The Wolf Siren

“I’ve counted eight,” she said, leaning forward to peer into the forest. “How many are there?”

“Nine. Ours is my favorite. It sits up at the top of a rise in the land, with a pretty good view of the entire acreage.” Not to mention it was pretty damn near impossible to approach the cabin from any direction without being seen.

A slight frown creased her brow. “Exactly how isolated is it?”

“Not too far.” They climbed in earnest now. “We’re almost there.”

One more curve in the road, and the cabin came into view. Unlike the others, this was made of stone. Two giant oak trees sheltered it. “This one is older than the others,” he told her. “Originally, this was where my ancestors lived.”

Though she nodded, he didn’t tell her the significance of this. His entire family spoke of the power lingering in the ancient stones. In addition to being easily defensible, Kane had the vague hope that cabin nine might help Lilly heal.

They crested the hill, parking next to the covered porch. He killed the engine, pocketed the keys and climbed out. He’d made it halfway around the car, meaning to open her door, but she beat him to it. She unfolded her long and shapely legs and climbed out of his low-slung car. Stretching, she cocked her head and studied the house.

“I feel it again.”

He understood what she meant. “It’s a ley line. The strength of the earth, made manifest.”

A shadow crossed her pretty face. “Are you sure you don’t mean demons?”

Cursing the man who’d caused her to think something so natural was evil, he shook his head. “No. It’s good energy. Beneficial. Since our kind has such close ties to the earth and the sky and moon, we appreciate and honor such places of power.”

Holding utterly still, she considered his words. “Places? Are there more than one?”

“Yes.” Relaxing again, he took her arm and steered her up on the porch. “I’ve been lucky enough to feel several of them.”

Unlocking the door of the cabin, he flicked on the light switch. “After you. This will be our home for the next several weeks.”

Gliding past him, she inspected the interior, from the weathered wood of the old plank floors to the cast-iron stove. The windows were double-paned and new, and over the years, different parts of the cabin had been updated. The most recent renovation had been to the bathroom.

He watched as she walked all around, wondering if she could sense the history trapped inside the old stone walls. Sometimes, late at night, he almost felt the ghosts of times long gone drifting up from the rocks.

Finally, she looked up and met his gaze. A reluctant smile hovered at the edge of her lush mouth. “Very nice.” She swallowed, her cheeks turning pink. “But there’s only one bed.”

“I know.” He indicated the couch. “That makes into a bed. I’ll bunk there.”

Relief palpable, she nodded.

He glanced at his watch. “We have about an hour until they’ll expect us back at the main house for dinner. Do you want to freshen up or take a nap or...”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure.” If he’d been alone, he’d already have turned and headed back to the house to be with his family. But since he knew this would be rough enough on her as it was, he wouldn’t ask that of her. Nor would he leave her alone. Until the missing Sanctuary members were arrested, he didn’t plan to let Lilly Gideon out of his sight.

“I think I’d like to take a walk,” she said, surprising him. “After so long in the car, my legs could use a bit of a hike.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Crossing to the door, he held it open. “After you.”

She didn’t move. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone.”

Compassion warred with common sense. “I’m sorry, but right now that’s not a good idea.”

He expected her to argue. Or maybe just challenge his statement. Instead, she dipped her chin in a sort of resigned acceptance and moved past him. He fought the urge to take her arm, and only the knowledge that she wouldn’t have made it so long if she wasn’t a fighter, kept him from demanding she try harder for what she wanted.

“How about I stay a bit behind you?” he offered. “Give you some space without leaving you completely alone?”

All the light had faded from her eyes, leaving them as dark as a storm. “Suit yourself.”

So he did. Since she hadn’t indicated a preference, he remained right by her side. Unspeaking, yet close enough to touch.

They’d barely gone a quarter mile when she stopped and rounded on him. “I understand you take this guarding me thing seriously,” she began, “but I barely know you.”

“You will,” he said softly. “And, yes, I do take keeping you safe very seriously.”

Her expressive face revealed a combination of frustration and determination. “I’m used to being alone. Even when I was staying with Lucas and Blythe, they were kind enough to give me some space.”

“No worries. You’ll have your liberty again, once those last three Sanctuary people are caught. Until then, I’m afraid you’re going to have to put up with me. I’ll be keeping you very, very close.”

Jerking her head in a stiff nod, she turned and walked briskly away. He almost laughed, well aware of what she was trying to do. She didn’t realize his long stride would enable him to effortlessly catch up to her without him having to run. If he wanted to, that is. He’d offered to give her as much space as he could, and that’s what he intended to do. At least for right now.

So he dropped back, keeping his distance, and tried to ignore the enticing sway of her hips as he followed behind.

* * *

Lilly fumed, hating the way that once again, she had absolutely no control over her life. Even though she couldn’t help but admire Kane’s steadfast determination and his attempt to give her a small modicum of privacy, his refusal to let her walk alone angered and frustrated her.

Of course it didn’t help her mood that she’d be paralyzed with terror if he actually did set her loose.

So she strode off, her fast pace practically daring him to keep up. A few offhand glances over her shoulder revealed he didn’t seem to be having any trouble. She walked and walked, at first thinking she’d go until the path ended. Eventually she realized the trails apparently crisscrossed the woods for miles. Defeated yet again, she spun around and motored on past him, refusing to look at him even though she knew she was acting childish. After all, none of this was his fault.

Back at the cabin, she found herself still jumpy and out of sorts. She’d thought a good hike through the woods might soothe her—nature often did. But instead, she’d been ever conscious of the large man walking behind her, ready to rush to her side at the slightest threat and defend her. Her conflicted emotions about this didn’t do anything to help improve her state of mind.

Part of her liked the way having him near made her feel protected. But part of her hated the necessity. She liked that he’d said he’d teach her to protect herself. As soon as they were settled in, she’d demand he make good on that promise.

Meanwhile, there was the dinner with his family to get through.

She didn’t know why she felt so nervous about everything. The jangling rawness angered her, made her wish she could be a different person. After all, these were just regular people. They weren’t going to shackle her to a machine and send volts of electricity coursing through her system. Having dinner with Kane’s family shouldn’t matter—a simple meal would be minor compared to the numerous atrocities she’d suffered at the hands of her father’s minions in her fifteen years of captivity.

Thinking this helped. She squared her shoulders, dragged a brush through the tangle of her long hair and headed out into the living area where Kane waited.

He gave her a long look, and then offered his arm. “Are you ready?”

Forcing herself to move forward, she hesitated, just short of touching him. “Are we walking?”

“We can.” His cheerful smile struck a chord of warmth inside her. “Though we might need a flashlight to make it back. There are no streetlights here, just cabin lights.”

She frowned, trying to decide.

“Or we can drive,” he added. “Whichever is easiest on you.”

“Let’s walk.” More time to get herself psyched. “I don’t mind a flashlight later.” And she took his arm, the warmth of his skin sending a flush of warmth into her hand.

The woods were beautiful, a leafy canopy through which slashes of sky teased the eye. The gravel crunched under their feet as they made their way back toward the main house.

They’d just rounded the last turn, passing by the first four cabins, when a childish shout rang out. Kane shot her a rueful smile. “We’ve been spotted.”

She couldn’t help but tense. Her unease must have communicated itself to him through her hand.

“It’s okay,” he said. “They’re only children.”

The words had barely left his mouth when they were surrounded by kids of all ages and sizes.

“Uncle Kane!” They attached themselves to Kane, full of a joyous exuberance that made Lilly smile. One of the little girls, seeing the smile, shyly tugged on Lilly’s shirt.

“Hi, I’m Candace,” she said. “I’m five. Are you Uncle Kane’s girlfriend?”

“Um, no.” Despite herself, Lilly blushed. “We’re just friends.”

“You’re a girl. If you’re friends, then you must be his girlfriend.”

Grinning, Kane ruffled Candace’s mop of red hair. “It’s hard to argue with logic like that,” he said, winking at her. Seeing that, some of the tightness eased off Lilly’s chest. Just some, but at least now she could breathe.

With children dancing around them as if they were some sort of pied pipers, they reached the main house. A knot settled low in Lilly’s stomach. She had zero practice with any kind of social situations. After all, the only interactions she’d had in the past fifteen years had been with her captor and the doctors who’d tortured her in the name of Sanctuary.

She felt as if she was about to take a blind leap off a cliff. Which she knew was foolish—this was only dinner, after all—but she couldn’t help herself.

“It’s going to be okay,” Kane murmured, his breath tickling her ear. “I promise.”

And then he pulled open the door and they went inside.

Her first impression was the chaos and the noise. A blur of activity—people and food and music—so much the swirl of energy overwhelmed her. She took a step back, forgetting Kane still had her hand engulfed in his.

“Come on.” Smiling in reassurance, he tugged her into the middle of the maelstrom. As she tried to hold back the rising tide of fear, the creature inside her raised its bruised and battered head and curled its lip in the beginnings of a snarl.

The beast. Her beast. No. Not now. Fear changed to horror, to panic, to terror. She froze as the thing within her stretched, flexing its claws, making a garbled, sorrowful song low in its battered throat.

All around her, in the middle of the noise, people began looking around, sniffing the air, as if they somehow sensed the struggle being waged inside her. Maybe they did, perhaps this was a Shifter thing, but she knew whatever the creature inside her might be, it wasn’t the same as theirs.

If she had her way, her beast would never again see the light of day. She’d vowed this, no matter the cost. She had to save the rest of the world from its awful vengeance, even if she had to die trying.

Kane turned to look at her, at the same time tightening his grip on her fingers. Something must have shown in her face. Using his body to block her from their sight, he shepherded her away from the others.

Chapter 5

“Come with me.” The deep rumble of his voice sent a shudder through her. She felt as if he’d tossed her an invisible lifeline. Grateful, she went where he led, ashamed of the way she clung to him, yet unable to do more than that.

Inside her, the creature still stirred, wary now.

He took her down a long, narrow hallway and into a small room that had apparently once been a bedroom but had been converted to a craft room/storage space/office. Once inside, he kicked the door closed behind him.

“Are you all right?” Cupping her face with his other hand, he tilted her chin up, making her look at him.

Cautiously, she took a deep breath. She’d been lying to everyone, including her twin brother, and she knew she couldn’t be truthful now, to Kane. She had no choice. He’d never understand. Whatever had been done to her had made her different than the rest of them. No one could help her deal with this. She had only herself and hoped to tap into some inner strength that so far had been conspicuously absent.

“I think so,” she managed, the answer to his question coming a heartbeat too late.

Hand warm under her chin, he studied her, his silver eyes missing nothing. Her entire body flushed. Slowly, moving her head, she gave him no choice but to let her go. Though their fingers were still linked, she backed away, putting just enough space between them so she could once again breathe.

“Are you going to tell me what that was?” he asked.

For a second, she considered feigning ignorance, but since it appeared that everyone in the room had sensed her internal battle, or some aspect of it, she knew this would be futile. “I’d rather not. At least not right now.”

Eyes narrowing, he nodded. “Are you going to be all right to rejoin my family?”

For now, her beast had gone quiet again. She didn’t know what had set the monster off; whatever triggered it seemed to follow no pattern that Lilly could see.

“I think so.” She tried for a smile, partially succeeding.

“Good.” Opening the door, he led her back down the hallway toward the kitchen.

The organized chaos stilled the moment they reappeared. Kane broke the awkward silence by sniffing and grinning as he made a broad gesture toward the pots simmering on the stove. “Something sure smells good. What’s cooking?”

Just like that, everyone went back to what they’d been doing. Bemused, no longer terrified of them, though she wasn’t sure why, Lilly let Kane tug her along by the hand, while he joked and teased his family.

“Go ahead and get seated,” the elder Mrs. McGraw ordered, already bustling from the kitchen to the dining room, carrying steaming bowls of food. She wore a brightly colored apron and her plump hands were adorned with rings, one on every finger.

Judging from the scents wafting from the bowls, she’d made some kind of roast, along with vegetables, and homemade bread. Lilly’s mouth began to water.

Everyone seemed to rush at once to take their seats at a long table. Lilly stopped counting at twelve chairs, amazed as she realized there was another table set up for the kids.

“Here you go.” Kane pulled out a chair for her. Once she’d taken her seat, he dropped into the one next to her. Someone to his left good-naturedly jostled him, almost causing him to knock over his water glass. He saved it with another grin.

Once everyone had taken a seat, they began passing around the bowls. Lilly had never seen so much food in her life. Amazed, she accepted one bowl after another, spooning a little on to her plate, afraid she might offend Kane’s mother if she didn’t sample everything.

Watching, she noticed no one started eating. Apparently they were waiting until everyone had gotten everything. She waited, as well, even though she felt hollow from hunger.

Finally, Kane’s father stood and tapped on his glass with his knife. He flashed a friendly smile at her before glancing around the table. “Today, in honor of Kane’s guest, I’d like to say a little prayer.”

At his words, everyone bowed their heads. Confused, Lilly glanced at Kane, only to realize he too had closed his eyes and dropped his chin.

Unnerved, she also bowed her head, though she kept her eyes open so she could watch Kane through her lashes.

“Higher power, we thank thee for your blessings. This food, our company, the love we have for one another and, finally, our good health. In your name, we salute the earth, the sun, the stars and the moon.”

The moon? She frowned, thinking of the kind of prayers Jacob Gideon and his followers had prayed with such fervor. They’d invoked a lot of retribution and hellfire, and nothing about thankfulness or love. Then and there, she decided Sanctuary and Kane’s family didn’t share the same God.

Once the prayer was finished, everyone dug in. Bowls were continually passed as people took seconds, even thirds. Lilly tried, but she couldn’t even finish everything on her plate.

“Wonderful meal,” Mr. McGraw boomed, patting his ample stomach. “Leave the dishes, hon. Me and the boys will get them.”

Once again, Lilly could scarcely believe her ears. In the world where she’d been raised, Sanctuary, all the men had treated the women as little more than serfs. And that had been in the best-case scenario. Once more she was forcibly reminded that the rest of the world wasn’t like Sanctuary.

As the men pushed back from the table and began gathering the dishes, Kane touched her shoulder. “You’ll be all right? I shouldn’t be gone more than a minute or two.”

Slowly, she nodded. He grabbed her plate and his, and moved to the other side of the table, picking up silverware. Lilly noted some of the other women pretending not to watch her. She offered Kane’s mother a tentative smile, relieved when the older woman smiled back, genuine laugh lines creasing her light blue eyes.

With the background noise of silverware and plates clattering in the kitchen, chatter flowed easily among the women. Lilly didn’t participate, but she listened, marveling at the feminine camaraderie. A swift stab of yearning filled her. The closest she’d ever come to having a friend had been one of the female doctors at Sanctuary, who’d exploited Lilly’s loneliness. Dr. Silva had pretended friendship in order to make it easier for her to perform experiments on Lilly.

The first time Lilly had begged her to stop, her so-called friend had ignored her and tightened the screws instead.

Since that day, Lilly no longer believed in friendship.

But the camaraderie among these women, who were joined by blood or by marriage, felt different. None of them appeared to have anything to gain, no private agenda as they joked and laughed, teased and commiserated. Lilly made a note to watch them while she was here, and see who tried to exploit whom.

The men returned a few minutes later. They too seemed in high spirits, jostling one another, bumping shoulders and fists. Kane seemed slightly embarrassed, side-stepping when his two brothers tried to get him in a headlock. His gaze locked on hers, sitting so quietly, as if he knew she thought herself a weed among blooming flowers.

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