Lycanthropy Files Box Set: Books 1-3 Plus Novella Page 16

I followed him and tried to allow the rain to wash away the sting of unfulfilled desire.

  “How is your wrist?” he asked as we walked back the direction I had come.

  I held it up. “Fine. You didn’t damage it when you tackled me.”

  “Good. I was trying not to.”

  At least there was that. “Did Lonna send you?”

  “No. I saw you leave the Manor and was worried when the storm blew in and you didn’t.”

  A small smile escaped my pouting. “Are you my guardian angel now?”

  He glanced over his shoulder at me. “Now that is one job I would not want. You’re little, but you get yourself into some big messes.”

  “This is actually the lesser of the two today.” I remembered Kyra’s running after us at the junkyard and wondered if that’s why he’d broken off the kiss. “I think your girlfriend tried to shoot me earlier.”

  “Who?” The shocked expression on his face seemed genuine, but I couldn’t be sure.

  “Kyra. She came after us today when we talked to Ricky, the junkyard guy.”

  “I know Ricky. He’s a good guy. Kyra tried to shoot you?”

  “She ran after us yelling something about a man-stealer.”

  He brushed leaves off his jeans. “And she had a gun?”

  “Not that I could see, but she reached in her pocket.”

  “If she was fresh off the hunt, who knows what she was thinking?” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “She lost a lot when she developed CLS. We all did, but it really screwed up her lifestyle.”

  I crossed my arms. Was he defending her? “And what did she lose?”

  “Her business. Her home. Her life. She ran a modeling agency in Memphis and Little Rock. Her main clients were girls whose parents were willing to pay her outrageous fees for classes, but to her credit, she was very good at placing them with companies in New York and L.A. When she started disappearing at night and news of her erratic behavior got around, her contacts dried up, then her clients, and she finally had to close the agency.” His voice became a little hoarse, and I could tell Kyra’s loss echoed his own. “She moved up here, where her parents had a cabin. She found a place where she wouldn’t be bothered and where she could exist as a werewolf.”

  “Wow.” My problems seemed a little better compared to having lost everything. “She shouldn’t have come after us, though.”

  He turned away and studied the gloom ahead. “Who am I to say what she should or shouldn’t have done? We all make mistakes, Joanie.”

  It was my turn to look away as my wrist gave a little throb. Or maybe it was my heart. We walked the rest of the way in silence.

  13

  Thank God!” Lonna threw open the kitchen door and hugged me close in spite of my wet clothes. “I didn’t know what had happened to you. You were gone for hours.”

  “And you didn’t send the cavalry?”

  “Ron said Leo had gone after you. I figured he would be best since he knows the woods.”

  I looked at Leo, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes. It struck me that Kyra was his pack-mate, and who was I? Nothing but an ivory-tower princess who may or may not know the secret to their cures. And if they were cured, would they then live happily ever after?

  Lonna distracted me from my thoughts by throwing a giant bath sheet around me. “Go on up and take a shower. Gabriel will have dinner waiting when you get done.”

  The butler was waiting for me at the top of the stairs. “Are you okay?” he asked. The concern in his eyes almost made me start crying again, but I felt ashamed for having gotten lost, for falling for the false promise in Leo’s kiss, and then for wanting to wallow in my self-pity and grief, especially since others had lost so much more.

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  “Good, then. I’ve drawn a nice, hot bath for you and warmed your robe and slippers.”

  “Thank you, Gabriel.”

  He inclined his head, and I searched for something more in his smile. His face didn’t change, but he squeezed the top of my arm as I walked past him.

  I felt more human after my bath and walked down the stairs to find Leo, Ron and Lonna in the sitting room. Gabriel had retreated into the kitchen and, I found when he handed me a glass of shiraz without saying a word, into his formal persona.

  “Galbraith called while you were upstairs,” Lonna said. “I told him you’d call him back when you were available.”

  “You didn’t tell him I was bathing, did you? He’s the last person I want thinking of me naked.” I caught Leo’s glance and felt the heat in my chest and cheeks. “I’ll make the call in my office.”

  I sat at the desk and looked around. Something seemed different, but I couldn’t place it. I didn’t care. I was tired, hungry, and just wanted to get dinner and go to bed.

  “Galbraith.” The clipped tone was the same, but it seemed like ages ago that I’d seen him.

  “This is Joanie Fisher. I was told that you’d called?”

  “Ah, yes, Doctor Fisher. This is regarding the butler your grandfather retained. He apparently has an interesting background.”

  My stomach clenched, and I put the wineglass on the desk. “What kind of background?”

  “One of your colleagues is coming into town tomorrow. He didn’t want me to say who because he wanted to surprise you, but he has some interesting information about this Gabriel person.”

  “Be straight with me, Galbraith. Are we in any sort of danger?”

  “None foreseeable.”

  “Right.” Well, this was getting nowhere. “I’d also like any papers my grandfather may have left with you. Are there any files?”

  “There is one. He wanted me to hold on to it until you’d seen the Manor and had become acquainted with some of its secrets.”

  “Right, and now I’ve got more secrets than I can handle.” We set up a time for me to meet with him and this mystery person at two o’clock the following afternoon at his office in Little Rock.

  “What was that about?” Lonna asked as I sat down.

  “I’ve got to go into Little Rock tomorrow to meet with Galbraith. He’s been holding on to some of my grandfather’s papers for me.”

  “Why didn’t he just give them to you when you met with him before?”

  “He said my grandfather wanted him to wait until I had been here awhile. Guess he didn’t want to put too much on me at once.”

  Ron and Leo exchanged a look.

  “What did he want you to see?” asked Leo.

  “I’m guessing it’s the big secret that no one is talking about. Or ever talks about willingly.”

  He dropped his gaze to the butternut squash soup. “There’s really nothing to say.”

  “Actually, I’m fascinated by the whole culture of it. The names, the pack, the fact that Gabriel is a virtual exile for wanting to help my grandfather, but here he is cooking and cleaning for us.” That only reminded me about what Galbraith had said. A wave of frustration exploded in my chest. So what if he tried to poison us all? At least I wouldn’t have to deal with all the damn secrets.

  Lonna cleared her throat. “So Joanie found out the vector for how CLS victims are becoming infected.”

  Ron’s and Leo’s spoons clattered into their bowls.

  “It’s in vaccinations.”

  Ron’s jaw dropped. “We had flu shots right before we got sick.”

  “We think it’s in the kids’ Tdap vaccines.”

  “They’re about the right age.” Leo sat back and ran his right hand through his hair. “That vulnerable age for development of CLS.”

  “But was it the same batch?” asked Lonna. “They go through a lot of that stuff, just like they go through a lot of the flu vaccine, I’m sure.”

  “So there’s something in the vaccines, but it’s not the only thing.”

  “Do you mind if I look at those charts?” asked Lonna. “Fresh eyes might help.”

  “Not a problem. I’ll bring them into the library.”

  Gabriel cleared th
e soup dishes in preparation for the main course. “Just tell me which boxes you want transferred, Madam, and I’ll bring them in there while you finish dinner.”

  “Thanks, Gabriel. It will be all but the box with the letters and the two really old ones.”

  Leo smacked both hands on the table, and I jumped. “I’m coming with you.”

  “Coming where?”

  “I’m coming with you. To Little Rock. Who knows what danger may be waiting for you there?”

  “Are you kidding me? I don’t need your protection.”

  “Like you didn’t this afternoon?”

  My cheeks heated, but I refrained from saying, “From you?” Instead, I sounded more sulky than I wanted. “That was different.”

  Gabriel came in and set a grilled beef tenderloin on the table with horseradish sauce and rolls. “Who would like a slice?”

  “Go ahead and start with the ends for the girls,” Leo said. “Ron and I like it nice and bloody.” He bared his teeth at me.

  I couldn’t help it—I laughed, particularly when his facial expression went from ferocious to bewildered.

  “I think I’d like a rare piece as well,” said Lonna.

  “Yep, and I’m a medium rare girl, so sorry, Leo, try again.”

  The corner of his mouth twitched as he tried not to smile. “So you’re interested in werewolf culture.”

  “It seems like you have your own. You have your wolf names. I’m assuming there are territories involved, otherwise the appearance of the strange black wolf wouldn’t have made such a big stir for you.” Never mind why it did for me.

  Ron held his plate up to Gabriel for a couple of slices dripping with red juices. “A wolf’s territory is where he hunts. Where the pack hunts. And where the pack leader is.”

  Leo jumped in, but I couldn’t tell how serious he was. “That means that this land is the property of the pack. And the last time I checked, you’re not a member.”

  We locked eyes, and my heart beat in my throat, but I refused to look away. A sense of strength and power overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t help but imagine what it would have been like if the moment in the woods had continued its sexual turn.

  “Hasn’t anyone told you never to challenge a predator?” he asked me in a low tone and brought me out of my fantasy into the present moment. Was that a hint of yellow in his eyes?

  I remembered our first meeting and what he said to Galbraith about his right to the land. Instead of being frightened, I got pissed. No way was I going to back down from this infuriating but fascinating man. “It doesn’t matter about your stupid pack. I’m my grandfather’s heir. Sorry, bud, but this is civilized society.”

  Lonna looked back and forth between the two of us and then put a hand on my arm. “This isn’t a productive discussion,” she said. “Of course the estate is Joanie’s, that’s what the will said.”

  “We’re sorry, of course you’re right.” Ron put his hand on Leo’s arm, and I couldn’t help but notice the similarity in gestures. “Please forgive my cousin. He’s under a lot of stress right now. We really do appreciate all you’ve done for us.” I saw the knuckles of his hand turn white as he squeezed Leo’s arm. Leo’s face went pale.

  “I’m sorry, Doctor Fisher. I do appreciate your hospitality.”

  I sat back, shaken. That was the first glimpse I’d gotten of the animal Leo since he had hurt my wrist, and I was as troubled by my own reaction as his. What is this? Doctor Leo and Mr. Werewolf? It was good Ron intervened when he did, otherwise they would have been sleeping in the woods again. Even so, I wasn’t thrilled about having two resentful werewolves in the house in addition to the butler with suspicious credentials and a best friend who seemed to be developing an extra bitchy side.

  After dinner, Lonna and Ron went into the den to play a board game. Having had enough of games of any type, I took a glass of wine out to the back porch. Leo had disappeared before dessert, and I told myself I didn’t care where he had gone. Gabriel was in the kitchen cleaning up.

  I sat back on the Adirondack chair and looked across the lawn, the edges of the woods inky black outside the range of the spotlights on the house. The lights gave everything a garish glow. The thought crossed my mind that the house would be an amazing place for parties. I could picture it, twinkling lights in small potted trees around the yard, buffet tables on the patio, and a live band set up on the porch. I could see myself walking across the lawn, greeting guests, a tall, handsome man in my wake. I couldn’t see his face, for he always had his back to me as I watched the imaginary scene, but I knew he must be with me because I saw a sparkle on imaginary Joanie’s left hand. She had bigger boobs than me, too. Obviously this was a fantasy. The babble of voices dissolved again into the sounds of the evening.

  The irony of the situation hit me. This place had been built for entertaining but never had seen a party like I imagined. The ballroom with its strange murals had lain under a layer of dust for months if not years, and who knew whether it was only there to cover up the lab? Nope, no parties here. Just secrets and closet skeletons with fangs.

  The hiss of a match startled me, and I noticed Leo leaning against the railing in the shadows with a cigarette in his hand. He appeared lost in his thoughts. I thought about leaving, but I decided to stay—it was my house, after all. He didn’t hunt here.

  “Are you the civilized Doctor Leo or are you the boorish Werewolf Leo?”

  He hunched his shoulders as though I’d thrown a rock at him. “Would you believe neither?”

  “What are you, then?”

  A long drag from his cigarette. “I’m not sure. I get in moods. Then I have those outbursts. It’s like the primitive part of my brain takes over.”

  “Is that what happened in the woods this afternoon?” I tried to hold my breath against the cigarette smoke, but I coughed anyway.

  “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  Would he have? I retreated from the uncomfortable thoughts that flooded my mind into scientific fact. “It’s the impulse control part of CLS—the part that takes over the brains of its victims around the full moon and makes the kids do crazy stuff at night.” But those were kids, and this was a full-grown man of tremendous strength.

  “Oh, is that all?”

  I ignored the sarcasm. “And it’s not so bad for Ron?”

  “He’s different. We’ve always been like night and day. I was always the one getting him into trouble. He’s more of a follower than a leader, but he’s also a survivor.”

  “How so?”

  “He’ll do whatever needs to be done to preserve that golden hide of his. You know, he’s the one who told me about you. That you’re the famous Joanna Fisher, CLS researcher and that I had been an idiot to confront you right after my transformation. I knew you’d been watching us. I could smell you on the night air.”

  “And Ron was watching you? Oh, and I was the famous CLS researcher. Not anymore.”

  “He’s never far away.” He took another drag at the cigarette. He blew the smoke out slowly, and I watched as it rose and dissipated. “So you lost a lot, too.”

  “I lost my career.”

  “And gained a fortune and an estate. Seems like a good-enough trade.”

  “For all the good it’s done me.” I exhaled to release some of my resentment. “I don’t even know exactly what happened to my grandfather. Until I find out something certain, I only feel like I’m staying here, not that it’s truly mine.”

  He took a drag on his cigarette and blew the smoke out in a lazy plume. “How well did you know your grandfather?”

  “Not very. I spent summers out here after my brother died. He took care of me, we’d go for long hikes, and then he’d fix these great, fancy dinners in the old kitchen.”

  Leo almost smiled. “He did love to cook. He’d feed me and Ron after a long night when we were first learning to hunt. That was before the others joined us.”

  “Is that why he redid the kitchen?”

  “That’s a good q
uestion.” Another pause. “He seemed to be preparing for something those last couple of months. He said he’d need to do some field research and that the house needed to be ready if he was going to be gone for a while.”

  “Ready for what, I wonder?”

  “Who knows? He was pretty secretive.”

  “And what do you know about Gabriel?”

  His lips curled in a sneer. “He appeared around here about a year ago and ingratiated himself to Charles. He tried to be part of the pack, but his English sensibilities just didn’t fit in. So then he agreed to be a lab rat for whatever your granddad was working on.”

  “Any idea what that was?”

  “No. Just that it had something to do with CLS. Gabriel had it from childhood, you know.” He stubbed the cigarette out on the railing, and I winced for the wood.

  “Yes, he told me.” That made for an interesting new angle on the pack...and Gabriel with all his secrets. “And I thought doctors weren’t supposed to smoke.”

  “They’re not supposed to turn into werewolves, either.”

  “Touché.” I realized that we had been conversing like two normal human beings. Of course, the insight then gave way to awkwardness.

  “Well, I guess I’ll go on in, then,” I said. “I’ll tell Gabriel that the two of you will be staying in the same guest rooms. How did you like the ones you slept in this morning?”

  “They were comfortable. It’s amazing that your grandfather built such a big house for just himself.”

  I looked back over the lawn, the imaginary party imposing itself on the broad expanse. “I agree. I’m happy to be able to share it. I don’t think he would’ve minded.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” I think.

  I turned back at the door to glance out into the night and saw Leo had dropped his customary scowl for a small smile. My cheeks grew hot when I realized I had caused it. I probably wasn’t supposed to see his grin, but it helped dispel any doubts as to the wisdom of letting them stay. Now if only I could convince Gabriel of that. The butler, however, was nowhere to be found, but when I checked the upstairs bedrooms, all of them had been prepared for the night. A wave of sleepiness overcame me, and I decided to turn in.