Chapter Thirteen

 

When Tamian arrived at his hotel, he noticed several motorcycles parked in the back lot. He sat in the rental and called Julian who had tapped into the hotel guest registry and located the room the Hounds were staying in. He knew he was taking a chance in confiding in them, but he figured their distrust of him would be overshadowed by wanting to protect Lucy at all costs. He’d been right. On his way out the door, Tamian had “pushed” the two males in the hall with his mind. Rarely did he use his ability to manipulate people’s thoughts, but he needed all the Hounds to be cooperative, not combative, if they were to work together in getting Lucy away from her boss safely.

Tessa looked up when he walked in the door, and she smiled at him. “I take it your time to think was lucrative?”

“You might say that.” Tamian explained all that happened while he was gone.

Tessa whistled. “Damn, Tam. That’s…” She shook her head, grinning. “So, what now?”

“We wait on Julian to get the information on Ramey so I can follow him and learn everything I can to become him. While I’m doing that, Jonas will produce a prosthetic. Once that happens, I will go to the lab and pretend to be Lucy’s boss.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“I’ll want you to be my backup, just in case there is anyone at the lab who tries to keep me from taking her. It shouldn’t come to that if I do my homework well enough, but I’d rather have you there just in case. I promised Maveryck he could be there when I went in, so between you and the Hounds, I have no doubt we’ll be successful.”

 “How is she going to feel about her ‘boss’ removing her?”

“I’ve already warned her about that. She knows my plan, and I’ll alert her beforehand so she has ample time to gather as much proof as she can to bring with her. I want every piece of research that has been documented taken from the lab. We won’t be able to remove the bodies, so we’re going to need to find a way to lock down the building until we can get someone to go back in behind us. Taking photos won’t be enough, because we both know those can be manipulated. We need to prove Lucy willingly had nothing to do with the project, and I’m hoping her boss will be able to provide that evidence for us.”

“How do you propose to get him to cooperate?”

Tamian knew it was time to trust his sister. “Let’s have a drink.”

“Oh, hell. I’m not going to like this, am I?”

“It’s nothing bad; it’s just something you need to know about me.” Tamian poured them both a stiff drink and handed her a glass before taking the space next to her on the sofa. He drank down half his bourbon then angled his body to face her. “You know how I can ‘speak’ to animals and manipulate their fear of Gargoyles?” Tessa nodded. “I can also do that with humans.”

“Say what?” Tamian opened his mouth to elaborate, but she stopped him. “No, I understand the concept, and I don’t doubt your ability, but why did I not know this about you? And is it only humans you can control?”

Tamian shook his head. He didn’t want Tessa to think he’d ever used mind control on her, but he wanted to be completely honest. “You know how Dante can ease the others’ feelings with a gentle push? I can do the same thing, only it isn’t just emotions I can control. I promise you I’ve never used my ability in a way that would be construed as immoral. I don’t convince someone to rob a bank then give me the money. It’s actually the opposite. I only nudge people toward making a better choice than the one they were going to make. Take the Hounds, for example. When I left the hotel room, the two who were standing guard in the hall were feeling a bit hostile toward me. I assured them I only wanted to help Lucy, not harm her in any way.”

“Have you ever used your Jedi mind control on me?”

“Once. Do you remember when you were eighteen and were dead set on wearing those cut-off shorts out to the bar, and I didn’t want you to? I might have suggested you change into jeans.”

“You bastard!” Tessa jumped from the sofa and turned on him. “I remember that. I couldn’t figure out why all of a sudden I decided to change. Why did you do that?”

“Because I knew you weren’t really going to the mall. I was well aware of where you were going and the types of men who would be at the bar. I couldn’t follow you, because Jonas had me working on something. I didn’t want to worry all night about you getting hit on or taken advantage of because of the way you were dressed. I promise that’s the only time I’ve ever done that to you. I mean, think back. Was there ever another time you didn’t understand a decision you made?”

Tessa downed her drink and poured another, chugging it as quickly. He waited for her to think about it, and when she came back to the sofa, she sat back down. “No. But I still don’t like that you did it once. That’s just wrong.”

“We’ll have to agree to disagree. I won’t apologize for wanting you safe.”

Tessa leaned against the arm of the sofa and glared at him. “How long have you been able to coerce folks?”

“I figured it out when I was around nine. I was with Mom and X, and I wanted to stay home instead of going to Italy with them. Mom had been the one adamant I go with them, but I told her she needed to let me stay, and just like that, she changed her mind. X was confused by her sudden about-face, but because she has him wrapped around her finger, he didn’t question it. They dropped me off at Jonas’s on their way to the airport. I wasn’t sure if my words had been the cause of her change of heart, so I tried it out on Caroline. I suggested she make biscuits and gravy instead of her regular Saturday pancakes, and she did so without hesitation. Jonas heard the exchange, saw the outcome, and figured out I had the ability. After breakfast, he and I had a long conversation about the moral obligation I had to only use my ability when it was absolutely necessary.”

“And me wearing jeans was absolutely necessary?” Tessa huffed.

“For my sanity? Yes.”

Tessa nudged his leg with her bare foot. “So, this is like Lilly not using her witch powers for personal gain?”

“That’s one way to look at it. I have always tried my best to be ‘good.’ I’ve never harmed another being except to protect our Clan. Helping Julian rescue Katherine. The battle in Greece. War has been around since the beginning of time, and it is a necessary evil. Getting Lucy away from the GIA is necessary for her well-being, and I have no problem with using my ability to achieve that goal. What her boss is doing, or having her do, is not okay. He needs to be stopped, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen. Just like Julian was willing to break the human laws to rescue Katherine.”

“I see what you’re saying. Are there any other secrets you’re hiding from me? If so, now would be a good time to come clean.”

Tamian didn’t hesitate to be honest. “I can hear thoughts. There are those with the ability to block their minds, both consciously and subconsciously. For that, I’m grateful. It took me a while to figure out how to block everyone out, because let me tell you; there are things you really don’t want to know about your parents and sister.” Tamian shuddered, remembering the first time he heard X’s voice in his head when he was planning on taking their mom to bed. He’d been ten, and that was not how he wanted to learn about sex. “I promise you now; I keep that part of me locked up tight. I wouldn’t want anyone invading my privacy in such a way. So, unless it’s trying to gain knowledge to help us save Lucy, I won’t be tapping into anyone’s thoughts.”

“I do not envy you that. Hell, most of the time I don’t want to be left alone with my own thoughts. There’s some crazy shit up here,” Tess said, tapping her temple. “Seriously, though. That has to be tough. Has it ever gotten to be too much?”

Tamian didn’t like to think back to those days, because the pain in his head had been excruciating. “Yeah, it has. Not so much lately, because like I said, I’ve learned how to tune it all out. But in the beginning, it was painful. The only time it gets to be too much is if I’m in a crowded space with lots of noise.”

Tessa reached over and gripped Tamian’s arm. “Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have tried to help you through it.”

“We were both young. I didn’t want to burden you with my problems.” He placed his hand on top of hers and gave it a squeeze. “And that is the last of my secrets.” Tamian’s phone buzzed with a text. After reading it, he said, “That was Jules. He said to check your email.”

While Tessa pulled up her email, Tamian went to the bar and poured another drink. It felt good to finally tell Tessa his secrets. He knew she’d share that information with Gregor, and Tamian was okay with that. If his brother-in-law didn’t trust him by now, he never would.

 

 

Rafael had never argued with Priscilla, nor had he pulled the “King” card, but he was at his wit’s end. His beloved housekeeper was wearing herself out by staying at the hospital, refusing to leave Jonathan’s side. Kaya had tried more than once to get the human to go home and rest, but she argued that her brother needed her. Rafael knew Jonathan needed some peace and quiet, not Priscilla constantly doting and fussing over him. To keep the peace within their household, he’d asked Jonas to step in and restrict overnight visitation. At least that way she was guaranteed to sleep in her own bed.

“Rafael! You have to do something. They’re kicking me out,” Priscilla cried.

So they wouldn’t upset Jonathan even more, Rafael guided her out into the hallway and led her to a private family room. “Priscilla, listen to me. You aren’t doing Jonathan any good by wearing yourself thin. I know you want to be with him, but you have to think about him for once. He needs his rest.”

Priscilla puffed up, the hurt evident by unshed tears. “Are you saying he doesn’t need me?”

“Of course he needs you, but you don’t sleep. He worries about you, and that’s not good for him. He needs to concentrate on himself. I promise you someone from the Clan will be here round-the-clock. You know we’re better equipped at keeping long hours. Now, I’m going to get Frey and Abbi to drive you home. I’ll stay here.”

“But Kaya needs you.”

“She does, but she needs her rest more. And she understands I’ll be home in the morning when Dante or Gregor come by to relieve me.”

“But that’s taking you all away from your jobs.”

“And it’s taking you away from yours as well. Do you honestly think your job isn’t as significant as the rest of ours? If anything, it’s more so. You have the most important job in the family; you take care of all of us, not just Jonathan. Now, please, go home and rest. I promise if something changes, we’ll have you back here before you can hide a batch of cookies from me.”

Priscilla’s shoulders drooped in defeat when the door opened, and Frey and Abbi stepped into the room. “Come on, Priscilla. Jasper and Trevor are watching Amelia at the manor, and she’s asking for you.” Abbi wrapped her arm around the older woman and pulled her toward the hallway. The tears she’d been holding back streamed down her face, and Rafael almost called her back. But Jonathan needed some peace that he’d only get without his sister hovering.

“Rafe?” Gregor said softly from behind.

Rafael turned, and Gregor held his arms open. He didn’t hesitate to walk into his younger brother’s embrace. The situation was hard on all of them, but Rafe could tell something else was on Gregor’s mind. When they pulled back, he said, “Talk to me.”

Gregor indicated the family room, and they stepped back into the private area and closed the door. “Why aren’t you with Tessa?”

“She… she’s fine with Tamian. They work well together, and besides, I’m needed at the Pen while Deacon gets his head on straight.”

“So, the doctor is his mate?”

“It would seem so, but he’s fighting it. Says he doesn’t have time to dedicate to a relationship right now.”

“Why not? We’ve all gone about our lives while getting to know our mates once we found them.”

“He says it’s because of the changes we’ve seen with the Unholy. But I think it’s more than that.”

“What changes?” Rafe asked. He trusted his Clan to take care of business while he focused on his mate’s pregnancy and now the issue with Jonathan.

“We’re seeing evidence of them acting more normal than before. I talked to both Kallisto and Sergei to find out if they know anything. Sergei has been in the Pen so long he has no idea, but when I told Kallisto she would never see the light of day unless she cooperated, she mentioned Drago. She admitted sending money to him before she fled Greece. I’ve tasked Remy and Kai with trying to track him down. If he has the resources, which it looks like he does, he could be using it to somehow control the Unholy. We both know the Greek Gargoyles didn’t come to the States to join our Clan.”

“You think he’s building an army?”

“Wouldn’t you? If you had few of your own kind backing you, wouldn’t you find a way to recruit others? Donovan called last week and let Frey know several of the Greeks have gone AWOL. That was to be expected, considering most were loyal to Alistair. Since Tamian’s out of town looking for his mate, we need to find someone to help Julian and Nik in the lab. They’ve both been working around the clock trying to find evidence of Gargoyles entering the city.”

“Nik needs to be home with Sophia. She’s almost as far along as Kaya.”

“She’s been staying at the lab with Nik, sleeping in the spare room. It’s not as hard on Julian and Katherine, but you know how it is being away from Kaya for any amount of time, pregnant or not.”

“Does Julian have any idea who could help them?” When Gregor hesitated to answer, Rafael shook his head. “No. He can’t seriously be considering Lachlan.”

“He is one of the best.”

“And he’s a traitor. I won’t allow him anywhere near our family.” Rafe ran his hands through his hair and blew out a deep breath. “Surely there has to be someone in a Clan as large as ours who is competent and trustworthy. I’ll call Sin and Dominic.”

“Don’t forget it was Sin who sent Lachlan to us. I’m not saying he’s a bad judge of character, but he is still beating himself up as much as Julian is over the whole situation.”

“I’m just as much at fault as Sinclair and Jules. But ultimately, Lachlan is the only one to blame for duping all of us. No. I will not allow him to have access to our lives again.”

“I understand. I just wanted to make you aware of what’s going on. Frey’s been trying to handle everything with regards to the Unholy and let you focus on your family. Don’t worry about contacting Sin and Dom. I’ll take care of that.”

“Thanks, Brother. Is that all? You seem tense. Is it because Tessa’s not here?”

“No. I don’t know. Something’s bothering her, but she insists she’s fine. I think it’s because she isn’t pregnant yet, but that’s only a hunch. It’s one reason I’m giving her some space to help Tamian.”

“Not all couples get pregnant immediately. Would it bother you if Tessa couldn’t get pregnant?”

“I’m not going to say it wouldn’t, because of course I want us to have children who come from our DNA, but if we have to adopt, I’m okay with that too. Sinclair and Rocky are going to have to go that route if they have children. I would never make Tessa feel less than because she couldn’t have my child. You know I love her more than anything.”

“Gregor, if you need to go be with her, do it. There are enough of us to handle things here.” Rafael could tell his brother was torn. He couldn’t imagine if Kaya was upset about something and he didn’t know what it was.

“No, I’m good with staying here. If she and Tamian need help, they’ll call. Besides, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“Tamian’s mate isn’t human, but neither is she a Gargoyle. She’s a Gryphon.”