She knew what she was doing, though. Every time the van came to an intersection, she seemed to sense immediately which way to go.

  Or she pretended she did.

  He hated not feeling like he could trust her. But she’d come back into his life under false pretenses, keeping so many secrets.

  And even now, the cynical, paranoid Enforcer part of him wondered if she were somehow in league with Selina, leading them into a trap.

  No. He couldn’t believe that. More important, Wolf didn’t believe it. And Kane was started to realize that Wolf’s hatred of Selina, and Kane’s refusal to listen to him, was the reason he’d been so angry for so long.

  Sorry, buddy, he thought tiredly.

  Wolf was sulking, though. He wanted to be over there by Rachelle, holding on to her and supporting her. But she had Jesse on one side and Rafe on the other. Israel was driving, and Jace was next to Kane, watching Rachelle with even more suspicion than Kane was.

  But he’d been willing to gear up and come out here on her word. And Kane trusted Jace’s instincts more than he trusted his own.

  The van slowed again, and Rachelle said, “Left.”

  She was pale, and Kane could see how much this was taking out of her. He hoped she was okay. In spite of his anger and his uncertainty, he still felt that urge to protect her.

  They continued on for another twenty minutes, turning according to Rachelle’s directions, and then Rachelle suddenly raised her head. Her eyes snapped open. “Here!”

  The van slowed, then went on. “What’s he doing?” Rachelle asked. “That’s the place!”

  “We don’t want to be obvious,” Rafe said. “Trust us.”

  Israel said quietly from the front seat, “Small house, boarded-up windows, no vehicles. Yard overgrown—looks abandoned.”

  “Outbuildings?” Jace asked.

  “Negative. Woods in the back. Not big enough to be the kind of lab you’re talking about.”

  Rachelle leaned forward, touching Jace’s knee. “This is where the trail leads. I’m sure of it.”

  “Cash stash?” Rafe suggested.

  “Don’t know,” Jace said. “Let’s check it out.”

  Israel pulled over, out of sight of the house, and they piled out.

  Jade said, “Rafe, Jesse, you go through the woods and come up to the back entrance. The rest of us will take the front.”

  Rachelle nodded, and Rafe and Jesse slipped off through the woods to circle around the house. The rest of them walked back, keeping to the edge of the forest, following the line of the road.

  Kane caught up with Rachelle. “Are you okay?” he asked her in a low tone. “You look wiped out.”

  Her face brightened when he spoke to her. “It’s tiring,” she said. “But I’m okay.”

  She gazed up at him. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything up front. I had obligations to the Agency.” She hesitated. “And I didn’t want them to find out who you were.”

  Kane took a deep breath, then another. His Raven had left him, but maybe she’d never stopped caring. She’d been protecting him all these years, hiding his identity from the Agency. Even when they’d pulled her back in, she’d kept him out of it.

  And then she’d gone after Selina. She’d done it for him.

  He nodded. It still hurt, but he understood about confidentiality. He hadn’t told her about the job he was working, either.

  “And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about me. I just—I hate being a freak. And I never got close enough to anyone else that it was an issue. Only you.”

  Only you.

  The words cracked some of the ice around his heart. They both had so many secrets and wounds and scars, but maybe there could still be something there for them.

  He nodded, and briefly put his hand around the back of her neck. “We’ll talk later,” he said.

  She gave him an exhausted, hopeful smile, and his heart melted a little more.

  * * *

  They surrounded the house, watching and listening for any sign this could be Selina’s hideout. If it wasn’t, if there were no leads, they’d have no choice but to tell the Council everything.

  Jace and Rachelle took positions beneath the boarded-up front windows, while Kane and Israel took the door—Kane as a human, and Israel as a wolf.

  Through their comm system, Rachelle could hear Jesse’s quiet voice. “We’re in position.”

  “On three,” Jace said. “One, two—go!”

  They smashed in the front and back doors at the same time, and moved in. “Kitchen clear.”

  “Dining room, clear.”

  “Living room—holy shit.” That was Kane.

  Rachelle moved in, Jace bringing up the rear. She swung around the corner into the living room, gun at the ready, and then stopped, raising the barrel so it wasn’t pointing at anyone.

  Two people were chained to cots along the side of the living room. It was impossible to tell if they were male or female—they were covered in old blood, cuts, bruises and burns. The stench was hideous.

  They began moaning and babbling as soon as they realized there was someone there, but they weren’t making any sense.

  Rachelle couldn’t believe they could talk at all.

  “Jesse, call for healers,” Jace said. He went over to one of the cots, and Rafe went to the other. Rachelle took a step forward. Selina’s energy was still so strong—stronger than she’d ever felt anyone’s energy before.

  She walked forward and stepped on something round and flat. Kane leaned down and picked up a similar object off the floor. “Casino chips,” he muttered. “Silver Cloud. The bitch is taunting us.”

  “If she isn’t here, she’s been here in the last six to eight hours,” Rachelle said. “Is there a basement?”

  She kept walking forward, though, feeling pulled by the people on the cots. They were hurt. Not just in their bodies, but in their minds. She had to help them.

  “Rachelle?” She heard Kane’s voice, but it was faint. This was more important. It was an imperative.

  “I can help them.” She pushed up next to Jace. It was a man on the bed, she could see that now. A cougar shifter. Like Manny. She reached her hand out towards his forehead.

  “Rachelle, don’t—”

  She touched him.

  A wall of pain slammed into her, knocking her across the room. She barely felt Kane’s arms close around her. Pain, screaming, evil, torment…the images and sensations overloaded her brain and nerve endings, and her body convulsed.

  It went on and on and on. In between bouts of agony she heard the tramp of boots, and voices—some kind and soothing, others yelling at each other.

  Carmichael. Why was he here? “You’re lucky I intercepted your call. What the hell were you thinking, letting her follow the trail like this? Her human form’s not strong enough…”

  Kane yelling. Jace’s icy voice. Israel growling and Wolf growling and it all hurt so much…

  Something sharp stabbed her in the arm.

  And then Kane’s voice in her ear, his arms around her again. “I’ve got you, Raven. You’re safe. We’re taking you home…”

  And she just let go and let herself fall into the darkness.

  * * *

  Kane sat in an easy chair next to his bed, watching Rachelle sleep. They’d brought her back to Silverlake and he’d insisted on putting her here, in his cabin. She belonged here.

  She was so pale, and even though she was unconscious, her face was still lined with pain.

  He should have never let her try that stunt. He should have known that Selina couldn’t be caught that easily. He wished to hell he knew what kind of trap she’d laid inside the minds of those tortured shifters—and how she knew exactly how to get to Rachelle.

  Did that mean she’d targeted Rachelle specifically? The thought made his blood run cold. But if Selina had Gen-X’s records, she’d know what Rachelle was capable of. Maybe better than Rachelle herself did.

  He just wished there was more he could do for her.

  On a whim, he fished in his bedside drawer for the gold coin she’d given him. He pressed it into her hand, folding her fingers around it, and then sat back down and took her other hand in his.

  Maybe she’d feel him here, and maybe it would give her comfort.

  He laid his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes, trying to focus on pushing some kind of healing energy into her. He didn’t know how this stuff worked, and half the time he didn’t even believe in it. But he’d seen Jace pull Emma back from death with the healing power of the mating bond the night they’d joined together.

  He and Rachelle weren’t mates. Not yet, anyway. Maybe she didn’t want to be.

  But the moment she’d flown across the room, and he’d seen her convulse in agony, he knew.

  He couldn’t lose her. She was his one and only. Always had been, always would be.

  If something was hurting her, he and Wolf had to stop it.

  Ours, Wolf agreed. Protect her.

  Working on it, buddy.

  God, he was tired. He felt himself drifting off, like he was surrounded by a dark fog. He felt like he was in a cave, but it was so dark even his wolf vision could barely make anything out. Just shapes, and the sound of wings. Not bats, but feathered wings, like giant birds.

  Kane?

  Was that Rachelle’s voice?

  Raven? He called out. Where are you?

  He felt a brush of wings, and then her warm skin. She pressed up against him. I can’t see you.

  But he could feel her. His hand tangled in her silky hair and his lips found hers. So sweet…

  He felt a tug inside him, and then it felt like a cool river passed through him, into Rachelle. Was this what healing energy felt like? He held the kiss, the connection…

  “Kane?”

  He startled awake. Israel was standing in the doorway.

  “Sorry, man,” his friend said. “Jace and that Agency asshole want to talk to us in the living room.”

  Kane shook his head. “I can’t leave her alone.”

  Israel nodded. “The asshole says the injection will keep her unconscious until her brain can heal itself, so she’ll be fine alone. But, being that he’s an Agency asshole and we don’t trust him, I asked Terin to come down and sit with her.”

  “Thanks.”

  Israel came over and stood by the bed.

  “So she’s really the one, huh? Your mate?”

  Kane hesitated, then nodded. “I never thought I’d have one,” he said. She had to be okay. He couldn’t find her and then lose her again. He said, “You’re still my brother, though. You know that, right?”

  Israel nodded, but he didn’t look at Kane.

  Kane stood up, gazing down at Rachelle. “Raven—my mate,” he mused. “Who knew?”

  “I did,” Israel said. “All those years you looked for her. It was always her.”

  And before Kane could answer, Israel clapped him on the shoulder and walked out of the room.

  As soon as Terin showed up, Kane reluctantly walked out to the living room. He knew Terin was a gifted healer—she’d brought Rafe back from the edge of death the night they met. But Wolf didn’t give a shit about that. Their place was by Rachelle.

  I know, Kane said. Tell it to the alpha.

  The first person he saw was Rachelle’s handler from the Agency. Carmichael, his name was. Sandy brown hair, gray eyes, unremarkable in his nondescript gray suit. He looked like an accountant.

  Jace was also there, with Emma, Rafe and Israel.

  Kane raised his eyebrows at Jace. “I need to get back to Rachelle,” he said.

  Jace nodded. “This won’t take long,” he said. “But we need to discuss what can be done to find Selina. Even if Rachelle recovers in time, I’m assuming she may not be able to track Selina from the abandoned house?”

  Carmichael shook his head. “It’s likely she covered her tracks,” he said. “Selina has gained powers that we have no defense against. For example, that mind trap she planted in those unfortunate prisoners…”

  “Yeah,” Rafe said. “What was that?”

  Exactly what Kane wanted to know.

  Carmichael steepled his fingers and tapped them together. “It’s a bit complex…”

  “Use little words,” Kane growled.

  Carmichael gazed at him. “Quite so. Well, Rachelle has the unique ability to sense the emotional energies of those around her, and even absorb them into herself. She can also calm and realign the neural pathways of others. It’s how she can heal mental illnesses in some people.”

  “Wow,” Rafe said. “Another ninja mind warrior.” Jace gave Rafe a “shut up” glance. Kane didn’t blame him. Jesse’s abilities weren’t a secret, but they didn’t want crazy-ass scientists deciding they wanted to take his brain apart too.

  “Not quite,” Carmichael said. “Her abilities are primarily defensive and healing. Although she’s quite a skilled hunter as well. However, her weakness is the risk of being overwhelmed by negative emotions, to the point where her own brain can be damaged. If she were able to take her animal form, we believe that wouldn’t be the case.”

  “What can’t she?” Kane asked. “Something you all did to her?”

  “I don’t believe so,” Carmichael said. “Her ability to shift is suppressed, but whether it’s something she did herself as a child, or it was done to her, I’m unsure. The records are murky in that regard.”

  He cleared his throat. “In any case, Selina appears to have tortured these poor individuals, and then, er—boxed up those memories, emotions and sensations, so to speak, so that if Rachelle touched one of them with the intent to ease their pain, the backlash would all explode on her at once.”

  Kane closed his eyes. He couldn’t imagine what she’d gone through, experiencing all that pain and horror pouring through her. Hell, he couldn’t imagine what the victims had gone through, either. This had to stop.

  “That’s sick,” he said.

  “Precisely,” Carmichael said. “Selina Douglass is a very dangerous woman. Since Raven was unable to track her, we need to develop a Plan B. I’ve arranged for Noah Reilly’s transport to be diverted here…”

  Jace rose to his feet, his face darkening. “You ‘diverted’ a Council prisoner into my territory without clearing it with me? What the hell were you thinking?” He was growling now, which pretty much set everybody off. Even Emma, who wasn’t a wolf.

  Carmichael was unmoved. “He’s our best lead,” he said. “I have access to certain drugs which can mitigate the brain imbalances associated with his ‘addiction’ to Miss Douglass. He may have information about her whereabouts. Unless you simply want to have the Council take him off to one of their facilities and strap him down until he dies?”

  Jace was still furious; Kane could see it on his face. “You’re a piece of work,” Jace said to Carmichael. “I’ll arrange to have one of the guest cabins set up for him and his guards.” He walked over to Carmichael, towering over him. “But if you ever endanger my pack again, I’ll tear your throat out myself and make your body disappear. Are we clear?”

  Carmichael gazed at him. “Noted,” he said.

  He glanced at his watch. “You better get on that cabin. They should be here soon.”

  Jace gave another growl, his face tightening. “Rafe, would you take care of that? And Emma, maybe you could show Mr. Carmichael to our cabin and get him settled in the guest room? I’m sure he’d be most comfortable there.”

  Under Jace’s eye. If Kane hadn’t been so preoccupied, it’s what he would have suggested himself.

  Rafe gave a nod and left. Emma, with a glare at Jace, ushered Carmichael out.

  Jace pulled Kane aside. “How is Rachelle doing?”

  Kane shook his head. “Still unconscious. Carmichael says she’ll heal, but I don’t know when. Or if he knows what the fuck he’s talking about.”

  “I wish there was more we could do for her,” Jace said. “Do you want me to get Amerind to come down?”

  “Actually, there’s something else I’d like to try,” Kane said slowly. “This is going to sound crazy, but when you were dying after Grant’s men shot you, you and Emma met each other…well, in the spirit world. Right?”

  He felt like an idiot even talking about it. He didn’t believe in dream worlds, or even really in magic. Except, there had already been so many strange things…

  Jace ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah,” he said. “I don’t talk about it much, though. It was too weird.”

  “Was it like a dream? Only Emma was there?”

  “Yeah,” Jace said slowly, drawing out the word. “Why?”

  “Before the meeting, I was sitting in the chair with my eyes closed, holding Rachelle’s hand,” he said. “And then suddenly I was in this cave, and she was there. It was dark, but I could feel her, and she spoke to me.” He shook his head. “It was probably just a dream. Didn’t you and Emma need kirian to do it?” Kirian was a rare drug that supposedly enhanced shifters’ ability to visit the spirit world.

  Or just gave them hallucinations.

  “Yes,” Jace said. “But I’m not a genetically engineered shifter who can reach out to other people with her mind. It’s possible that Rachelle has the ability to enter the spirit world and take you with her. Do you want to try?”

  Kane nodded.

  “Okay,” Jace said. “I guess it can’t hurt. I’ll ask Israel to set up guards and make sure no one disturbs you.” He hesitated. “Look, I don’t know what the understanding is between you two, but it’s pretty clear she’s your mate, whether she knows it or not.” Kane nodded. “Well, then, if you can activate the mating bond while you’re in the spirit world, you may be able to heal her.”

  Chapter 18

  Kane went back into the bedroom. Terin was sitting by Rachelle, holding her hand. She got up when Kane walked in.

  “No change,” she murmured. “She’s in some kind of coma.”

  Kane nodded. “Thanks for sitting with her,” he said.

  Terin nodded, putting her hand lightly on Kane’s chest. “I’m glad to be able to do something to help. And you know what a romantic Rafe is. If I didn’t help his Stone-friend get his happily-ever-after, he’d pout for weeks.”

 

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