Therian Prisoner(56)

They reached a fork in the tunnel and Devon turned right, heading for the sanctuary rather than Erin’s house. Was she still angry with her mother too? “How’d things go with your mother?”

Sleeping with Devon had been the last thing Ian intended when he took her to his cabin. He didn’t regret the intimacies they’d shared, but the surrounding conflict made him uncomfortable. The Lashtons were the closest thing to a family that he’d had in a very long time and he didn’t want anything to ruin the closeness they shared. His commitment to the Historians made it imperative that he carefully balance his priorities.

“Mom was frighteningly civil. I expected her to rant and rave for weeks before she accepted us.”

He could easily picture Erin “ranting and raving”. Devon’s fiery spirit came directly from her mother. “I suspect she’s saving the bulk of her bluster for me.”

“Undoubtedly.” A smile flirted with Devon’s lips before she added, “She’s not there yet, but she’s a whole lot further along than I’d expected after only one conversation.”

“We should probably talk about this ‘us’ thing.” She shot him a sidelong glance filled with conflict and…hunger? Perhaps he wasn’t the only one aching for more of what they’d shared on the mountaintop. “I’m way too old for a girlfriend and—”

She shook her head and hurried her steps. “Don’t jinx this with a label. Our link allows us to feel what this is and we’re the only ones that matter.”

Not wanting to argue, he let the subject slide. She was right. They had access to each other’s emotions. Unfortunately, despite that link, she was still incredibly guarded and unsure. Her reticence was understandable, but the predator in him wanted to hold her down and overwhelm her senses until she understood their rich potential. He wanted her so drunk on pleasure that she could think of nothing but him. Of course, the world was too evolved for such attitudes. Even within the Therian community men were expected to be civilized.

He cleared his throat and forced his mind away from all the uncivilized things he wanted to do to her. “I can’t say I’m disappointed by Erin’s reaction. The last thing any of us need right now is more conflict.”

She shook her head and sighed. “Meaning I need to give Kyle a break?”

“I didn’t say that. This is between you and Kyle. However, the longer it drags on the harder it will be to resolve.” Ian waved at the guard as they passed the security station. A nested metal staircase led from the tunnels to the center of the sanctuary and Ian followed Devon up. “Trust me. I know what I’m talking about.”

“The conflict is inconvenient, so he gets a bye for treating me like a piece of property?”

They faced off in the center of the compound. The unique circular room was framed by wedge-shaped cages, allowing numerous animals to be accessed from a central location. “I’m not here to defend his actions. He’s the only one who can explain why he did what he did.”

“You brought it up.” She crossed her arms over her chest, clearly annoyed by the subject.

“Actually, I brought up conflict in general. You focused on Kyle.”

He thought she’d continue the argument. Instead, she heaved another sigh and unfolded her arms. “I told Kyle I’d talk to him tomorrow and I will. I don’t want this to drag on forever either.”

“Good.” He encouraged her attitude with a smile, but when he moved closer, she moved away.

“I need to take a look at the new tigress before you take me to the Garrans’ clinic.”

“Why am I taking you to see the Garrans?” No wonder she was still tense. Under the microscope had to be the last place on earth Devon wanted to be right now.

“Apparently Dhane is still trapped in wolf form. The energy and sex stabilized his condition, but he can’t release the shift.”

“They think whatever they injected you with is to blame?”

“It makes sense.” She walked along the curved bank of cages, pausing at each one to look over the animal’s chart. “Besides, I’m the only other person we have access to who was exposed to whatever they’re tinkering with.”

All he could do was nod. Every protective instinct he possessed urged him to fly her away from danger and possible harm. She’d been through so much already and her recovery was still too fragile. He didn’t want the Garrans to undo what he’d managed to accomplish. With a little help from Dorothy, he amended.

Devon faced one of the tiger cages as she flipped through various forms secured within the metal chart. “We basically have no information on her. How bizarre.”