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The instant she spoke, his family’s tenuous grip on propriety shattered. Chattering all at once, the female members, young and old alike, surrounded Lilly, touching, patting, smoothing back her hair. Kane held on to her hand, and felt her suddenly go rigid. Still, he didn’t interfere—he wouldn’t unless she asked him. She’d have to get used to his family sooner or later. Might as well jump in the deep end and learn how to swim.
Of course, the gentle pressure of his fingers on hers let her knew he’d always be her life preserver. Always.
While the women made a fuss over Lilly, the masculine contingent regarded Kane with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
“She’s beautiful,” his brother Kyle said, cuffing him on the arm.
“Damn.” His other brother Kris breathed, barely taking his gray eyes off Lilly. “How’d you rate a woman like that?”
Kane’s father chuckled, rubbing his shiny bald head. “Boys, he already told you he brought her here to keep her safe. He’s her bodyguard, nothing more.”
As one, both of Kane’s younger brothers turned to look at their father, disbelief plain on their rugged faces. “You’re telling me you believe him?” they asked in unison.
The elder McGraw shrugged. “Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Before Kane could respond, Lilly squeezed his hand, hard, letting him know she’d reached her limit of endurance.
Without hesitation, he turned away from his father and brothers and gently began moving his mother, sister, sisters-in-law and cousins aside. “Come on ladies, give her a little space. We’ve been driving for four long days and she’s exhausted. Let me take her to our cabin so she can rest up.”
Lilly shot him a grateful look before her long lashes swept down to hide her eyes.
“But you’ll still be coming tonight for dinner, won’t you?” his mother asked, self-consciously patting her long gray braid. Kane gave a reassuring nod. If he knew her, and he did, she’d spent the past ten hours cooking. His mouth watered at the thought.
“Here you go, son.” His dad tossed him a set of keys. “I had cabin nine made ready for you, just like you requested.”
Catching the keys, Kane grinned his thanks, then shepherded Lilly back into the car. Once he’d closed the door behind her, he crossed to the driver’s side. “See you later,” he said, lifting his hand in a wave.
Once he closed the door, cutting off the noise outside, he started the engine. “You all right?”
“Yes.” The wobbly answer told him she wasn’t, not exactly, but he knew she’d be fine.
“They mean well,” he told her.
“I know,” she said, her slight smile curving her lips surprising him. “And even though they’re Shifters, they don’t bite.”
A joke? Was she making a joke? Just in case she was, he grinned back at her.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Our cabin. It’s the most isolated one, and also the most difficult to get to. There’s only one way in, at least by road.”
The gravel road crunched under their tires as they passed the first four rental cabins. Made of wood and surrounded by towering trees, these were clustered around a parklike garden, complete with wild rose bushes in vivid colors, a vine-covered arbor and a wood-and-metal bench. A stone wolf statue occupied a place of honor in the middle, as if it had been meant to be a shrine of sorts. At one time in his family’s long history of owning this land, Kane supposed it had been.
“That’s beautiful,” she breathed. He couldn’t tell if she meant the garden or the statue or both. Either way, though the land and the place glowed with earthen beauty, none of it could hold a candle to her.
“Yes,” he answered, his heart full. The road curved ahead of them, steadily climbing through the untamed forest. The next four wooden cabins sat in a semi-circle to the right, situated around a small, spring-fed lake. A doe and two fawns looked up at their approach and vanished into the woods.
At the sight, Kane’s inner wolf snarled, reminding him that soon they’d go hunting. Maybe even tonight after the big meal if they followed tradition. He’d have to make sure Lilly knew and offer her the choice to join them or retreat to their cabin.
“I’ve counted eight,” she said, leaning forward to peer into the forest. “How many are there?”
“Nine. Ours is my favorite. It sits up at the top of a rise in the land, with a pretty good view of the entire acreage.” Not to mention it was pretty damn near impossible to approach the cabin from any direction without being seen.
A slight frown creased her brow. “Exactly how isolated is it?”
“Not too far.” They climbed in earnest now. “We’re almost there.”
One more curve in the road, and the cabin came into view. Unlike the others, this was made of stone. Two giant oak trees sheltered it. “This one is older than the others,” he told her. “Originally, this was where my ancestors lived.”
Though she nodded, he didn’t tell her the significance of this. His entire family spoke of the power lingering in the ancient stones. In addition to being easily defensible, Kane had the vague hope that cabin nine might help Lilly heal.
They crested the hill, parking next to the covered porch. He killed the engine, pocketed the keys and climbed out. He’d made it halfway around the car, meaning to open her door, but she beat him to it. She unfolded her long and shapely legs and climbed out of his low-slung car. Stretching, she cocked her head and studied the house.
“I feel it again.”
He understood what she meant. “It’s a ley line. The strength of the earth, made manifest.”
A shadow crossed her pretty face. “Are you sure you don’t mean demons?”
Cursing the man who’d caused her to think something so natural was evil, he shook his head. “No. It’s good energy. Beneficial. Since our kind has such close ties to the earth and the sky and moon, we appreciate and honor such places of power.”
Holding utterly still, she considered his words. “Places? Are there more than one?”
“Yes.” Relaxing again, he took her arm and steered her up on the porch. “I’ve been lucky enough to feel several of them.”
Unlocking the door of the cabin, he flicked on the light switch. “After you. This will be our home for the next several weeks.”
Gliding past him, she inspected the interior, from the weathered wood of the old plank floors to the cast-iron stove. The windows were double-paned and new, and over the years, different parts of the cabin had been updated. The most recent renovation had been to the bathroom.
He watched as she walked all around, wondering if she could sense the history trapped inside the old stone walls. Sometimes, late at night, he almost felt the ghosts of times long gone drifting up from the rocks.
Finally, she looked up and met his gaze. A reluctant smile hovered at the edge of her lush mouth. “Very nice.” She swallowed, her cheeks turning pink. “But there’s only one bed.”
“I know.” He indicated the couch. “That makes into a bed. I’ll bunk there.”
Relief palpable, she nodded.
He glanced at his watch. “We have about an hour until they’ll expect us back at the main house for dinner. Do you want to freshen up or take a nap or...”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m not sure.” If he’d been alone, he’d already have turned and headed back to the house to be with his family. But since he knew this would be rough enough on her as it was, he wouldn’t ask that of her. Nor would he leave her alone. Until the missing Sanctuary members were arrested, he didn’t plan to let Lilly Gideon out of his sight.
“I think I’d like to take a walk,” she said, surprising him. “After so long in the car, my legs could use a bit of a hike.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Crossing to the door, he held it open. “After you.”
She didn’t move. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone.”
Compassion warred with common sense. “I’m sorry, but right now that’s not a good idea.”
He expected her to argue. Or maybe just challenge his statement. Instead, she dipped her chin in a sort of resigned acceptance and moved past him. He fought the urge to take her arm, and only the knowledge that she wouldn’t have made it so long if she wasn’t a fighter, kept him from demanding she try harder for what she wanted.
“How about I stay a bit behind you?” he offered. “Give you some space without leaving you completely alone?”
All the light had faded from her eyes, leaving them as dark as a storm. “Suit yourself.”
So he did. Since she hadn’t indicated a preference, he remained right by her side. Unspeaking, yet close enough to touch.
They’d barely gone a quarter mile when she stopped and rounded on him. “I understand you take this guarding me thing seriously,” she began, “but I barely know you.”
“You will,” he said softly. “And, yes, I do take keeping you safe very seriously.”
Her expressive face revealed a combination of frustration and determination. “I’m used to being alone. Even when I was staying with Lucas and Blythe, they were kind enough to give me some space.”
“No worries. You’ll have your liberty again, once those last three Sanctuary people are caught. Until then, I’m afraid you’re going to have to put up with me. I’ll be keeping you very, very close.”
Jerking her head in a stiff nod, she turned and walked briskly away. He almost laughed, well aware of what she was trying to do. She didn’t realize his long stride would enable him to effortlessly catch up to her without him having to run. If he wanted to, that is. He’d offered to give her as much space as he could, and that’s what he intended to do. At least for right now.
So he dropped back, keeping his distance, and tried to ignore the enticing sway of her hips as he followed behind.
* * *
Lilly fumed, hating the way that once again, she had absolutely no control over her life. Even though she couldn’t help but admire Kane’s steadfast determination and his attempt to give her a small modicum of privacy, his refusal to let her walk alone angered and frustrated her.
Of course it didn’t help her mood that she’d be paralyzed with terror if he actually did set her loose.
So she strode off, her fast pace practically daring him to keep up. A few offhand glances over her shoulder revealed he didn’t seem to be having any trouble. She walked and walked, at first thinking she’d go until the path ended. Eventually she realized the trails apparently crisscrossed the woods for miles. Defeated yet again, she spun around and motored on past him, refusing to look at him even though she knew she was acting childish. After all, none of this was his fault.
Back at the cabin, she found herself still jumpy and out of sorts. She’d thought a good hike through the woods might soothe her—nature often did. But instead, she’d been ever conscious of the large man walking behind her, ready to rush to her side at the slightest threat and defend her. Her conflicted emotions about this didn’t do anything to help improve her state of mind.
Part of her liked the way having him near made her feel protected. But part of her hated the necessity. She liked that he’d said he’d teach her to protect herself. As soon as they were settled in, she’d demand he make good on that promise.
Meanwhile, there was the dinner with his family to get through.
She didn’t know why she felt so nervous about everything. The jangling rawness angered her, made her wish she could be a different person. After all, these were just regular people. They weren’t going to shackle her to a machine and send volts of electricity coursing through her system. Having dinner with Kane’s family shouldn’t matter—a simple meal would be minor compared to the numerous atrocities she’d suffered at the hands of her father’s minions in her fifteen years of captivity.
Thinking this helped. She squared her shoulders, dragged a brush through the tangle of her long hair and headed out into the living area where Kane waited.
He gave her a long look, and then offered his arm. “Are you ready?”
Forcing herself to move forward, she hesitated, just short of touching him. “Are we walking?”
“We can.” His cheerful smile struck a chord of warmth inside her. “Though we might need a flashlight to make it back. There are no streetlights here, just cabin lights.”
She frowned, trying to decide.
“Or we can drive,” he added. “Whichever is easiest on you.”
“Let’s walk.” More time to get herself psyched. “I don’t mind a flashlight later.” And she took his arm, the warmth of his skin sending a flush of warmth into her hand.
The woods were beautiful, a leafy canopy through which slashes of sky teased the eye. The gravel crunched under their feet as they made their way back toward the main house.
They’d just rounded the last turn, passing by the first four cabins, when a childish shout rang out. Kane shot her a rueful smile. “We’ve been spotted.”
She couldn’t help but tense. Her unease must have communicated itself to him through her hand.
“It’s okay,” he said. “They’re only children.”
The words had barely left his mouth when they were surrounded by kids of all ages and sizes.
“Uncle Kane!” They attached themselves to Kane, full of a joyous exuberance that made Lilly smile. One of the little girls, seeing the smile, shyly tugged on Lilly’s shirt.
“Hi, I’m Candace,” she said. “I’m five. Are you Uncle Kane’s girlfriend?”
“Um, no.” Despite herself, Lilly blushed. “We’re just friends.”
“You’re a girl. If you’re friends, then you must be his girlfriend.”
Grinning, Kane ruffled Candace’s mop of red hair. “It’s hard to argue with logic like that,” he said, winking at her. Seeing that, some of the tightness eased off Lilly’s chest. Just some, but at least now she could breathe.
With children dancing around them as if they were some sort of pied pipers, they reached the main house. A knot settled low in Lilly’s stomach. She had zero practice with any kind of social situations. After all, the only interactions she’d had in the past fifteen years had been with her captor and the doctors who’d tortured her in the name of Sanctuary.
She felt as if she was about to take a blind leap off a cliff. Which she knew was foolish—this was only dinner, after all—but she couldn’t help herself.
“It’s going to be okay,” Kane murmured, his breath tickling her ear. “I promise.”
And then he pulled open the door and they went inside.
Her first impression was the chaos and the noise. A blur of activity—people and food and music—so much the swirl of energy overwhelmed her. She took a step back, forgetting Kane still had her hand engulfed in his.
“Come on.” Smiling in reassurance, he tugged her into the middle of the maelstrom. As she tried to hold back the rising tide of fear, the creature inside her raised its bruised and battered head and curled its lip in the beginnings of a snarl.
The beast. Her beast. No. Not now. Fear changed to horror, to panic, to terror. She froze as the thing within her stretched, flexing its claws, making a garbled, sorrowful song low in its battered throat.
All around her, in the middle of the noise, people began looking around, sniffing the air, as if they somehow sensed the struggle being waged inside her. Maybe they did, perhaps this was a Shifter thing, but she knew whatever the creature inside her might be, it wasn’t the same as theirs.
If she had her way, her beast would never again see the light of day. She’d vowed this, no matter the cost. She had to save the rest of the world from its awful vengeance, even if she had to die trying.
Kane turned to look at her, at the same time tightening his grip on her fingers. Something must have shown in her face. Using his body to block her from their sight, he shepherded her away from the others.
Chapter 5
“Come with me.” The deep rumble of his voice sent a shudder through her. She felt as if he’d tossed her an invisible lifeline. Grateful, she went where he led, ashamed of the way she clung to him, yet unable to do more than that.
Inside her, the creature still stirred, wary now.
He took her down a long, narrow hallway and into a small room that had apparently once been a bedroom but had been converted to a craft room/storage space/office. Once inside, he kicked the door closed behind him.
