Faine seems to be all right with the physical stuff I do. He helps kick ass when I need it. But today he was so mad at me. I bled all over him and he never batted an eye. I bet the shirt I ruined cost more than I make in a month. He gets personally offended when Im run-down and I think he and Mom might be uniting to keep me drinking all her potions and stuff.
Mom loves Simon. As for sudden. Lark took a deep breath. Look, I was freaked out when Simon first started all this love stuff. He took me to Lycia and all this Neest talk came up. I denied it for a while, and to be honest, I needed the time to process. But in my gut, I knew he was it. He told me that I wasnt human and that I lived in a world of magick and what I believed even though I couldnt see it, and why not believe I could love him? He was right. Ive never been so convinced of anything in my life than how I feel about him. And since the bond? I dont need a man to be complete and neither do you. But he makes me whole in a way I never could have imagined before he came along. Hes everything. Lark shrugged. Plus, sudden? Come on. I know he kissed you before.
Well, yes, he did. They were fabulous kisses. But what we did today? Well, thats a whole different level.
Youre scared.
Helena looked out over the hills beyond, at the sway of the treetops in the breeze. The stars were out and she wondered if the sky looked different in Lycia.
I have so many people depending on me right now. I cant afford to make any more mistakes.
You dont have to bond with him tomorrow. Though, if I know Faine and hes enough like his brother, hell want that eventually. As for mistakes . . .
I cant. I cannot talk about it anymore. Ive had a challenging day. Im barely holding it together and if you make me talk about the haven, Ill lose it.
You can cut yourself a damned break for once in your life.
No, not now. She pushed from the bed and Lark moved to her, pulling her into a hug.
You could have died today. Please dont do that. I dont know what Id do without you.
Helena returned her sisters hug. Holding on to what shed always counted on.
They went out to the deck where both men waited. The scent of food made Helenas stomach growl.
Come on then, lets get you fed. Faine moved to her, putting an arm around her shoulder, and she didnt mind one bit, which seemed odd, but whatever.
They settled at the table. The air was cool and she was glad shed taken Lark up on the offer of the sweatshirt that currently shielded her from the breeze.
Food got passed around and all was quiet for several minutes as everyone filled up.
Are you patrolling tonight? Helena sipped her tea as she spoke to her sister.
Not tonight. I took it off when I knew youd be here. I figured youd want to go out with me and then Id have to be the bad cop and make you stay in and I really wanted to hang out with you instead and make you rest.
I endorse that. Faine leaned back, his body radiating heat.
Me as well. Simon gave his brother a nod of solidarity.
Helena rolled her eyes. Im fine.
Lark waved a hand. No, you arent. I saw you change clothes. You have bruises on your torso from the concussion of the blast.
But thats all I have. Ill take bruises over being blown to bits in a car bomb.
Larks mouth hardened. We cant let this go unanswered.
Helena blew out a breath. Rebecca is so angry. Ive never seen her like this. I sat in on a meeting she had with the Full Council. Theyre done with diplomacy. Ive been officially pulled from Sato. She has a meeting in an hour or so with the other leaders. She said shed call me when it shook out.
Helena was silent for a while. I recommended the creation of a defense force.
Lark nodded. That would be my recommendation as well.
We need a presence out there. We need the humans to get a physical idea that we are here and we will defend ourselves. Patrols. That sort of thing.
I think the wolves would be up for that. I dont know about the Vampires. Theyve already declared war on the humans. Its just been in a holding pattern while we tried out this road show. Larks gaze locked to her sisters. The road show was a good idea.
Helena forked up some steak. Sure. But we cant do it all on our own. Yes, there are humans like Tosh and maybe more of them than those like Carlo Powers. But the fact is, weve been targeted with violence time and time again. Weve tried diplomacy. Molly delivered her speech and warned them, and now its time to follow up the talk with action.
How about a run first? Simon and Faine can shift and you and I can do a nice hard jog to get rid of all the days tension. Youll sleep like a rock tonight. We can do it and be back here by the time Rebecca is finished with her meeting. We can even use the hot tub afterward.
Oooh, youve got a deal.
They finished eating and headed back to their rooms to change. Or rather, Helena needed to change but Simon and Faine wouldnt need clothes to shift. Not that that would stop him from coming along to watch her change like a big ol perv.
She hadnt seen him in his other form yet and she was looking forward to it.
His gaze narrowed as she winced when she pulled her running bra on.
It makes me want to rip someones throat out to see you in pain.
He stepped to her, gently sliding his fingertips over her skin.
Im all right. But if you mean to stick around, you need to know this isnt the last time youre going to see me bruised up.
Im not going anywhere. He kissed her long and slow. But I still want to rip someones throat out for harming you.
He took her hand and she followed him out to the deck where Lark and Simon waited.
Both males had on shorts, which they discarded once they reached the treeline.
Helena used her magick to amp up her night vision and let the trees, the dirt and leaves, all the plants speak to her. All that magick seemed to flow around them like the tide.
Faine bent and the air seemed to shimmer and then he was gone. Or the human was gone and there stood a massive wolf-like beast. His shoulders nearly reached hers.
Wow. Youre huge.
He rumbled, pressing against her as she ran her hand through his fur, which was surprisingly soft. He looked back at her, still Faine, still shining with intelligence.
Should we run?
He tore out ahead, Simon following, nipping his brothers heels, pulling ahead.
Theyre going to do that awhile. Lets go. Lark started, her steps sure and fast on the trail.
No fair! This is home field advantage.
In the distance, Lark flipped her the bird and kept running. Helena got her ass moving, hurrying to catch up.
Faine felt trouble before he saw it. There was joy. Clan and pack togetherness. Running with his brother, his Neest near enough to scent on the wind.
It was good.
And then the jarring change. Steel. Man-made things in a wild space. Gun oil. Black powder but something else. He growled and slowed. Simon was adjusting, slowing and moving back, Faine knew, to be sure Lark and Helena were covered.
There were No Hunting signs all around the property and it was May, the only hunting allowed around the area was turkey. He doubted it was a law-breaking turkey hunter whod sent the hackles on his neck rising.
To his right.
Faine slowed and got low, moving with more stealth than anyone watching ever could have imagined possible from an animal so large.
His beast sensed a threat to his mate. An incursion onto protected land. Neither could be borne.
The thread Helena was at the other end of hummed. She was close, but concentrating. His beast was not worried. She was exemplary. A fine mate, canny and vicious.
Theyd hunt this interloper together.
Simon moved off to the left, flanking the intruder.
A burst of sound as the human realized he was surrounded by two huge beasts with sharp teeth and claws. A scream and then running, night birds breaking into flight, a beacon to where the human was.
Helena and Lark streaked off, clearly as comfortable hunting with each other as Faine and Simon were.
He growled and snarled, taking off, Simon bounding ahead and east.
It was another several minutes until they reached a trail.
Helena bent, her hand on a tire track. Her magick flowed through the space.
Faine edged next to her, pressing against her as he bent to scent the area. The other thing hed smelled back near the house had been silver.
He pushed her, getting her attention.
What? Her voice was low, her gaze moving around, vigilant.
He jerked his head back in the direction of the house.
No. We should track this vehicle out to the main road.
We cant catch him. Not at this point, Lark said as she came back to them. Simon is running ahead to see, but chances are, once they hit the pavement they took off and wont look back. Seems they pissed their pants at the sight of a big giant
Her voice was drowned out by the sound of a huge explosion. The ground shook beneath Faines paws and he knocked both women down, keeping them beneath his body.
Simon came tearing back up the trail, teeth bared. He skidded to a stop, sniffing and poking at Lark until she grunted, sitting up. Faine moved back.
Something blew up. Lets go see what it was.
But Faine had a feeling he knew exactly what it was.
* * *
HELENA let him lead. It wasnt like she could keep up with him anyway. At full speed shed never seen anything faster. Not in person. And Simon? When hed come back after the explosion? He was a blur of movement, of shining, sharp bared teeth and bunched muscle that had made the span of his shoulders so wide it had sent a ribbon of fear though her.
Helena had faced rogue werewolves and had been fucked up a time or two. But if shed ever bumped into a Lycian who meant her harm, shed have been long in the grave.
Still, it didnt help the sense of dread as the glow in the sky grew. The scent of burning wood choked the beauty of the pine needles shed been breathing in only minutes before, and when they got to the top of the rise, Faine waited, the shorts hed pulled off before hed shifted were on again.
Im sorry.
Lark started forward and Helena grabbed her hand, moving with her.
Just ahead was their beautiful home, engulfed in a raging fire, the front of it blown off.
Oh my god. Lark clapped her free hand over her mouth and Helena put an arm around her as they watched. Simon had been taking up the rear, guarding them, but hed shifted back and pulled Lark into his arms.
Youre okay. Im okay. Helena and Faine are okay. Its just stuff. It can be rebuilt. You cant be replaced, Pixie. A house can be.
Lark cried, burying her face in Simons chest, and Faine stood behind Helena, pulling her back against his body, wrapping his arms around her.
We need to call the fire department. And Meriel.
The cars were in the garage. All our stuff was in the house, including the cell phones. Larks voice was numb.
Helena would do what she could to make things better. Ill go to the house down the hill to call. Its only half a mile or so. Ill be back as soon as I can.
Youre not going anywhere. Faine kept his hold on her.
You dont have any clothes on. Youre nearly seven feet tall. No one is going to want to answer the door if you come with me. Ill be back. You can trail me from the treeline if you like.
He turned her slowly. Youd let me do that?
Surprised, she cocked her head. Lark and Simons house just got blown up. Im sure youre concerned the people at the house down the road might be in danger, or the perpetrators who did this could be hiding between here and there. Ill need the backup. I dont have any weapons on me, or a phone, and my magick is depleted. She shrugged. It makes sense.
Faine, keep an eye on her. Kill anyone who looks at her the wrong way. You got me?
Helena had never heard Simons voice that way. His beast must have been very close to the surface. His magick seemed to spark against his skin, hot and full of rage.
She took Larks hand. Ill be back as soon as I can.
Faine shifted again and they ran to the road and then he watched from the trees as she kept to the road.
The neighbors were agitated at first to have been woken up, but once she explained that she needed them to call 911, that their house was on fire and everything was inside, including her phone, they invited her inside where she made the call and also notified Meriel, who said shed send someone over immediately and urged them to stay safe.
They invited her to stay until the fire trucks arrived, but she explained her sister and brother-in-law were waiting. The neighbors kindly sent her back with a thermos of hot tea and sweaters.
And a reminder that not all humans were like the ones whod blown her sisters home up.
Chapter 12
HELENA moved through the office with singular purpose. Shed flown back to Los Angeles and would be heading back to Seattle in only a few hours to meet with the full Council of Others. This time shed be addressing the new military arm of the COO.
The FBI was still at Larks. Still sifting through the smoking rubble looking for clues. Anderson had come out to oversee everything himself. Lark had spent the night across the hall from Faine and Helena at the hotel where the Clan put up out-of-town visitors.
Lark had left first thing upon waking to head back to the house. Simon had gone as well, which at least made Helena feel better knowing her sister would have some backup if she needed it.
But it was Rain Jaansen who stepped out of the warren-like maze of cubbies, offices and conference rooms that held the Gennessee Hunter Corps.
Her mother caught sight of her and, with a happy cry, pulled Helena into her arms, hugging her tight as she murmured endearments. Then she pushed back with surprising strength, shaking her daughter once, hard. Oh my goddess! You could have been killed! You and your sister are going to be the death of me yet. How could you do that? How could you throw yourself and your magick in front of a bomb? A bomb, Helena Marie? By that point Rain was weeping and Helena just pulled her mother back into her arms.
Im all right. See? I even drank gallons of your tea. I swear. There were even witnesses.
Her mother kept on, the words tumbling from her mouth like a hard rain. And your sisters house was blown up? How much do you expect me and Dad to take? Why cant you two do something safe for a living? Nice and safe with no bombs and no guns and no one wanting to kill you? Be a travel agent or a high school gym teacher.
Thats not her path, Rain. Her father joined them in the hallway, pausing to kiss Helenas temple. Your daughters are meant for great things. Theyre protectors and we just have to believe in their skill and their training.
He hugged Helena and whispered. You scared the hell out of me, girl. You and your sister cool it on the nearly getting killed stuff, why dont you?
She was so glad shed come back. There was nothing like a hug from your mother and father.
Trying.
Try harder. He let her go. Everyone is waiting. His gaze flicked to her left and then up and up some more. Hey, Faine.
Mr. Jaansen. Faine bowed slightly and then gave Rain a smile that told Helena the two of them were thick as thieves while planning to make Helena drink nasty-tasting tea. Ms. Jaansen.
Rain smiled back prettily and her dad sent Helena a raised brow.
Helena shrugged. I dont know. Simons the same way. Its got nothing to do with me.
Faine rumbled a laugh. Not so. Its got everything to do with you.
I can see we need to talk. Her dad gave Faine the once-over.
Ugh. What we need is to go to the meeting of the Full Council. Then its right back to the airport.
Can I go to your place and pack you a bag?
Helena turned to her mom again. Yes, please. That would be so appreciated. And can you please pack some of those spell volumes? The ones Ive been working through are on the dresser in my bedroom. Take Evan with you.
No one would be traveling without a guard anymore. The world had just changed and if they didnt change with it, more people would end up dead, and it sure wasnt going to be her mother, if Helena had any say.
Dont worry, Ive gotten used to it. Rain rolled her eyes, but squeezed Helenas hand. Ill run over and be back as soon as I can.
When she entered the room, The Gennessee, because thats most definitely who Rebecca Gennessee was right then, stood up and began clapping.
Blushing furiously, Helena looked to the side and then behind herself.
Oh for goodness sake. Helena Jaansen, youre a hero. Stop looking around, her father said in her ear as they moved to sit.
She waved at them to stop. Thank you. Very much. But I didnt do anything special.
Rebecca gave her a very imperious look. You stopped an explosion. How is that not anything special? I cant stop a bomb and Im a Full Council witch.
To be honest? I think many of us can do far more than we could before the Magister. So if I can deflect the energy of an explosion, imagine what a Full Council witch can do?
Rebecca nodded, sitting down. You make a good point. Then again, my point still stands. What you did was an act of service and heroism. You saved lives and you, my darling hunter, did it on television.
On television?
Rebecca laughed, clearly delighted to relay the news. Someone in the crowd was filming with a cell phone. When the pigs at PURITY began to accuse us of setting it up to make ourselves look better, the camera video began to flow in. Some from people who counted us as enemies until the moment you would have died to protect them.
Helena blew out a breath. This was double edged. Good that they were seen to have saved lives. But now that the humans knew they had this sort of power, who was to say that they wouldnt want to try to harness that power for military use or worse?
She said as much, only more diplomatically.
Rebecca sat back, her fingers steepled in front of her mouth. Youve done a lot of growing up since you took this job. The Helena who came on to the squad with her sister wouldnt have seen that nuance. Youre right, of course. Which is one of my reservations about getting too close with some of these humans in government like Agent Anderson. A nice man, yes, but he doesnt serve two masters. Hes a government man and I dont doubt that hed throw you in the back of a truck and take you away where youd never see the light of day if he thought it would serve his government.
There it was. The baldest of truths out there. And some words when spoken couldnt be taken back.
It was no longer their government. It was his government. The gulf had grown far deeper than they could manage to bridge with talking and debate.
I agree. And it is my recommendation that we create a military arm of the Council of Others. We need to protect ourselves and send out patrols. We can no longer rely on the human authorities to protect us. They want to put us in camps and put GPS chips in our bodies.
Rebecca nodded. I will address all of Clan Gennessee, along with the Owen, who will address the Owens members. In that address, we will urge our witches to move into one of the armed enclaves popping up all over the West Coast. We will help as we can with expenses, but we cant protect everyone in their own neighborhoods. Were fortunate that a great many witches already tend to live in clusters. Id like for you and your people to give me a concrete idea of who can be protected in the current population situation. And then how we can get those who are too far out or all alone in a part of town protected.
The group who runs the enclave Faine lives in down in Huntington Beach has two witches on their board. Ill liaise with them about setting up other groups, as well as touch base with the hunter arms of different Other groups in our territory. Theres strength in numbers and shared resources will lessen the financial burden as well.
I wish we didnt have to do this. But we do and I am fortunate to have such a fine staff to make it happen. Helena, I know you and Faine have to get back to Seattle for the big meeting. Ill be joining you via video.
Ill get you the information as soon as I can. Ill start the calls now. She nodded, standing.
Your sister is well?
Yes. Shaken up. Simon had just finished construction on the house less than a year ago. Most of the furnishings and things inside were destroyed. But we werent. Wed been out on a run. But there was someone on the trail with a gun and silver ammo. They think they know what Simon and Faine are.
And theyre willing to kill. We knew this before. With Molly. With the countless Others whove been assaulted and killed since this mess started. And we need to be willing to defend ourselves with that same zeal. If its us or them, Helena, it will damn well be us.
Helena agreed.
* * *
AFTER the meeting Faine held her up at the airfield. I need to leave you for a few hours. Ill see you in Seattle when you land.
Helena narrowed her gaze his way. What are you up to?
He took her shoulders. Twice. Twice in one day these humans have tried to kill what is mine to protect. This cannot go unanswered.
Part of her thrilled at the possessive note in his tone and the other part, the one not near any erogenous zones, tightened up. Yours?
Hush. You know its true and things are too dire to deny it any longer. Im not playing silly games. You are mine to protect. I can accept that you need time to fully embrace what is between us. But I wont accept that you dont understand what is there. And what my nature is. Im not a human male. I have more patience on most everything, but not this.
I dont know what to say.
His severity washed away on a smile. He kissed her quickly. A first.
Ha. What are you going to do?
Im going home for a bit. Simon is meeting me there. Ill let you know the outcome when I see you when you get off this plane. Youll be safe while youre in the air.
Safe as she could be anyway. Nowhere was totally safe. Not anymore.
Im absolutely sure this is going to mean trouble for me.
His grin was back. A brief flash of teeth. Ill see you soon.
She got on the plane and he got into a car and sped away.
He met Simon in the wide field just on the other side of the Veil. They clasped forearms and headed to the main house.
What did you tell Lark?
I told her I was coming here. Shes . . . Simons mouth flattened in a hard line. Shes shaken in a way I havent seen. This was her home. The one place she felt safe, and now she doesnt have that. Shes damned lucky I dont just toss her ass through the Veil and move us both here permanently.
Faine blew out a breath.
I told her I had had enough and I was speaking to my father. I didnt say what about exactly. I got the feeling she just assumed it was to inform Father of the bombing, and given the amount of things she has to manage today, I didnt give her any more detail. Helena?
I told her twice in one day what was mine to protect was threatened and it couldnt be borne any longer, and that I was coming here. Im guessing her assumptions were the same as Larks.
Peres soldiers came out to greet them as they moved to the house where their oldest brother and their father awaited them.
Cross Leviathan gave both his sons a raised brow as they entered his office and went to one knee. He touched the backs of their heads. Get up and tell me what brings you here. Not that Im unhappy to see you. Im pleased, but I can see this isnt a social call.
Simon got straight to it. My home was bombed yesterday. Set ablaze. A near total loss.
Crosss eyes widened as he turned his attention to Faine.
Yesterday, before that, a car Helena and I would have been riding in was bombed. She repelled the force of the explosion with her magick and passed out, bleeding from the nose and mouth from the exertion. We were also with Simon and his Neest when his home was attacked.
Helena, hmm? This is our little pixies sister? Youve been a busy male, Faine.
She is mine.
The simple words were enough for Cross. And for Pere, who smiled from his place at their fathers right.
The violence by the humans against Others continues to escalate. We have tried diplomacy. Molly Ryan has delivered an articulate message about our limits being reached. Simon shrugged.
Lark was shot twice when theyd sent the Magister from the human realm. But Simon had killed the shooter. It had been enough to hold back on a declaration of war by Lycia. But this was different.
When you were here with Lark before, we called a council of war. You have all the beasts of Lycia at your beck and call. Pere spoke this time. Cross was the elder, but it was Pere who really ran things. Simon, you are my voice on that side of the Veil. Faine, we wish to meet your Helena when you are able to bring her.
What is she to you? Will you take her in marriage? His father asked this with hooded eyes.
She is . . . she is everything. My key.
He nodded. As you know, I had love before I bonded with Tila. I cared for Simons mother with everything I am. But the difference now? What I have with my Neest and anyone who came before is immense. I am glad that you cleave to this witch. I know how much our little bird cares for and respects her sister. We will welcome her to our Pack when she is ready to come here to perform the binding.
Im working on it.
Your mother says youve never failed to convince a female to give you what you wanted. I doubt you will this time either.
Simon snorted. The Jaansen sisters are a world apart. But Helena is worthy.
Faine was proud to have the words from his brother.
They thanked their father and brother and headed back, both males loath to leave their protected alone for too long in a world full of people who wished for nothing less than their annihilation.
Chapter 13
TOSH felt it was his turn to face some danger. He looked to his left at Delilah, who was his escort to this Council of Others meeting.
He hadnt been surprised that Helena had recommended the Others cease their PR travel. After all, how much could they be expected to endure? How many more of their people had to die just to be heard?
But he knew it was more than a simple cease of travel. The bomb at the capitol building, the second such incident in less than a month, had only underlined the tenuous nature of the situation. And then the attack and subsequent destruction of Simon and Larks home and the evidence of an armed male with silver ammunition on a trail on Simons land.
Spiraling out of control and heading to war. Which is why he needed to address the Council to try his best to alleviate the mounting tensions that he worried would explode into a war neither side would really win. And it would definitely end with far too much damage to recover from.
Encroaching on a werewolfs land the way those whod bombed Simon Leviathans house had done had broken so many rules Toshio knew it would be an uphill battle to get the Others to ease back. More than that, Simons woman and HelenaFaines woman, Tosh suspectedhad been there. The mate of a shifter being endangered would push both males into hyper-protective mode.
He knew Simon and Faine were more than normal werewolves. Werewolves were large, but the Leviathan brothers were beyond large, they were massive. The werewolves treated them with respect and a bit of awe, but it was clear they were apart somehow.