Embrace the Highland Warrior (7 page)

The man looked at Shay and rubbed his nose. “I can see. I didn’t have your home number, only your address.”

“You know this stalker?” Shay demanded.

“I’m not a stalker,” the stranger said.

“Then why are you stalking me?”

“He’s a friend,” Cody said.

“A friend?” Why had Cody sent a
friend
to spy on her? “I guess I need to apologize to the other guy for hitting him,” Shay said.

Cody frowned. “What other guy?”

“The one inside the house.”

Cody tensed. “Who’s with you?” he asked the stranger.

“No one.”

Cody released Shay so fast she staggered to catch her balance, and both men rushed past her into the house. Shay hurried after them.

“What in blazes?” Cody looked at the bookshelf knocked over and books strewn across the floor. “Did you see anyone?” he asked the stranger.

“No. I just got here when I heard a scream and ran to help. She came at me like a madwoman.”

“The last time I saw you in Scotland, I thought you were going to attack me,” she said. “You shouldn’t creep around spying on people.”

The stranger gave her an exasperated look, similar to the one Cody wore. “I was trying to protect you.”

“Well, you should have introduced yourself and said, ‘Hey, I’m here to protect you,’ instead of scaring the daylights out me.”

Marcas rushed in the front door, with Lachlan right behind him, hopping as he shoved one foot into his boot. “What’s going on?”

“Someone just broke in here,” Cody said.

“I thought I heard something tearing through the woods,” Lachlan said. His sense of hearing was unmatched.

“Shay, lock the doors. We’ll search the woods,” Cody said. “Let’s go, before the tracks get cold.”

***

The night was dark, the moon hidden behind clouds. Cody tuned in his vision and saw something dart between the trees. He sprinted toward it, but nothing was there. He stood still and listened, sniffing the air. There was a strange smell, almost sweet, and everything was quiet.

Too quiet, he realized, a second before something slammed him into a tree. Cody caught a glimpse of pale hair and lunged, tackling the man low. The guy felt like he was made of metal. Cody heard a grunt and tree limbs breaking as they fell. The moon emerged. There was a whooshing sound, and the man disappeared. Cody spun around, but his opponent was gone. Alarm prickled up his spine. A stalker, and now this? Had the clan been wrong about Shay? He wouldn’t let anything harm her, not after he’d just gotten her back. He turned around and bumped into Shay.

“What are you doing out here?”

“I’m not staying inside. Let’s go after him, before he gets away,” she said.

“I didn’t see which way he went,” Cody said.

“He ran that way.” She pointed north.

“You saw him?” How was that possible, when he hadn’t? “You need to get inside.”

“No. I want to help.”

Cody took her arm and escorted her back to the house. They met Faelan coming around back.

“Nothing in the barn or behind it,” Faelan said.

“I saw him, but he got away. Shay said he went north.”

“Shay?” Faelan said, looking surprised.

***

“If the stalker was here, then who’s in jail?” Shay asked. Cody had a tight grip on her arm as he pulled her into the house.

“That would have been me. Faelan Connor, ma’am.”

Faelan was tall and muscular, with long, dark hair pulled back in a ribbon, exceptionally good-looking. Shay was used to being surrounded by tall, exceptionally good-looking men, but most of them weren’t in kilts, even when she lived in Scotland.

Cody turned to Faelan. “You were in jail?”

“Afraid so. Bad timing, and she definitely has a stalker. I’m not sure which variety, if you understand what I mean.”

“Did you get a look at him?” Cody asked.

“No. Police arrested me before I could go after him.”

“You didn’t smell him?” Cody asked.

Shay glanced from Faelan to Cody. Smell him?

“No,” Faelan said. “But there was definitely something in the shop with her. It ran out the back when I came in, and I glimpsed a shadow watching her earlier, but not enough to make out if it was a man or…” he trailed off, giving Cody a furtive look.

“It wasn’t a woman,” Shay said. “It was a man. He had big feet.” She glanced at Cody’s square-toed boots.

Cody turned to Faelan. “You tailed her wearing that?”

“Didn’t have time to change,” Faelan said.

“Keep an eye on Shay. I’m going to track him.”

“I’m not staying with him,” she said, looking at Faelan’s dagger.

Cody shook his head. “Then come with me.” He led her into her bedroom.

“What are we doing here? We need to help them.” Where had this bravery come from? Was it because Cody was with her?

“You can’t leave the room,” he said.

“We’re just going to wait here while they search? No. I’m going to help.” She turned to leave the room, but Cody stopped her.

“Damn it.” He touched his necklace. “Look out the window.”

Shay turned and opened the curtain. “What?” There was a whirring noise. Cody grabbed her wrist and slapped it to the headboard. Shay heard a click. He’d cuffed her hand to the bed. “What are you doing? Let me go!” She struggled, rattling the bed.

“Sorry, but I need you to stay put.”

“You bastard!” She tried to hit him, but Cody pulled her close, trapping her free arm.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, pressing his cheek to hers, “but I have to protect you.” He kissed her and left.

Shay yanked at the handcuffs as he locked the door and closed it behind him, but she hurt her arm, and she was afraid she would damage the bed. She could dismantle the headboard, but she wasn’t going to ruin an antique just to get free. She sat down, fuming, cursing, calling Cody every name she could conjure. She examined the handcuffs. She’d never seen any like them. They were etched with symbols and made of a strange metal she couldn’t identify, not quite silver or gold. They must be antique. After the adrenaline rush left and there was still no sign of Cody or the stalker, she grew tired. Her arm was burning again. She lay down, thinking of ways to kill Cody, and fell asleep.

***

Cody listened at the door. It was quiet inside. He had a moment of panic until he saw the door was still locked, and then another when he remembered how good she used to be at climbing out her window. He’d been gone for an hour. If she had escaped, he would probably never see her again. His fingers fumbled as he picked the lock. He eased the door open. She lay on the bed, asleep, one arm dangling from the headboard. His gut tightened. He walked over to her, torn between dread and relief that she hadn’t left. She was going to be furious. He was angry at himself for not putting the clues together—her panic after the lake and the scream in the bathroom—and angry at her for not telling him. Didn’t she know by now that he would move heaven and earth to protect her?

He looked at the shackles holding her to the bed and realized he had come close to doing that. He hadn’t thought twice about it. He’d let concern for her make him forget the rules. Again. He rubbed the brand on his wrist, imagining the Council’s outrage if they found out. Michael wouldn’t be happy about it, either. Well, the Council and Michael didn’t have the troublesome task of protecting Shay.

Cody debated whether to leave her shackled while he explained why he locked her up. Either way, there would be hell to pay. What really worried him was what she would do when she found out he hadn’t told her the whole truth. And he would have to tell her soon.

A voice came from the doorway. “Hey, we’re heading back to the house—hell’s bells, you didn’t.” Lach gaped at the shackles on Shay’s wrist. “Are you out of your bloody mind?”

“I had to do something fast. She was trying to get outside and track down her stalker. It was either use the shackles or sit on her.” He knew they wouldn’t hurt her, he’d used them once on a minion.

“You’d better hope the Council doesn’t find out. I don’t care if you have suspended an ancient demon, they’d rip you apart for this.”

“I couldn’t let her go running around with a stalker on the loose. There isn’t a chance in hell that he’s human. He was too strong and too fast. I have to protect her.”

“You’d better think about protecting yourself. When she wakes up, she’s going to be loaded for bear. I just saw her finger twitch. I’m out of here.” Lach gave him a nasty grin. “Have fun.”

Cody sighed. Might as well get it over with. He removed the shackles, returned them, and bent over her. “Shay, wake up.”

Her eyes flew open. She planted both hands against his chest and shoved, knocking him on his back, then sprang on top of him. “How dare you handcuff me to a bed?” she yelled, punctuating each word with a shake that rattled his brain. He didn’t fight back. She had to get it out of her system, and he didn’t blame her. He’d be more than pissed if someone shackled him.

She landed a fist into his stomach, and the breath rushed out of him. Okay, enough was enough. He captured her hands and rolled, trapping her under him.

“Get off me, you oaf.”

“I’ll get off when you stop beating the snot out of me.”

She let out a war cry and lunged for his throat, teeth bared. Intrigued, he hesitated a second too long, and she sank her teeth into his neck. A jolt of desire shot straight to his groin. He’d never been one for the rough stuff, but damn! He pulled back before she could do more than leave a bruise. He trapped her legs with his and held her hands above her head, letting his full weight press her into the soft mattress. She still struggled but could move only enough to get him excited.

“I’m sorry, Shay. I had to do it. It was too dangerous to let you go traipsing through the woods. I had to keep you safe.”

“What if he was hiding in one of the other bedrooms and sneaked in here while I was handcuffed to the bed? You left me so I couldn’t even protect myself.”

“Lach heard him out in the woods, but that’s why I locked the door, just in case. If this guy had broken it down to get to you, you would’ve screamed, and I would’ve come running. I was never far from the house. I heard every name you called me.”

Her eyes still flashed fire, but her breath was steadier, and she kept glancing at his mouth. He thought that was a good thing. He wondered if she’d calmed enough not to hit him, because he should move. She had to notice the effect all the wiggling around was having on him. He felt her hips push against his, and he groaned. He relaxed his grip and lowered his head, letting his lips touch her chin. He kissed his way to her mouth, and she head-butted him in the nose.

While the stars exploded in his head, she shoved him aside and bolted out the door. He jumped up and went after her as she pounded down the stairs. He caught up with her outside. She was swinging her purse like a whip, headed for the car.

“Where are you going?” he demanded.

“Get away from me.”

“You can’t leave.”

“Watch me.” She opened the door. “I’m tired of people hiding things from me. I thought you were going to stop. Now you’re handcuffing me to the bed.”

“I explained it to you.”

“Don’t touch me,” she said, jerking away when he grabbed her arm.

“You’re not leaving.”

Shay straightened her shoulders. “You can’t stop me.”

He grabbed her, tossed her over his shoulder, kicked the car door shut, and stomped up the steps.

“Put me down!” Shay kicked and twisted, cursing at him. He dumped her on her feet inside the door.

She blew her hair out of her face, and as soon as she could see, she threw a punch at his chin. He deflected it and grabbed her arm. “Stop hitting me.”

“How dare you throw me over your shoulder like some kind of caveman,” she spat, trying to wrench her arm free. It didn’t work, so she used her knee.

“Ah, not there.” Cody trapped her knee. “I made the mistake of letting you leave here nine years ago without listening to me. By God, I won’t do it again. You’ll listen if I have to sit on you,” he growled.

She drew back her other arm, and before she could throw the punch, he had her on the floor and was sitting astride her, pinning her wrists to the floor. She bucked and twisted, but he held her down. “We can do this all night if you want, but you’re going to listen to me this time.”

“Listen to more lies? You’re still hiding things from me. Like the fact that you have Nina’s entire house under surveillance. Like the fact that you’ve got a Bat Cave in your basement. Like the fact that you were in Scotland when the stalking started.”

“You think I’m your stalker?” he yelled. “Me! I’m trying to keep you alive. We’re all trying to keep you alive. That’s what the clan’s been doing your whole damned life, trying to keep you alive! And just like always, you’re making it hard as hell. Your father wasn’t a bloody spy, and that thing in your living room wasn’t a man. Damn!”

Chapter 4

Shay sagged against the floor. “What do you mean, my father wasn’t a spy? And that man… if he wasn’t a man, what was he?”

Cody cursed. He sat up, letting go of her wrists, still astride her. “He was a demon.”

“A demon?” A cackle escaped her lips. “Is this a joke? Another lie?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

He looked angry. “Like a hell-and-brimstone demon?”

“Aye, but they spend a lot of time here.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Why do you think we had to keep your identity hidden?”

“Because my father was with the CIA or some top-secret organization, and I was in danger. That’s what you said.”

“No. That’s what you
thought
I said. I just didn’t tell you any different, but you got the top-secret organization part right. Your father was a warrior.”

“What kind of warrior?”

“The kind that fights demons. The kind of warrior who keeps humans alive.” Cody blew out a breath and stood. He ran his hands through his hair. “Why do I let you do this to me? This is going to blow up in my face, just like last time.”

Shay stood and faced him. “This is insane. You’ve already lied to me once. How do I know—”

“I didn’t lie. I just withheld information that wasn’t my place to give. After you walked away, I couldn’t tell you the whole story. The clan wouldn’t allow it.”

“Who is this… clan that’s making decisions for me?”

“Your mother and father’s clan. Your clan. When you were a baby, someone killed your mother and left you for dead. That’s how you got the scar on your shoulder.”

“Nina said the scar was from a bicycle wreck.”

“She had to tell you something. It was a car wreck, but it wasn’t an accident. You were meant to die, but an old man pulled you from the burning vehicle.”

Speechless, Shay shook her head. “They didn’t catch the killer?”

“No. He was probably a demon.”

“I’m sorry… this is just insane. Assuming you’re correct—”

“I am.”

“Assuming you are, then why did this demon want me dead?”

“The clan didn’t know if you were the target or if it was revenge, but you were marked, so they had to hide you. That’s why the house is monitored. That’s why we’re here. To keep you safe.”

“I’m marked?”

“Your scar is probably a demon’s mark.”

Shay touched the pale, jagged line beside her collarbone. “Does Nina know about this?”

“She does. Matilda doesn’t.”

“Why would a demon target a baby?”

She’d known Cody long enough to recognize the fear that slipped past his eyes before he put on his blank face. “Probably revenge.”

“My mother died?”

“Aye, and your father died not long after. The clan hid you, buried the empty casket, and gave you a new name, a new family. They had to make it look like you’d really died.”

The empty grave had been to hide her from a demon, not a mobster or a terrorist?

“Is Nina really my aunt?”

Cody lowered his gaze. “No. She’s mine. My mother’s half sister. My father was friends with Nina’s husband, who died just before my father was sent from Scotland to watch over you. Nina was grieving. She needed someone. You needed someone. So they gave her you.”

“Ewan was a warrior?”

Cody nodded. “The whole family came here, with the understanding that when my brothers and I grew up, it would be our mission too.”

She’d known Ewan was involved, which was part of the reason she left. She didn’t want to be anyone’s job. She hadn’t known Cody, her best friend, the boy she’d trusted with her heart and soul, had protected her because it was his
job
?

“The clan planned to tell you the truth after you graduated from high school, but you left before they met to see who would break the news. It probably would’ve been my father.”

“And they let me walk away, with a demon after me?”

“The demon your father had been hunting when all this happened had disappeared. Just before you left, the Watchers found out he was dead, so they thought you were safe.”

“Watchers? Demons? This sounds like something out of a movie,” Shay said, rubbing her throbbing temples. “They should have told me.”

“They couldn’t. You wanted nothing to do with us, and there was too much at stake. Outsiders can’t know about the clan. They had no choice but to let you go. Besides, you’d just turned eighteen. Nina couldn’t force you to come back here.”

“Did the clan know why I left?” she asked, braving a quick look at his face.

He rubbed the tattoo on his neck. “Not all of it.”

“You and your brothers are warriors too?”

“I’m retired. We’re active from age eighteen to twenty-eight. Marcas chose to stay active. Lachlan has another year and a half.”

What about the hayloft? Where did that fit into his mission? “You were never in Special Forces?”

“No.”

“And Marcas and Lachlan’s expeditions are a cover?”

He nodded.

“How long have you known about… me?”

His mouth twitched with indecision. “Since I was seventeen.”

Two years before
it
happened. “And you didn’t tell me? We never kept secrets from each other.”

Cody looked away, and when his eyes met hers again, they were sad. “I was afraid if I told you, you’d start looking into your past and on the off chance that this demon wasn’t dead, he would find you. I didn’t want you hurt. I wish I’d done a better job explaining it then; maybe things would have turned out different.” He hesitantly reached for her arm. “I don’t want to fight, Shay. Come on. I’ll help you clean up the mess.”

So much for leaving Virginia.

He followed her into the sitting room. She was still furious that he handcuffed her to the bed, but her anger was overshadowed by shock. Nothing about her world was what she thought. Her stalker had followed her here. Someone had broken into Nina’s house. Cody had a girlfriend. She didn’t have the surplus of emotion to ask him about her.

“So these demons, what do they want?”

Cody righted the bookshelf “They want to get rid of humans. They want the earth for themselves.”

“My God. I’m living in
Lord
of
the
Rings
.” People usually told lies to make something seem believable. This was too bizarre to be a lie.

“This makes
Lord
of
the
Rings
look like a lullaby.”

She picked up a photo album and put it on the bookshelf. “You’d think even a demon would have the decency to leave a person’s family photos alone.”

“Demons don’t care about anything but evil.”

She picked up a book and saw something white lying beside it.

“What’s that?” Cody asked.

“Looks like a piece of ivory,” she said, laying it on the shelf.

The cat appeared in the doorway, still as a statue, other than its swishing tail.

Cody frowned. “You brought a cat?”

“It’s not mine. It showed up this morning. I thought it might have been yours.”

“No. Maybe the Peterson’s.”

Shay gave a sarcastic laugh. “Maybe it belongs to the demon. It came inside the house and ran toward him. I tripped over it.”

Cody handed Shay a stack of books. “Not likely. Demons hate animals. That’s why they rarely take on an animal form.”

“Demons can take other forms?”

“Aye. Their natural forms aren’t a pretty sight. They stink, and they’re ugly. The problem is they can shift into disguises. They might be your neighbor, the little old lady down the street. The older they get, the more powerful they become. The ancient ones are particularly deadly.”

Shay put the last book on the shelf. “Ancient ones?”

“They can live around a thousand years.”

“Good grief! What are they doing all that time?”

Cody shrugged. “Trying to come up with ways to destroy us.”

“Do they all live that long?”

“No. There are three orders. The first is eternal. Humans don’t see them. The second, they’re the ones who cause the most trouble, full demons. The third, the halflings, they live a couple hundred years.”

“Halflings? Like in half human?”

Cody nodded.

“Can only warriors kill demons?”

“For the most part,” he said. “And even then, the powerful ones have to be assigned to match the warrior’s strength or the warrior could die. A demon can kill a human in a heartbeat.”

“Good thing I didn’t have gun or a knife.”

“You scare me sometimes,” Cody said.

After the room was straight, the two started back to his house. The cat trailed along behind them. “You sure this cat’s just a cat?” Shay asked. “He has white fur, and that intruder was blond.”

Cody turned to look at it. “It showed up long before the demon did. Probably belongs to the Petersons.” Shay heard yelling even before Cody opened his front door. “Damn! I forgot to tell him,” he said, rushing in.

Faelan had a man pinned to the kitchen wall, while Lachlan, Marcas, and a beautiful woman Shay assumed was Cody’s girlfriend tried to drag Faelan away. Cody grabbed Faelan’s arm, and the group finally restrained him.

“I swear, if you weren’t my ancestor,” the new guy said, giving Faelan a hard shove, “I’d lock you in a time vault myself.”

“How could you drag her off on one of your adventures?” Faelan shouted, looking as fierce as an ancient Highland warrior with his kilt and angry face. “You were supposed to make sure she got safely from Scotland to New York.”

“
My
adventures? Have you lost your bloody mind? I came to protect her. Damned woman tried to sneak off and come to Virginia alone. You’re lucky I figured out what she was up to.”

The woman scowled. “Hey.”

“Are ye trying to drive me to madness?” Faelan said to the woman, his face hot with anger. “If you don’t start listening to me—”

The woman grabbed a loaf of bread off the counter and swung it at his head. Faelan ducked, and the loaf caught Cody on the ear. The woman planted her hands on her hips, glaring at Faelan. “You jackass! Sorry, Cody.” She glared at Faelan. “This isn’t the nineteenth century. You think I’m supposed to sit home bored, while you’re out having all the adventures? I don’t think so.”

“Told you,” the new guy said.

So she was with Faelan. Every muscle in Shay’s body sagged with relief. But why had the woman slept in Cody’s bed?

“I forgot to tell you they were here,” Cody said, flicking a slice of bread off his shoulder. “Shay and I had just gotten back from Leesburg.”

“What am I supposed to think?” Faelan asked the woman. “You’re supposed to be safe in New York, and I walk in and find you here. With
him.
” He pointed at Ronan. “I haven’t slept, and I need food.”

The woman rolled her eyes. “God help us.”

“There’s some food left over,” Lachlan said. “It’s probably cold.”

The woman turned and saw Shay near the door. Her eyes widened. She blinked several times and smiled. “I’m Bree Connor, this Neanderthal’s wife.” She nodded toward Faelan, who was lifting pot lids, still scowling. “You must be Shay. Sorry to stare, but you look just like you did in my vision.” The others in the room stopped talking and were watching her. “I get these… premonitions sometimes.”

Cody touched Shay’s back. “Bree had a vision that you were in danger. That’s why Faelan came to keep an eye on you.”

Now she had perfect strangers trying to protect her. “But you don’t even know me,” Shay said.

“I know. My premonitions aren’t normal. Usually they’re about family or friends, but lately I’ve been having them about strangers.”

The good-looking man chuckled and ruffled Bree’s hair. He seemed unfazed by Faelan’s attack. “Darlin’, there’s nothing normal about you.”

“This is Ronan,” Cody said. He surprised Shay by placing his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his side. Marcas watched the gesture, and Shay thought she saw a glimmer of a smile.

“Sorry about the scuffle.” Ronan grinned, and Shay’s heart skipped two beats. She could almost understand Faelan’s frustration. What man would want his wife going anywhere with someone who looked like that?

Ronan bumped Faelan with his shoulder and stepped up to shake Shay’s hand. “Glad you’re okay. We were worried.”

“Are you all part of this clan?” Shay asked.

“You told her?” Lachlan said. “Are you crazy? The Council’s gonna hang you this time.”

“I’ll deal with the Council,” Cody said, but his jaw tightened as he said it.