Chapter
three
Later after I’d showered and made a fresh pot of coffee, I really thought about everything Edward and I had discussed. Something wasn’t sitting right with me. There was no one more careful than he was on a hit. How could he have been so careless as to let himself get attacked? It didn’t make sense. I guess even Death had his limits.
I heard a key in the lock and I jumped. Silly me to forget that I didn’t live alone anymore. Micah walked in with Nathaniel, Zane, and Cherry in tow. Zane’s hair was a bright crimson this week. And speaking of hair, Nathaniel had cut his. It was still long, much longer than mine, but it no longer fell to his ankles. I’m not sure I would call waist-length manageable though.
“Hi. There’s coffee if anyone wants it,” I told the group. I debated whether or not to have a meeting now. Might as well go for it. “I want to talk to you all when there’s a chance. Something has come up.”
Micah immediately came to my side. “Is everything alright, Anita?” he asked softly. I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him down for a quick kiss.
“I’m okay, if that’s what you’re asking. This is more of a pard thing than a personal thing. I think.” Cups in hand, the other leopards sat in the living room. Cherry and Zane got comfy on the other couch. They were officially dating now.
“What’s going on?” asked Cherry.
I guess we were having the meeting now. “Edward came to see me today,” I started.
“He doesn’t need you as backup again, does he?” Nathaniel looked up at me with those lavender eyes from his seat on the floor.
“No, Nathaniel. He came to talk to me. He…” I stopped, not sure how to go on. “There’s no easy way to say this guys. Edward most likely contracted leopard lycanthropy.”
Silence. Everyone stared at me. They exchanged those little glances that say, “something is afoot.”
“He’s not coming after any of you, if that’s what you’re thinking,” I said. “He was out of state when it happened. Believe it or not, he showed up asking for help.” And a promise of death, but that part was mine and Edward’s secret.
“What sort of help exactly?” Micah asked. He looked skeptical. I didn’t blame him.
“He basically wanted to know about pard life. What it’s like. How it affects him and his work. I told him he could hang out here, get to know all of you on a different basis.”
Cherry spoke up. “Do you trust him? How do we know he doesn’t have a hit on a member of the pard and is using this story as a cover?” Zane nodded in agreement. “After what happened with Chimera, you understand our concern.”
Chimera, alias former bounty hunter Orlando King, had tried to cause chaos within all the local wereanimal groups. I’d killed him, but only after he’d slaughtered some were leaders. It had made everyone more cautious about our friendly neighborhood sociopath.
I looked at Cherry. “I trust him. Besides, I saw the wounds. Something tried to kill him or at least cut him up beyond recognition.” I shrugged. “It’s up to you guys to try to accept him as a lycanthrope. If he is, I’ll do what I can to help. If he’s lying…”
“You’ll kill him.” This from Nathaniel. He knew me well.
“I’d give it my best shot. I won’t stand for anyone trying to hurt my people. Edward included. You’re all under my protection. Don’t ever forget that.”
The meeting pretty much broke up after that. The two lovebirds left, leaving me with Micah and Nathaniel. There was nothing to do but retire for the night. All three of us slept in my bed. It worked out easier for me at least, to feed the ardeur when I awoke. I still felt guilty about using Nathaniel as a sex toy, so to speak. Feeding off the Nimir-Raj’s sexual energy didn’t bother me however. We snuggled under the coverswith Micah at my back and Nathaniel in front of me. As I fell asleep I wondered what kind of dreams I’d have tonight.