Therian Prize(76)
“Nehema and Zophiel were sisters?” Heather shook her head. Her father didn’t know half as much as these cats. No wonder they stayed several steps ahead of him. “That’s why Nehema blamed demons for Therian abilities. She wasn’t a religious fanatic. She had a demon for a sister.”
“She was also a religious fanatic,” Devon stressed. “And I think they’re both insane.”
“And I don’t disagree with anything Dev just said,” Ian interjected. “But Zophiel’s hatred of Therians is older and deeper than Nehema’s death.”
“The question still remains. How do we find and kill Zophiel?” Jake sounded impatient.
“I’ll dig deeper into mom’s journals,” Devon suggested.
“I’ll talk to Payne, see if he knows anything that can help us,” Ian added.
“What about Serra?” Heather waited until the others looked at her before she went on. “If she really did escape from a backer compound and Zophiel is working with or for the backers…”
“Then the backers could lead us to Zophiel,” Jake finished for her. “It’s worth a try.”
“If half of what Carly Ides told us was true, all of the compounds need to be shut down,” Devon stressed.
Heather looked at Devon, confused by her obvious passion. “I thought the captives were rescued when you raided the mountain lab.”
“The ones in the mountain lab were rescued, but according to Carly there are ‘test subjects’ at all the labs.” Ian pushed back his chair and stood, apparently finished with dinner.
“How many labs are there?”
“We don’t know,” Devon admitted. “If you go with Jake and assure Serra that you’re not a danger to her, she might be more inclined to confide in Jake.”
“Or I could take the formula and let Jake trigger my first animal nature. If I was defined with his blood, it’s likely I could speak with Serra directly.”
No one could have missed the pleased approval in Jake’s eyes as he said, “That’s always an option.”
Chapter Eleven
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
Heather looked at Jake and smiled. They were in the same treatment room as the first time they’d visited the clinic. She knew Jake wanted her to take the formula, thought it was the wisest course. Despite his personal opinion, he insisted she take her time and become absolutely certain of her choice.
“This is what I want.”
All of her tests had come back within normal parameters so she’d asked Dr. Garran to administer the formula.
Jake moved to the end of the table on which she sat and pushed in the footrest. Then he eased her legs apart and stepped between them. “I know I was distant last night because of Natasha but I want something clear before we do this.”
She’d meant to ask him about the mate comment and discuss where their relationship was headed. But as soon as she’d seen the pain in his eyes she put the conversation on hold. He’d needed comfort and understanding, not an interrogation. So they’d made slow, sweet love, communicating with their bodies. And then they’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms.
“So talk,” she urged with a playful smile. “I’m listening.”
“We were drawn together before you ran from your father. Many of our choices have been shaped by his actions, but what I feel for you is separate from that conflict.”
She wrapped her legs around his thighs and pulled him closer. “What do you feel for me?”
“It’s more what I feel when I’m with you. Our physical compatibility is undeniable but I want more than sex from you.”
“How much more?” Already joy and excitement welled within her but she couldn’t resist teasing him.
All playfulness evaporated and he looked deep into her eyes. “I want forever.”
She was about to confess that she wanted forever too, wanted it more than anything. But Dr. Garran returned, entering the room after a perfunctory knock. “Last chance to back out. This is forever.”
Heather laughed and the doctor looked at her askance. “Sorry.” She held up her hand and fought back her amusement. “Your phrasing coordinated a little too well with what we were saying.”
“Do you still have doubts?” Garran asked.
She looked at Jake and shook her head. “Not at all. This is exactly what I want and forever doesn’t scare me anymore.”
Jake pushed affection across their link, assuring her he understood her true meaning, then moved out of the way.
Dr. Garran administered the injection and then said, “I’d like you to stick around for at least an hour just to make sure there’s no adverse reaction. You can sit in the waiting room if you’re more comfortable or you’re welcome to stay here.”