Chapter Four

 

Following the GPS directions, I got from Kalkin earlier, I found the house we’d be spending the night in, in Memphis. We still had a little over a thousand miles of driving before I got Haley safely to Window Rock, Arizona.

All in all the house was pretty nondeceptive. Nothing out of the ordinary and looked like every other house on the block. Which was a good thing. We didn’t need to stand out or draw any additional attention.

I pulled into the driveway and threw the car into park before addressing Haley. “We’re here.”

Haley pulled her gaze from the book I’d bought her at one of the rest stops. Going by the racy cover it might not be age appropriate, but it kept her occupied, and that’s all I gave a shit about. She turned off the flashlight on my phone, pitching us into darkness. Since she’d been using it for a few hours, I’d have to charge it when we got inside.

Haley blinked, studying the neighborhood. “It’s a development.”

She shook her head like she couldn’t wrap her mind around it. I wasn’t sure what the big deal happened to be. It was a place to crash. Get some food, a shower, and a couple of hours of uninterrupted sleep. “Yeah. What’s your point?”

She snorted in disbelief. “Seriously? Like two people who the neighbors have never seen, pull in with a vehicle they don’t recognize, and the entire street is not going to call the cops or make a fuss? How the hell is that even possible?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “The house is listed as a rental on one of those online sites. The people on the street know it and expect people they’ve never seen arrive and leave at the house at all hours.”

“But it’s safe?” Haley inquired.

Pulling the keys from the ignition, I turned to Haley, wishing we could get out of the damn car and have this conversation in the house. My ass was numb, my legs ached from being in the same position, I was fucking starving, and I had to take a piss. “Yeah. It’s only used by the PRA and its affiliates. I’ve used the house a couple times and can assure you it’s fully stocked. It has clean sheets, a clean bathroom, and a bedroom you can crash in without having to share.” I gestured to the book. “If memory serves me right, you might find some trashy novels to help pass the time.”

Haley jumped out of the SUV, making her way to the front door, her half-read book clenched tightly in her hand.

I followed, grabbing my duffle bag and her backpack and joined her. I punched in the distinct six-digit code I’d been assigned years ago and waited for the locks to disengage. “Let me get this straight, you gave no shits about a place to sleep or eat and only cared about the possibility of more reading material?”

Haley rolled her eyes, and the corners of her lips turned up almost as if she was going to smile. “Would it make you feel better if I lied and told you I had to use the bathroom?”

The lock disengaged, and I pushed the heavy door open. Before stepping over the threshold, I leaned down and said, “No. Not really.”

Later, after we’d eaten, and I’d checked in with Kalkin, I’d send a message to Keeley and Danielle asking if they could order her one of those E-readers and a gift card. I figured Haley could buy whatever the hell she wanted, on my dime, of course. I’d noticed at my parents’ house and while we drove, the kid had a voracious reading appetite.

“Do me a favor, kid. Stay right where you all until I give the all clear.” I checked the entire house. Since it was a small rancher, and only had two bedrooms and one bathroom, it only took me a couple minutes. “It’s all clear, kid.”

Haley stepped completely inside, and I bolted the door shut. Her gaze darted around. “Bathroom?”

I gestured to the small hallway to the right. “First door on the right.”

When Haley returned, I used the facilities then made my way to the kitchen. We had to eat. I opened the freezer and peered inside. Nothing really floated my boat. Lunch had been well over six hours ago. Even if I didn’t like it, I had to find something. I dug through the rectangle boxes until I found a couple of frozen lasagna dinners. I put them in the microwave and started it. “We’ve got eight maybe ten hours of driving tomorrow. I suggest we grab a quick dinner and hit the sack as soon as possible.”

The kid said nothing. I expected to find her curled up with the book, trying to finish it before lights out. Instead, I found her on the couch, legs drawn up to her chest and a blank, exhausted look on her face.

“Haley,” I called, getting her attention. “Stay with me, kid. I’ll get you fed and in bed in under an hour. I just need to know what you’d prefer.”

When she finally answered, I could hear how tired she was. “Okay. Food would be great. Thanks.”

“Go grab a shower. I put towels out for you. They’re resting on the sink. The shower has everything you could need. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

It took her a minute, but she finally got up and meandered into the bathroom. The poor kid hadn’t ever done anything like this before. Upending whatever life, she had at the home couldn’t have been good for her or her fragile mind. Seconds later, the water pipes groaned to life, indicating she’d done as I told her.

In between keeping an eye on the food and following the directions on the back of the box, I threw some silverware on the table and got us two bottles of water from the fridge. I eyeballed the single bottle of beer tucked in the back of the fridge.

I recognized the label immediately. It was Mane’s, one of my best friends and a fellow PRA agent. He’d obviously holed up here not too long ago, and knowing the cagey lion shifter, he’d left it as a welcoming gift for the next occupant.

The temptation of drinking even one beer, wasn’t a good idea. I was exhausted, and the beer would hit me like a ton of bricks, knocking my ass out. I needed to remain on my toes, ever vigilant.

The bathroom door creaked open moments later, and Haley appeared in the doorway. Haley’s wet hair clung to her shirt as she exited the space and crossed the hall to the spare room. Her face wasn’t as pinched, and the tiredness circling her eyes, dissipated.

Before I could say dinner was ready, the microwave dinged, announcing it. Haley stepped out of the room seconds later, tying her hair back with a hair band. I removed the hot box and placed it on the table. “It doesn’t smell half bad.”

She grinned, and for the first time, I noticed the smile reached her eyes. “Are you kidding me? I love these things. Sometimes, when we got a little extra money, Mrs. Murphey would buy this exact kind for me. She hid them in the extra freezer.” Haley picked up her fork and dug in, groaning a bit as she ate.

I watched her eat half of her food before I even started mine. “There is another one in the freezer if you’re still hungry after you finish that one.”

Her eyes flared with interest, but Haley shook her head. “One is plenty.”

It was then I realized why Haley was so thin. I’d bet the hundred-dollar bill resting in my wallet, the young woman often gave up or shared her portion of food with the younger kids. “If you’re hungry, you eat. We have people whose job it is to stock the house after every guest. You’re not taking food out of anyone’s mouth.” The look of eager anticipation on her face told me my assumption had been correct. I placed my hand over hers and made her a solemn promise. “You’ll never have to give up or go without again.”

Silence ensued while both of us ate our meals. I wasn’t really as impressed with my meal as Haley was, but I also grew up with a mom who made home-cooked meals every night and kickass homemade lasagna. I still couldn’t figure out why my protective instincts were stronger for Haley. They just were. And not in a perverted way either. When I looked at her, I saw... fuck, I saw a girl who I thought of as my own kid.

Whoa.

Those thoughts, or feelings, had never happened before. Had to be my age. I wasn’t getting any younger. In six months, I’d be thirty-five. Not old by any means, especially since shifters had a longer life spans than humans. I knew what my problem was. I was tired. Tired of my lonely existence with my shitty apartment, where no one eagerly waited for me after each mission.

Sure, I had friends in Window Rock. Good, close friends. Mane and Crow were like the brothers I never had, and I valued their friendship. Sucked that I only had male friends waiting for me after a mission and not a mate. I guess I never took the time to find the one. The yearning, before I buried the fuck out of it, got worse particularly after living in Window Rock and seeing all the happily mated guys with their families.

Haley broke through my maudlin thoughts when she pushed her seat back, the metal chair scrapping the old linoleum floor. She took her now empty box and dumped it in the trash before heading to the single couch in the living room.

“Half an hour of TV, then you’re going to bed. I’m getting a shower, and we’re up at the crack of dawn tomorrow,” I said, joining her moments later.

She nodded. “Okay.”

“Bunch of books in there. If you want to go through them, take whatever you want with you. It’ll keep you occupied.” I pointed to the bookshelves behind the couch and to the left.

I clicked the TV on and found a show about a guy who travels around the world debunking known folklore like Bigfoot and shit. The guy hadn’t been too far off, but most of what he said was bullshit, yet also entertaining.

Haley came back to the couch with a few books in her hands. “If they only knew Big Foot actually existed.”

I snorted. Folklore was usually based on fact at one point in history. You just had to weed out what was bullshit and what was the truth. Whatever you wanted to call them, Bigfoot, Yeti, or Sasquatch—they’re considered one of the rarest shifters. They prefer to remain hidden, in their natural form, among the woods in small clans. “People would lose their ever-loving minds if they knew the truth.”

Humans knew shifters existed, they just didn’t know to what extent and how many different kinds there actually were. For the most part, the world’s population were unaware of Vampires, Demons, and Dark Fae since those creatures tended to be unpredictable and scary as hell. At least, to a human’s mind. Mankind still believed Vampires hunted, drained their prey, and turned people into the undead.

Yeah, Vampires had the occasional rogue who did, in fact, revert to the old ways. It happened to shifters, too. And, thankfully, contingency plans were in place for it, if and when it happened.

I stood while clicking off the TV. “Bedtime, kid.” Haley didn’t protest and got up, making her way down the hall. “Night.”

Haley mumbled goodnight and promptly fell face first onto her bed.

“I’m going to grab a quick shower, make sure the house is secure, and hit the sack. I’m right across the hall if you need me.” I grinned when Haley waved her arm in acknowledgment. 

I yawned, stepping into the bathroom. After I started the shower to warm, I went to the master bedroom and grabbed my shorts out of my bag. When I returned, the little bathroom was filled with steam from the shower.

The hot water beat down on the sore muscles of my neck and shoulders when I finally stepped under the spray. Flying would have eased all my aches and pains, however it wasn’t an option tonight. Haley was exhausted. If what she told me was true, and she hadn’t shifted in a long time, trying to get her to now would wear down the last of her reserves.

Once I was finished washing up, I dressed then did a quick perimeter check of the small house. All the windows and doors were locked and secured. I’d checked Haley’s earlier, so I didn’t have to disturb her.

I plugged my cell phone in and placed it, along with my keys and my loaded gun on the beat-up nightstand beside the bed. I groaned as I got under the covers and for a split second I feared, I wouldn’t go to sleep.

The sound of my phone ringing pulled me from my dreams of a curvy woman with sable hair and amber eyes. Reluctantly, I reached for the insistent phone, thinking it was time to get up.

It wasn’t.

I peered at the illuminated faced and saw the call came from a restricted number. Every inch of my body went on alert. Nothing good ever happened at three am, that’s for damn sure. Swiping the green phone icon to the right I immediately heard a panicked female voice.

She was breathing hard as she whispered my code name, “Allan.” Only trusted people within the organization knew it, and, therefore, I sat up, paying attention.

“Yeah.” I kept my voice low while grabbing the gun off the night stand.

“Morning Star.” Her curt tone seized my attention. “You’ve got trouble. Get out. Get out now. Get the girl and go.” The person rambled off an address, then the line went dead.

Shit.

I opened up my senses, allowing my raven, who’d detect the danger, to the surface while I tucked my phone into my pocket. I sat there for another beat, then stood, palming the keys as well. I slipped my feet into my boots. My movements were calculated, so as not to tip whoever was near, off. I grabbed my go-bag and headed down the hall.

I could hear Haley’s soft snores through the door. She was safe. For now. I also heard something else. The distinct sound of a round being chambered. My blood went cold. Haley was my priority. I needed to get into her room to protect her.

I’d purposely left the light over the stove on in case Haley woke in the middle of the night. Someone had shut it off. All I could see were shadows and shades of grey associated with my bird’s vision. A large, hulking, outline of a man stood off to the right at the end of the hallway. Another silhouette appeared from near the front door. The idiots were whispering about what they were going to do next—something they should have thought to do before breaking into the house. I inhaled their scent. Both of them were human.

Not that I gave a shit. This wasn’t my first rodeo, and I was well trained. Kalkin Raferty and those who worked for him had made sure of it. The only way out was through the window in Haley’s room. It would be a tight fit. Worst case scenario, I’d shift, fly through, and we’d hightail it out of there.

First thing first, though, getting into her room without making a sound. I grabbed the knob and turned the handle. The kid was still face down on the bed, sprawled out as she been when she’d thrown herself there. I’d have to wake her and pray like hell she didn’t scream her head off.

I whispered her name, shaking her slightly. “Haley.” When she didn’t stir, I said her name a bit louder. “Haley!” Jesus. This kid slept like the dead.

The creaking of the hardwood floors told me our nighttime visitors were getting closer. Keeping my gaze on the door, I watched as one figure slipped into my room, and the other turned toward Haley’s. Time was up. I took aim at the shadow and pulled the trigger. A grunt of pain accompanied the heavy thump of his body hitting the floor. One down. One to go.

Haley sat up, rubbing her eyes. “What the hell was that?”

If we weren’t in the situation we were in, I might have laughed, instead, I gave out terse orders. “Open the window and get the hell out of here. Now. Don’t look back.”

For once, Haley didn’t argue. She jumped out of bed, while I used my body to cover her. The other would be kidnapper hurried down the hall towards Haley’s room. He stood over his fallen companion, giving Haley enough time to open the window and get out.

Without an ounce of hesitation, he leveled his gun on me and shot. The bullet whizzed by my head. I crouched down. I eased my way over to the window when he fired again. It slammed into the wall behind me near the window. I had to be careful. In such close quarters, Haley could be hit, and I couldn’t risk that.

“Let me help!” Haley pleaded.

I debated it for about a millisecond before yelling, “Do it!”

A wave of heat rushed past me, singeing the hair on my arms as it filled the room. A stream of fire rolled and looped it way towards the other bastard with a gun. The flames fascinated me. Never once, did it touch a wall or the floor. For as out of control as Haley had been in the video placed on the internet, she was fully in command at the moment.

If Kalkin learned I allowed the sixteen-year-old to use her powers to help them, he’d most likely neuter me. Slowly and painfully. Nonetheless, I didn’t really give a shit. My job was to keep Haley safe, and I’d do anything and everything to make sure that happened. Even allowing her to use her powers.

A glint of metal caught my attention, and I fired off several shots before diving through the window. Searing pain tore through my arm, but I ignored it. I couldn’t assess my injuries until we were on the road and safe.

Haley stood in the backyard staring at the house. When I opened fire, she lost control. The house went up in flames. I yelled her name to get her attention. Her terror-filled grey eyes locked with mine, and I knew she was going into shock.

“Move, Haley.” I pushed her out through the fence towards the vehicle while hitting the key fob to unlock it.

She was more sluggish than I needed her to be at the moment. I didn’t know for certain what clicked for her, but she got her shit in gear and hurried to the passenger side of the car. She slipped, falling on the gravel as she reached for the car door. She cried out in pain, and the scent of her blood filled the night air. I opened her door for her, and it was then, I noticed she didn’t have her bag or her shoes. Son of a bitch. 

I couldn’t worry about it now. Later, when we were safe, I’d get her taken care of. In no time, I had the car in reverse, and we were tearing down the street and out of the subdivision. “Haley, kiddo, are you hurt?”

Haley croaked out, “No.”

A quick glance at Haley told me what I needed to know. Her face was pale and harsh shudders tore through her. She was in shock and pretty much useless to me at this moment. I had to try, though.

“You sure?” I asked.

“Yes.” She wouldn’t look at me.

“Listen, I’m gonna need your help here. Can you pull yourself together?” Her head bobbed up and down, a whimper escaping her pale lips. “I’m fine.”

“Plug the following address in the GPS,” I said.

Her hands trembled as she entered the address I gave her. It took several tries for her to get it in correctly, but when she did, the GPS started spouting off distance and where to turn. I flipped on the heater in the seat to warm her up, and hopefully, knock her out of her shocked stupor.

When she finally spoke, her voice wobbled with fear. “You’re hurt.”

I snorted. “Not the first time, kid. Once we get to our destination, I’ll shift and be as right as rain.” I glanced at the GPS. “We’ve got about a forty-five-minute drive. Close your eyes and try to rest.”

Bright-red blood continued to trickle down my arm. The bullet had gone right through, but it still hurt like a bitch. My gaze flickered to the rear-view mirror every other minute as I drove, making sure no one followed us.

So far, so good.