Electric Storm(12)

Mockery darkened Trish’s eyes, animosity pouring off the sleek little panther, but Raven refrained from saying anything. No fighting. Rule one of the house. Though Trish couldn’t have known the outcome, Raven suspected the woman had set up last night’s debacle. She just couldn’t figure out why. As far as she knew, she’d never insulted the panther.

She was saved from actually asking the question when the boy and his protector entered.

“And who do we have here?” The honey purr of Trish’s voice froze the kid mid-step. Only his eyes moved as he located the source of the threat.

His heartbeat pounded at the base of his neck, his anxiety climbed. And in all that, he didn’t so much as twitch. Raven glanced between the boy and Trish, wondering if they knew each other, feeling oddly jealous and very protective of him.

“They’re off limits.”

An unbecoming flush filled Trish’s face, and she laughed nastily. “Of course they are. Your wish is our command.” With those bitter words, she disappeared out the door, but not without brushing close enough to the boy that their clothes touched. His nostrils flared at the ripe scent of Trish’s desire and the flood of cloying perfume she left in her wake.

Instead of pleasure, the boy shuddered, his shoulders hunched, almost curling into himself.

“Keep the cat away from him.” Jackson issued the order, violence dancing in his eyes. For some odd reason, she had the impression he held himself back from attacking Trish for Raven’s benefit.

Raven nodded carefully, promising herself to talk to Jackson later and find out if there was going to be a problem. She could ask the woman to leave, they were only to stay for the rest of the week, but those five days would be an insult. One Trish would make her pay for in small ways for a long time.

The door whooshed open. Dina bounded in, bright and chipper as always. Cherry blossoms filled the room. “Good morning, everyone. I heard that we have company.” The fox darted around the room, a ball of energy, her mouse brown hair tangled up in a sloppy knot at the back of her head, bobbing with her movements. She had an apron on and pans out in seconds. Within the minute, breakfast was under way.

Raven straightened and hurried toward the door.

“Don’t even think about going anywhere. You have to eat first.” Even though her back was turned, Dina was always aware of everyone in the room.

Raven grimaced, plunked down her coffee and sat at the table. “You might as well sit. She won’t let you leave without tasting everything.” Too bad Dina couldn’t cook and no one had the heart to tell her otherwise. Usually, everyone snuck in before she rose or after she cleaned the dishes to see if she’d left anything untouched.

When in residence, most stashed food around the house. Raven sometimes found it days after they’d departed.

The boy slipped into a seat across from her and relaxed a little. His eyes monitored her every move, which left her unnerved and more than a bit paranoid. “What are you doing?”

“Watching you.” The simple answer made her uncomfortable. Attention of any kind always had her hackles rising. She’d learned the hard way that observation meant danger.

She turned to Jackson. “What is he doing?”

The muscles of his shoulders bunched then loosened as he shrugged. “He’s assimilating himself into your house. He’s trying to gauge what you like and don’t like.”

“What?” Raven was taken aback and completely baffled.

Dina laughed, her face shinning with amusement. “What’s your name?”

“Taggert.” He answered Dina without removing his gaze from Raven.

“Raven here doesn’t understand people’s motives unless they deal with death, so you’re just going to confuse the hell out of her. My advice is to be yourself, and let her get used to you.”

Thank God the phone rang. “I’ll get it.” Raven bolted to her feet. She rushed to the other side of the room, feeling their attention following her every step like a scratch between her shoulder blades.

“Raven.”

“We have a new case.” Cool, reserved, Scotts gave nothing away. He was a member of the police force that used her as a resource on unusual crimes. He’s also one of the few people who knew about the labs, and how the scientists dissected vampires and shifters in order to create enhanced soldiers to protect the humans against the monsters.

Scotts kept a special eye on the paranormal community and listened to rumors on the street. More than once, he’d directed clients to her that didn’t fit inside the bounds of human law.

“Specifics?” Her heart thudded in her chest, and her appetite vanished. He only called her if it was something bad.