eyes eased back and that made him feel better.
I was just thinking that.
Molly got up as they entered the main living room. Hello, you two. Glad you got in all right. Come on upstairs. Ill show you your rooms and you can put your bags down.
They followed her up the stairs and down a long hallway to the end. Molly turned to Helena. I put you facing the courtyard. The plants out there make me feel better. I figured youd think so as well.
The room was nice sized and had an en suite bathroom.
Faine is on the other side.
He nodded. Thank you, Molly. He turned to Helena. Ill be back in a moment and then you and I are eating some dinner.
Theres a huge kitchen here. Cade Warden sent a chef down so theres a lot of food as well. Are you all right?
Its been a challenging day, Faine said as he came back into Helenas bedroom. We were chosen for an enhanced search at the airport. There was a fight between three security people, one of whom was an asshole but the other two, also human, were not. Sato had to intervene and make calls to get it moved along. The plane trip was long, but thankfully, as we took up the entire first-class cabin, we didnt have to deal with much animosity.
Molly looked to Helena. But you felt it.
Helena nodded, pressing her fingers to her temples.
You can feel it? He pushed his anger that she hadnt said so down as far as he could. She wasnt a natural sharer, this one, but he wanted her to lighten her damned load with him sometimes just the same.
It was Molly who spoke to explain. A lot of negative energy, especially when its aimed at you and youre in a confined space, is toxic. Planes tend to amplify our magick as well, so its a one-two punch. Molly took Helenas hands. Why dont you go out into the courtyard for a recharge? Ill let the chef know youll be eating in a few minutes. But clear out all that bad energy, youll feel better and the food will go down easier too.
Faine wanted to scoop her up and cosset her. He had no idea all the dirty looks and nasty comments people made under their breath would affect her like that.
Is it all right if I come along?
Helena shrugged. Sure.
Molly took them down a back staircaseslowly and carefully in her walking castand showed them through large French doors into an enclosed courtyard, full of life. Container gardens spilled with plants and flowers.
Gage and I are in the living room watching movies when youre ready. Molly hugged Helena and then Faine and went back inside.
Faine settled on a bench and watched as Helena took her shoes and socks off, along with her sweater, leaving her in a T-shirt that showed the whipcord strength of her upper body. She freed her hair from the bun shed been wearing, running her fingers through it as she did.
Then she wandered through the path, letting her outstretched fingertips brush over the plants, against the bark of the trees, through the rushing water of the water feature. She stepped up and then down into the bed of a large garden space.
He saw it then, the light of her aura as she drew all the magick around her. It settled against her skin like snowflakes and then seemed to melt into her. She breathed slow and deep as she walked. Occasionally shed pause, burying her face in a bunch of leaves or flowers.
This side of her was soft. Lush and so achingly intimate it was as if hed been spying on her. But shed allowed it. Moved around knowing he was there watching.
A gift of her inner life and the weight of that settled. Not crushing. Anchoring.
Shed been sort of tattered when theyd arrived. Her spine hunched, the tension rolling from her in waves. But when she came back to him, settling next to him on the bench, that was gone. Her ragged spaces seemed to have filled in. Her aura was brilliant, sunny yellow, the blue of the sky at summer.
She stretched. This garden is fantastic. Whoever tends it does so with love. Every leaf seems to vibrate with it.
You can feel things like that?
Not always. But living things most especially. My mother says we get it through her. Lark is much the same, though shes got this crazy affinity with birds. Weve always loved being outdoors. Theres so much ambient magick in a garden. If its tended by someone who truly loves the work, the magick seems to leap to you when you call for it. The energy, the life force of the plant life fills in all your empty spots. I dont know how to explain it.
Seems to me youre doing just fine.
I have a lot of plants in my apartment, but at the house I used to share with Lark, we had an inner courtyard like this and it was full of plants. After crazy shifts wed often just sit out there and have a glass of wine, letting all the bad business wisp away. My mother is a big gardener. She loves it. All the stuff from her teas comes from her gardens at their house. I guess we do get it from her, though Im not that gifted with green things. Shes special that way.
He smiled. Thank you.
For what? She clearly had no idea.
For letting me share in this with you. This private side of yourself.
Oh. Well. I figured youd find something restorative out here too. Shifters have that connection with nature as well. Different, but its there.
He snorted. Im not a shifter.
She turned, a mischievous grin on her lips, and his heart lightened.
Youre human and you shift into a wolf.
You enjoy poking at me, dont you?
She raised a brow, but said nothing else and he chuckled.
Im Lycian. I am a beast who wears a mans skin sometimes. And other times I wear fur. But I am always who I am, no matter the skin I wear. I do not need the moon or the tides. If I bit you, youd bleed, but you wouldnt be infected.
Did I insult you? Her levity was gone, her question genuine.
He snorted a laugh and took her hand, squeezing it a moment. No. Were related in a distant manner, to shifters. But we are not the same.
Thank you for educating me. Theres so much I dont know about everything out there in the universe. I thought I did until the Magister. Not knowing things makes me nervous.
Theres so much out there. Miraculous things.
I envy you that knowledge.
I can share it with you. If you like. I already said wed go to Lycia when theres a lull of a few days. There are other places. Beyond the Veil, I mean. I can part it, we can travel so you can see it all.
Id really like that.
And so hed make it happen.
Her stomach growled. Shall we go in and eat?
He leaned in close. After.
After?
He reached out, cupping the back of her neck as he brushed his lips over hers. Hed intended a brief kiss, but she opened, sighing into him. Once that breath entered his system there was nothing brief about it.
He sank into her mouth, sliding his tongue over her juicy bottom lip and then inside, tasting the sweetness of her, the spice of her magick as it rose against him, twining around his.
Loam and fur, sun-dappled leaves and the lap of a lake against the shore filled him. Her magick, snowflakes and pomegranate slid around it. They were opposites and yet complementary.
Something clicked in him. An utter surety that hed felt rarely enough that he trusted it to his toes.
He took her hand, squeezing it as he pulled away.
She nipped his bottom lip and he was back for more, deepening, his tongue dancing with hers. The sounds of the night all around them began to filter through the heat of their kiss. Of traffic on the street, voices just inside the house, the merrily running water just a few feet away.
When he broke the kiss, it was only because he knew there would be more.
Laughter sounded from inside and she smiled. Lets go in.
He stood and she took his outstretched hand, letting him pull her up.
Chapter 7
SO, you want to talk about anything? Molly tried to hide her smile when she sidled up to Helena as they both filled their plates at breakfast.
You scare me. Its so early and youre so perky. I do, however, covet that blouse.
Molly preened a little. Its so nice to be around someone else who loves clothes as much as I do. Also? Fifty percent off. Sale rack. It was missing a button, but I can sew enough for that.
Nice score. The color is good on you. It was true, Mollys coloring worked well with the deep blue of the silk.
Thanks. One of these days Im going to take you shopping with me so you can show me all the places I can find clothes with enough pockets to hide weapons.
Helena laughed. You have Gage. You dont need to hide weapons.
He does come in handy. Molly blushed. I have no idea how you manage to look like youve walked out of an ad for designer clothes when I know youve got guns and knives on your person, and youll still be able to run and kick people in the face.
They moved to the table and sipped coffee.
Its a gift. Helena winked. It is hard to find pants cut right for ease of face-kicking though. The thing is, magick is easier to use, I dont need special clothes for it and its free. Unfortunately, when Im doing four things at once, a nice face kick clears the decks for me to do other things and not run my power down. Plus? Its really satisfying to kick a jackwagon in the face.