Night Angel (Angel Haven) (8 page)

What would happen
, she thought,
if I kissed him, right here, right now? I know what the guardian said, but no man has the right to look this tempting.
Somebody, anybody, give me strength.

Before her thoughts ran away with her, she asked, “What will we do when this is over?”

“Whatever’s necessary.” He looked out the door. “You’d better get back. He’ll be looking for you.”

Karen nodded, not trusting her weak voice any longer. Before she could stop herself, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. She closed her eyes, savoring the feel of him in her arms. “Please be safe.”

He pressed his cheek to the top of her head, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist. “They haven’t stopped me yet. Now, go.”

Karen could feel her body tremble and awaken at his touch. The world felt alive when she was with him and she knew in that instant that he held her, she wanted him with as intensity that was building the longer he held her. She didn’t want to let him go and sensed he felt the same. She forced herself to step back. “Will I see you soon?”

“Of course. We’re on the same property.” He grinned at her. “I’ll try to talk to you again.”

He laid his hand on her cheek and moved a little closer to her. “You make me want to break all the rules I’m bound to,” he whispered. “I can’t wait for this to be over.”

“Me, too,” she said. She leaned into his caress, wishing he could do more as her body began aching for him in rather intimate places. She finally pulled away and held on to the wall for a minute to make her knees stop quivering. She stumbled out the door, turning to get another look at him.

A blackbird sitting on the roof of the shed grabbed her attention. Its call seemed to laugh at her, mocking her. It stared directly at her for a few more seconds before taking flight. She watched it go, then ran back to where Bradford had left her, taking great gulps of air to try to steady herself as the french doors opened.

Bradford came out, smiling. “That was tedious. I hate to tell you this, but I have to go to New York City tomorrow and deal with a company crisis. Do you want to come with me?”

“I think I’ll stay here. It’ll give me and Edna a chance to have a girls’ day.” Karen leaned into him. “And I’d like to explore the woods. Would you mind?”

“Not a bit.” They headed back toward the gardens. “The woods have identifiable trails. The teachers from the town bring the children here for nature walks. As long as you stay on the marked paths, you should be fine.” He paused. “Will the two of you be all right?”

“Sure,” she said. “We’ve got a whole house full of servants to help us. We’ll be fine.”
And I’ve got a guardian and a sexy, southern man. I’ll be A-okay.

****

“What has happened today to make you smile so?” the guardian asked when he arrived. He came closer to the balcony, part of his body visible through the foliage.

She could feel the familiar burning on her cheeks as she remembered her day. “I got to see some horses,” she stammered.

“Is that all?” His tone indicated he knew more of her day.

“I talked to Randall today.” She stopped and chewed her lip. How much more should she say?

“You can tell me anything, remember?” He reached out from the shadows to take her hand. “Randall has already told me a bit of what happened in the wood shed.”

Her grip on his hand tightened. “He makes me feel—I don’t know, it’s indescribable.” She frowned, searching for the right words. “It’s like I’m hot and cold and then nervous, then not and then,
kablooey
, I explode.”

The guardian actually laughed, his voice sounding like rocks falling down a cliff. “I know exactly what you mean. You’ve just described the feelings of true love.”

“That wasn’t a very good description. But he makes me feel so...” she paused, “emotional.” She stared at his hand, trying to make sense of everything she said and felt. Not going to happen, she thought. “I don’t like losing control of my emotions.”

“It’s okay to give in to a little lost control occasionally. Would it make you feel better to know you do the same to him?” He still sounded amused.

“Really?” Karen thought about that for a minute. It was comforting to know he felt the same things she did. “Then you and I were right when we talked last and Randall and I are supposed to be together.”

“I would say that’s a reasonable assumption,” he agreed, giving her hand a squeeze.

“I feel like we’re being watched, though, and not just by human eyes. This is getting way out of control.” She thought about the bird on the shed. It really had felt like it was watching her. “Tomorrow, Bradford’s going to the city on business. I’m hoping I can talk to Randall again without his goons busting in.”

He squeezed her hand. “Troyington’s eyes are everywhere. Randall is rarely left alone. I’ve already told you what will happen if Troyington finds out.”

“I know. But I can’t turn my back on you guys when you’re trying to save children.” She sighed. “I don’t remember fairy tales being this complicated.”

“You don’t know the ones I know.”

Karen looked at the hand holding hers. “Does Randall know you’re putting the moves on me?”

He laughed again. “Yes. We have no secrets. He says I don’t have a chance. I knew this.” His voice turned serious. “You’ve already lost your heart. No man but your soul mate has a chance to win you.”

Karen laid her forehead on his hand, thankful for the rocky coolness of his skin. “I’m glad you know what’s going on. Today when he smiled at me, I was tempted to throw him down right there. I could feel how much he wanted to kiss me, and I know I wanted to kiss him.” She raised her head. “But I remembered what you said about love’s first kiss. I don’t want to jump the gun or anything, but something needs to happen soon before I go crazy.”

He tightened his grip on her hand. “Be strong a little longer. I may have a lead on where the children are. They’re being moved to somewhere on the estate. If he’s bringing them closer, he and his scientist, Dr. Strathmore, have had a breakthrough.”

Karen sat up straighter. “I’ll walk around the estate tomorrow and see if I can find anything.”

“Please be careful.”

She grinned. “Always. Besides, these guys around here couldn’t catch me even if they tried.” She stood, pulling her hand from him. “I’d better get some rest.” She paused at the door to her room. She looked at the tree where he hid himself. “When do I get to see the rest of you?”

“When the time is right and not before.”

She sighed and shook her head. “I forgot that annoying quality of fairy tales. You get a lot of cryptic answers. Good night, Guardian.”

“Good night, Karen.”

She stopped before going in and watched as a huge silhouette sprung from the top of the tree, the wings stretching out to blend with the darkness.

Chapter Seven

Karen wandered the grounds after an early breakfast, the sun barely topping the trees around the estate. Bradford had left before she got downstairs, and Edna was nowhere to be found. He’d been insistent she stay on the trails in the woods. She smiled. The more interesting things were usually found off the beaten path.

I hope Cray and Harmon are busy elsewhere today.

Leaves and twigs crunched under her feet as the trees closed in around her. Sunlight poked holes through the colorful canopy over her head, and birds chirped to each other. She heard crackling and saw a squirrel sitting on a branch eating something it held in its tiny paws. She sighed and wished her thoughts were as peaceful as the area around her. She slowed her steps as voices drifted her way.

Her heart pounded against her ribs as Randall’s voice reached her. “What else did the water nixies say?”

A light female voice, reminding Karen of wind through trees, answered, “They caught a glimpse of them further downstream. They couldn’t follow them any further because they went more inland.”

He snorted. “I’m surprised they followed them as far as they did. What about the brownies? Have they seen anything?”

“They found a small cabin up in the hills. They say work has been done on it.” Karen crept up behind a large tree and leaned around to watch them. Randall looked so serious and a small woman paced in front of him.

He rubbed his chin. “It’s got to be where they’re moving the kids to. Ask the wood folk to keep watch on it.”

The woman with Randall couldn’t have been more than three feet tall. Her skin was light tan, her spring green hair resembled leaves falling down her back, and her arms were thin. Karen couldn’t see the rest of her because she was dressed like the goth teenagers at the mall. She wore large pants that covered her feet and a tight black T-shirt with a pink skull emblazoned across the front. Black studded bands encircled both wrists, matching the choker around her neck.

The change in Randall was amazing. His voice had lost that hard edge she’d heard when he spoke about Bradford or his men. His body was more relaxed and a heck of a lot more desirable. Karen wished he could be like this all the time, but knew until his mission was complete, there was no hope of that happening. She watched him a few more minutes then stepped out from her hiding place. “Randall?”

The small woman’s head swung around. She gestured to the trees near Karen, speaking a word in a strange language. Vines snapped to life as leaves flung themselves at Karen’s face, their brittle stems stinging her skin. She dodged the first few vines, but more shot her way, ensnaring her wrists and ankles. She pulled against them, but the more she fought, the tighter they became.

“Hey, cut it out!” she shouted.

“It’s all right, Raesheen,” Randall said. “Cut her loose.”

The woman glared at Karen. “Are you sure? She could be one of Troyington’s spies.”

Randall smiled, placing his hand on her shoulder. “She isn’t. Trust me.” He headed for Karen.

The woman scrutinized him, then shrugged. “Suit yourself.” At her command, the vines released Karen, letting her fall to the ground in an undignified heap.

She rubbed her backside as Randall pulled her to her feet. “What just happened?”

“My friend. Come on, I’ll introduce you.” He walked her back to where the woman waited. “Raesheen, this is Karen. Karen, this is Raesheen. She’s a dryad.”

“That explains the plant attack,” Karen said with a smile. “It’s very nice to meet you.” She stuck out her hand.

Raesheen eyed her warily, then grabbed Karen’s hand in a strong grip. “She’s the one we sensed?”

He nodded. “Yes, and be nice. She’s believed in us all her life.”

She narrowed her eyes, staring intently at Karen. “I can’t feel any evil in her, nor can I pick up any hidden agendas. I believe she’s here to help us.” The dryad stood back. “I approve.”

Randall smiled at his friend. “Glad to hear it.”

The dryad walked around her and studied her more intently. “The Oracle certainly knows what she’s talking about. The dragon spirit is the very essence of her strength.”

“I know,” he agreed. “It pulls you in with its power. I didn’t think humans had that kind of ability in them.”

“Would you two quit talking about me like I’m not even here?” Karen interrupted.

“Sorry,” Randall said. “We may have more information on the children.”

“That’s great,” Karen said, thinking how normal it felt to be standing in the middle of the woods with a dryad and a breathtakingly handsome man, talking about kidnapped werewolf children. “Where do you think they might be headed?”

“A small cabin in the hills,” Randall said. “The wood folk say Troyington rents it to hunters.”

Raesheen lifted her head, listening to the wind. “I have to go. I’m being called by the Court. I’ll be in touch.” She laid her hand on Randall’s arm. “Be careful, my friend.” Staring at Karen, she said, “Be well. Keep yourself safe.” Walking to a tree, she disappeared inside it.

Karen stared after her for a moment. “She doesn’t look like any dryad I’ve seen in books. I didn’t think dryads were into the goth look. And was she wearing combat boots?”

He nodded. Taking her arm, he led her back to the path. “She decided to modernize herself when her mother, the queen, retired and moved to Tahiti. The rest of her subjects followed her lead. Most fairies these days don’t dress in traditional clothes any more. Raesheen developed a taste for the goth style. A lot of the wood folk wear jeans and work clothes. Most of them carry cell phones, and you don’t know gaming addiction until you see a gnome with a video game.” Randall grinned at her. “We’re people, just like humans.”

There went those wobbly knees again. She cleared her throat. “People that humans think don’t exist,” she said. “She’s queen of the fairies? How long have you known her?”

He drifted closer to Karen as they walked. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. And she doesn’t rule everything, just our piece of it down south. Her mother was queen of the southern realm. Raesheen and I grew up together in Louisiana, and when I was called north, she came with me.”

Karen’s brows drew down as she tried to make sense of what he’d said. “This doesn’t sound like any of the tales I read when I was little. According to the stories, fairies didn’t always get along.”

He shrugged. “Fairy courts are usually very territorial, but everyone is up in arms about the werewolf children. We both have permission to be here from the clans that rule this part of the country.” He frowned. “There’d been several rescue attempts before I got here. Troyington thought at first they were just human, but Harmon found out from the animals who they really were. Troyington knew who I was the minute I arrived and knew I had powers of my own, so he kept me alive, but on a tight leash. I work around the estate, usually under Cray’s supervision. Sometimes, I’m lucky enough to slip away.”

Karen’s arm brushed his and she jumped. His touch constantly sent shockwaves through her body. Now, with all she’d learned about Bradford and Randall, things were getting more complicated all the time. “How could Bradford kill creatures of magic?”

He stared straight ahead. “We all have our weaknesses. Turns out, he found ours. Harmon compelled the animals to tell him. The people that work for him have abilities, like you. I figured it had to be someone with power to take on the northeast werewolf pack and get away with it.”