“I’ll never live it down.”
“Don’t worry. If you don’t say anything, I won’t.” Ross patted her awkwardly on the shoulder, and she jerked away.
Something in the way he said it, something in his touch sent a shaft of revulsion through her. She rubbed her arms, trying to wipe away the chill that engulfed her. She needed to get away, needed air. She stood hastily and swayed. “I have to go. I have a meeting tonight.”
“Sure. Sure. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.” He studied her with his brown, near black eyes. She knew that look. She’d seen it in the labs often enough. Beneath his smile, beneath his benign exterior, was a sharp mind that missed very little. Though she’d always respected Ross, something about him creeped her out. She assumed it was the dead bodies. She wasn’t so sure anymore.
Once the open air hit her face, her mind cleared a little. She was being paranoid. He was concerned. She would be too in his place. She wasn’t supposed to be there without prior approval. It could land them both into trouble.
As soon as she reached the sidewalk, she uncrossed her arms and winced, feeling like someone had tried to snap them off. She rolled up her sleeve.
Nothing.
She did the same for her other arm.
No bruises.
She healed fast, but she’d only been out for minutes. There’d be evidence if anything was done to her.
Being unconscious in the labs meant tests. With everything putting her on edge, it was no wonder she jumped at shadows. She tried to brush it off, but the image of him standing over her with a detached look stuck with her.
Chapter Twenty-two
SUNSET
Raven walked upstairs then paused when a noise from the kitchen raised the hairs on the back of her neck.
A whimper. Barely a breath of sound.
She slowly retraced her steps and pushed open the door, dreading what she’d find.
Trish had Taggert pushed up against the wall, her hands pinning him in place, her teeth at his throat. Terror swamped the room, drowning her senses. Without giving it thought, she crossed the room in a blink, gripped Trish by the back of her neck and tossed her away from Taggert. Glass shattered when she sailed out of the kitchen via the wall of windows. Rays of the dying sun spilled over the floor like fresh blood.
Aggression surged through her at the thought of Taggert being mauled by one of their own. When she would’ve followed, Taggert snagged her arm, wrapping himself around her. Red claw marks scorched his torso, shallow nips marred his neck. She carefully touched the wounds, wishing she could erase everything. She promised herself that she would later. “Are you all right?”
London and Dominic rushed in at the commotion, halting at the sight of them and the gap in the wall. Dina followed a second later.
“Get Trisha’s ass in here.” She growled the words, so infuriated she could barely hold back the tide of electricity eager to seek vengeance. At her aggression, Taggert hugged her harder, nearly squeezing the air from her with his strength.
London and Dominic moved in unison to do as told when a dripping wet, gloriously naked Jackson burst into the room. He took in the situation at a glance and snarled.
“Here.” She pushed Taggert at Jackson, quickly untangling her arms. She needed her hands free, and she needed him busy. If anyone got to rip apart Trish, it would be her.
Trish roared, and her animal form sailed through the hole in the glass. The black panther skidded on the smooth floor, but quickly gained her footing and charged. Acting on instinct, Raven reached into her core. The vat of boiling power sizzled as she drew the current down her arms to pool in her hands. She tossed it at the angry cat.
Energy exploded over the dark fur, stopping the panther short. The black hide rippled, and the animal whirled, nipping at her body, crazed with pain.
As if it understood the cause of the agony, the panther turned toward Raven and snarled, her fangs glistening with saliva.
“That was only a warning shot. Shift and accept the consequences of your actions.” Her words set off the animal. Muscles bunched, and the cat launched herself in the air. Raven caught a movement from Jackson at the corner of her eye.
“Guard Taggert.”
Right before impact, she located Trish’s center, the place where her animal dwelled, and pulled down with all her strength. Raven cracked into the wall under the weight of the body plowing into her. Air whooshed out of her in a rush.
People shouted as they slid to the floor in a heap. Her vision dimmed. Unable to catch her breath, she shoved the weight off her chest, and greedily gulped air. Strong hands pulled her to her feet. She swayed and found herself wrapped in Jackson’s arms.
“What the hell did you do?” The guttural growl came from Trish. She lay sprawled on the ground in her human form, naked and struggling to stand.