A Touch of Flame Page 12

  “Hey,” she said, pulling away from him and rising to her feet. “Don’t mean to be rude, but we’ve got some things to do, besides figuring out how to rescue Kiara. I’m going to shower first, then check in with Alfonso and generally get a feel for what’s going on out there. I’d like you to come with. I have a bunch of shifters who want to meet you as well, and this might be the right time. Afterward, we can continue the training then maybe head over to Kiara’s cell. How does this sound?”

  He smiled. Very industrious. “Like the right order of things.” He rubbed his stomach. “Any chance of another steak?”

  Her lips broke into a smile. “Hell, yeah. I’m starved, too. Battling bad guys and having hot sex with a wolf will do that to a woman.”

  ~ ~ ~

  A half hour later, Maeve sat across from Braden and watched him cut into a two-inch slice of blood-rare steak. She knew wolves liked their meat just barely seared on each side. Braden was no different.

  She worked on a salad this time with grilled chicken on top, some pineapple, a slew of tomatoes and raspberry dressing. Though full of tables, benches and a few chairs, the dining room was empty except for them. They were between the hours the regular meals were served, though Maeve could smell an Italian feast coming for later.

  The French doors to the hall opened and seven of her most powerful shifters strolled in. They were generally a muscled bunch anyway. But en masse, her heart quavered. Wolves tended to wear their hair long, which appealed to Maeve. It gave them a wild look.

  This pack was currently part of the construction crew working on the new apartment complex. At different times, they’d helped with her Graveyard rescue efforts as well.

  Normally, they greeted her. This time, each had his gaze fixed on Braden.

  Maeve stood up, though she wasn’t even sure why. But the moment felt important in a wolf way.

  She wasn’t surprised when Braden did the same. Rounding the table, she moved to stand next to him.

  He didn’t exactly tower over the men. Most of them, including Braden, were six-five or almost there.

  The other thing she noticed was that the wolves were tense. Braden as well.

  The lead wolf, Greg, had been with her the longest and led the construction crew. He had long blond hair and dark eyes. He jerked his thumb toward the rest of the men. “We’d heard you’d been pulled from the Graveyard, like the rest of us. Just wanted to meet you. I’m Greg Jones.”

  Braden nodded slowly. “I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Maeve and will do everything I can to repay that debt. Nothing else is more important to me right now.”

  This seemed to her like an odd speech to make. But by the end of it, she could feel the tension ease from the room. Again, she didn’t understand the why of it.

  Maeve glanced from Braden to the wolves, then back. She finally realized they were paying homage to him as an alpha. As she settled into the moment and focused on the men, each of their ranks in the pack became oddly clear to her. Greg, for instance was a beta wolf. She’d heard about basic wolf culture and a well-defined pecking order. But now she was seeing it in real-life.

  Braden made eye-contact with each wolf. “What packs are you with and how did you end up in the Graveyard?”

  For any normal initial meeting, these questions would have been considered rude. But it made sense in terms of wolf-pack mentality. Nothing was hidden in pack life. In that way, Savage was the opposite of Elegance. Everything could be hidden or disguised or spelled in her territory.

  Each wolf told his story in a few matter-of-fact sentences. Maeve, of course, already knew what had happened to each of them. Part of the recovery process for her rescues as well as for herself was to interview each victim before he or she left the emergency room. She had an entire facility to protect and just because someone was left to rot in no-man’s-land didn’t mean the rescue was a good, worthy person.

  Only twice in all these months had she been in danger from a bad-guy rescue. But it had taught her to be careful when dealing with those left to die in the Graveyard. She’d had Alfonso toss both of those vile men straight onto the streets before they could do harm to her facility. Some people, human or alter, would never have good intentions toward their fellow kind. One of those two had almost strangled her to death.

  So, she knew her people well and relied on her trusted staff to alert her to any potential problems with those residing under her roof.

  The stories ran the usual course among the shifters. The majority had been caught by cartel members, beat, shot or sliced-up then thrown into the Graveyard. Two of the men had been attacked by rogue packs that formed and unformed every so often in Savage. With new wolves arriving every day, transitioning to a pack wasn’t a simple thing.

  “Why haven’t you gone back to Savage?” Braden’s question was simple enough as he addressed the group.

  When all the wolves shifted their gaze toward Maeve, Braden turned toward her as well. “They’ve pledged themselves to you.”

  “Sort of. More like, to the Landing. They’ve all helped out and not just with construction. When Alfonso isn’t available, I often take one or two of them to the Graveyard with me.”

  Braden switched to telepathy. It’s more than that. But I’ll discuss it with you later.

  Maeve knew enough not to press him, though she wanted to. She was curious as to what he meant.

  He reverted his attention to the wolves. He even smiled. “I hope I’ve passed muster.”

  The lead wolf glanced at the others. “And we hope you stay.” Several nods followed. “Maeve is a good woman, one of the best you’ll ever find. She needs a strong wolf at her side.”

  Maeve was surprised by this declaration. As they wished Braden well, each one turned to her in stride and inclined his head then left the room.

  When the doors were closed behind them, she asked Braden straight out. “What did you mean they’d pledged themselves to me?”

  He returned to his seat and she took up hers opposite him once more. “They’re bonded to you. I knew it the moment they walked in.”

  “You mean because of my alpha-mate potential.”

  “Partly. You saved each of them. It’s a matter of loyalty and gratitude. I feel it as well. Apart from the fact you could bond with me as my mate, I will always feel a degree of connection to you not found in the usual Five Bridges relationships. What you’ve done is profound.

  “You created a shifter refuge for them, but you’ve also built an army, though I’m sure you have no idea that’s the case. By the way, they came here not to show me deference, but to attack me if they felt you were in any way threatened.”

  She leaned back in her chair, stunned. Several images flashed through her mind, things she’d set aside as unimportant. Whenever she appeared unexpectedly, the wolves, if seated, would stand. When standing, they’d incline their heads to her more slowly than a mere nod. It was deference.

  “I don’t believe it. Or rather, I can’t believe I didn’t see it before. It’s as plain as anything right now.”

  He didn’t respond except with a slight curve of his lips, then returned to the business of feeding his large, shifter body. He sat hunched over, the way she worked her spells.

  She stared at her salad, but didn’t pick up her fork.

  She’d simply assumed the shifters were behaving in ways peculiar to wolf culture. Given her nature, she never stopped to ask what was what. She was always too preoccupied. As long as everyone in her facility behaved themselves, she didn’t ask questions.

  Yet the knowledge she had such pointed support from the wolves in her refuge, gave her a tremendous sense of peace. Tears started to her eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” He was always quick to assess her, even with his fork speared with a huge chunk of steak. “The wolves would never hurt you. Just the opposite.”

  “I know. That’s what’s got to me. I’ve felt so alone in this journey. What you’ve told me, about this bond, it’s given me hope. So, thank you.
I honestly wouldn’t have known about it otherwise.”

  “You didn’t think their deference unusual?”

  “Why would I? Your world in Savage is new to me. How would I ever know what the protocols were? I’d say over half my rescues are female, but I’ve never had a female shifter at the Landing. So, no, I thought the male wolves were being polite as in grateful to me that they were alive.

  “And it really didn’t surprise me that they wanted to stay. But I thought it was more about wanting to remain behind the Landing’s security spell than out of a sense of loyalty to me. Besides, Savage is a violent place. Maybe I thought they each wanted quieter lies.”

  He finished his meal and pushed back his chair to stretch out his long legs. They were still alone in the dining hall. He chuckled and shook his head. “Violence comes with our wolf nature. You need to know that.”

  She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter to me as long as my wolves behave themselves and abide by my rules.”

  He smiled, something she didn’t understand. “Why are you grinning?”

  He turned a hand palm up. “You say you didn’t know about the bond then you said, and I quote, ‘my wolves.’

  She rolled her eyes. “Figure of speech.”

  “Whatever. You’re so much more than you seem or that you’re willing to understand.”

  His words made her grow very still. She lifted her left hand and stared at it as she recalled their encounter with Gammet in the park. “You may be right. But if I’m blind to who I am, it’s because I still don’t want to be in Five Bridges. Intellectually, I know I can’t be anywhere else, but I’m still railing against it, at least in my spirit.”

  “It takes time and you’ve had a more-than-typical rough beginning. It’s a shock for everyone having to adjust to an alter life. But most of us don’t find ourselves abducted by the dark queen of the witches then end up killing people to escape.”

  But there was something worse, always worse. She added quietly, “And they don’t have the same queen kill their human husbands, either. I hope we find her, Braden.” She lifted her hand again. “I hope maybe together we can put Veyda on a pyre, only give her a slow burn that lasts a century to pay for all the people she’s tortured and killed.”

  “I like the way you think. Ready to get back to work?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Braden followed behind Maeve until they got out into the hall. “Hold up a second.” He glanced out at the double glass exit doors on north side of the Landing, opposite the emergency doors. The apartment complex was being built a hundred yards from where he stood. He knew the wolves worked on site.

  Maybe because they’d challenged him, he felt compelled to speak with them alone, without Maeve.

  “What is it? Your scent seems stronger to me right now, but different.”

  He glanced at her. “Very much a wolf thing. I need to talk to the men, with your permission.”

  “Of course. I have a couple of things I need to do anyway. Give me a telepathic shout when you come back.”

  “Good deal.” He headed toward the double doors. A construction truck carrying framed windows drew up to the site. He saw Greg meet the driver.

  Once outside to the left, there was a communal grass area and a couple of fire pits blazing. There had to be fifty people there with all five alter species represented. And they were getting along. There were even some human rescues not yet ready to return to their world. Each had found a refuge in Maeve’s facility. What she’d accomplished was amazing.

  He headed toward the growing apartment complex, aware that a spell kept everything cloaked and safe. The longer he was here, the more he seemed able to sense it, but like a physical barrier he could touch. The sensation gave him pause. Was it his imagination, or had his interactions with Maeve heightened his ability to navigate her witch’s world.

  He found Greg issuing orders and sending more of his workers to different parts of the project.

  When he was done, he turned to Braden and inclined his head. “What can I do for you, Alpha Braden?”

  “How many of your men know how to fight?” It was almost a rhetorical question. All wolves battled.

  But by the curve of Greg’s lips, Braden had his answer. Greg said, “We’ve been known to fire a weapon or use our teeth to take out a throat or two. What did you have in mind?”

  Braden glanced around. He felt it in the air, but it seemed more like a witch sense than his wolf instincts. “We’ve got a situation coming up that might need some wolf brawn. You and your men game?”

  “Time and place and about thirty seconds warning.”

  “Everyone good in the air?” Levitation came with increased powers.

  “Faster than most. I’ve been running drills.”

  At that, Braden was surprised. “Why?”

  Greg glanced around as well. “Something’s not right, like we’re being watched. I’ve been feeling it for weeks. When you showed up, having been ambushed in the Graveyard, that sensation intensified.”

  “Well, Greg, we’re trying to connect with a witch that Veyda abducted.”

  “You mean Kiara?”

  “Yes, you know her?”

  “She’s got alpha-mate capacity like Maeve. She’s been a good friend to Maeve as well. We were sickened to learn of the abduction. Elegance has a serious problem because of the dark covens.” He cleared his throat and lifted his chin. “I won’t mince words. We’ve been talking and we want you to stay. We’ll be your pack if you can let go of the one in Savage, I mean. I know it’s a lot to ask, but Maeve deserves someone like you and you could do some good here.”

  He wouldn’t deny the thought hadn’t crossed his mind, especially after meeting her wolves. “She saved my life. I wouldn’t be alive except for her.”

  “Alfonso told us the state you were in when they picked you up. He doesn’t know how you made it through.”

  “I don’t either. But you know what I’m about, right? Why I can’t agree to stay, beyond my duty to my pack?”

  “You mean your wife’s killers?”

  “So, you do know me.”

  At that, Greg grinned. “Boss, who doesn’t know Officer Braden of Savage and to stay the hell out of his way. It was a bad day when I heard what happened to Laura. I’d met her a few times. She was a remarkable woman. She went above and beyond to help new-arriving wolves find packs. It was a loss for the whole territory when she died.”

  Braden’s throat had grown tight. He’d been gone for so long from Savage on his nightly quest, he’d forgotten the support and comfort other wolves could be. “I appreciate you saying so. She was the finest woman I’ve ever known.”

  He cleared his throat then switched to telepathy. You good with this? Heading out with your pack if we call?

  He needed to know if Greg was up to the task.

  Hell, yeah.

  Exactly the right response.

  I’ll be in touch. Let your wolves know we have a mission on the horizon and it could be at any time.

  Will do.

  Greg inclined his head once slowly. Braden had missed this, the simple pack gestures that kept wolves working as a cohesive unit.

  He left with his spirits lighter than they’d been in a long time. Unlike Maeve’s brief time as a witch, he was used to his wolf-life.

  He had no idea what the future held. Wolves usually didn’t. But he hoped his own quest as well as Maeve’s desire to get Kiara out of Veyda’s hellhole, would soon be resolved. Then he could think about whether to return to Savage or perhaps, in a real twist of fate, align himself with Maeve and the wolves of Hard Landing.

  Heading back into the property, he was about to contact Maeve telepathically when he caught sight of her through the French doors leading into what looked like another communal area. Maeve sat on a chair but leaned forward. She held another woman’s hand.

  Braden remained standing very still. He was within Maeve’s sightline, but he didn’t want to disturb her. Sh
e was clearly in the middle of something with one of her female rescues, a painfully thin woman. He watched Maeve reach behind her, grab some tissues and then hand them to the woman.

  She never said anything. She kept nodding, her expression sincere and sympathetic. Her world had become a mission in Five Bridges. She was all in and he loved that about her.

  The woman spoke quietly. She was fae. His alter senses knew each species at a glance.

  He waited quietly for several minutes until Maeve eventually rose and patted the woman on the shoulder.

  She saw him then, another sign of her focus on the woman’s well-being. She crossed the room then opened the French door, closing it quietly behind her. “You’re back. Everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine. Greg and his wolves are available to fight if we need them.”

  “That’s fantastic. Can they fight?” She chuckled. “That’s a dumb question. They’re wolves.”

  “Now you’re getting the idea.”

  She chuckled again. She then gestured in the direction of her apartment, set the pace and he fell in beside her. She had a quick step.

  “Is your friend all right?”

  She lowered her voice. “She’s been at the Landing for two months and she works with our on-site therapist every day. But she still has nightmares.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “She’d been forced to work in one of the raunchy sex clubs on the Strip in Crescent Territory. She serviced a dozen vampires a night. Half of them tapped her vein. I thought I had it bad, but she was abducted into the club her first week in Five Bridges. Wrong place, wrong time. They use women up so fast. She’d only been here four months when she was nearly drained one night then dumped in the Graveyard and left for dead. She’s put on some weight but she’s got a long way to go.”

  “On patrol, we deal with trafficking all the time. We search vehicles and get into gun fights with some of the sleaziest men you’ll ever meet. I don’t mind at all putting a bullet in their brains, especially when I find them hauling around a bunch of terrorized women.”

  She took his hand to guide him past her security spell then led the way down the spiral stairs to her below-ground apartment. His whole body relaxed at the burrowed feel of it. The home he’d shared with Laura in their pack compound had also been below ground.