Kade crouched nearby. He’d shifted partway to beast, patches of hair sprouted along his bare, bloodied arms and long fangs hung from his lengthened jaw.
The big Were straightened and examined a torn seam in his tee shirt.
He glared at Cara. “Okay, old woman. You’ve made your point.” He transferred his glower to Zach. “Empaths can be bad guys too.”
* * *
Damn and hell.Andeffing hell. A few otherhells, as well. Jessie’s legs shook so hard it was a relief to sit.
Hooked into Zach, she’d lived the accident with him. It was terrifying enough, but the emotion radiating from him had penetrated her to the core. Yet, judging from the reaction of those in the room, she hadn’t gotten the full effect of it. To see the big, bad Weres cowering was an event she wouldn’t soon forget.
She’d experienced the power of the emotions when she’d linked with Zach before, but hadn’t been sure they could be focused as weapons. Now, the only one in the room who remained skeptical was Zach himself.
“Not sure I can turn it on like that every time,” he said as everyone resumed their seats.
Jessie noted that the Weres had all moved their chairs a bit away from him. She sensed their wariness, and embarrassment. Her perception of the emotions was already starting to fade because she hadn’t been touching Zach long enough for it to hold.
“You will be able to turn it on and off with training,” Cara assured Zach. “And you don’t have to use your own emotions either. You can tap into another’s, and use theirs, instead.”
Wow.Jessie thought about that. “That would give him nearly endless ammunition. But wouldn’t that be hard on him?” She remembered the nosebleed.
“He needs training, or it would be dangerous for everyone involved,” Cara insisted. “And I can’t train him here. The negative emotions he needs to tap into will not be tolerated by my Cryptid population. They will leave, and my location will be exposed.”
“We don’t have time to mess around,” Kade growled. “We can’t bring Laura here either.” His eyes drifted to Jessie. “So we need another location.”
“Until I get Zach primed, we’ll be vulnerable,” Cara noted.
Kade grimaced. “Braden’s got other worries at the moment. He’s had to bolt from his hole. And it will take him a bit of time to track us.” The Were tilted his head. “Should hold him off for the next twenty-four hours minimum, I’d say. You have a location in mind?”
“I don’t want to lure trouble to another realm. And I don’t think there is an advantage being so far from our resources, anyway. I’m thinking Zach’s place,” Cara conceded.
Zach straightened. “My place? Won’t that lure the Dires there?”
“Oh, yes,” Kade growled. “Country location is good, though. Means we can patrol as Weres.”
“They can come at us as Weres, too.” Neil gestured to Jessie. “Away from Cara’s protections, her attraction to Braden will increase exponentially. Laura’s too. They will want to go to him. And he will come for them.”
“Zach and Jessie can hold them off. Buy us the time we need,” Cara said.
Jessie met the older woman’s gaze and read a world of understanding in her blue eyes.
“If my research is right”—the older woman folded her fingers together—”the blood will work.”
Zach’s voice was low and intense. “Do we have a Plan C if it doesn’t?”
“We’ll cross that bridge if we have to.” Cara straightened and focused her gaze on him. “Now. How many people can sleep at your place?”
Zach rubbed his temple. “Don’t suppose anyone would prefer the barn?”
* * *
The Weres departed in a silent, tense group. Kade hung back, as though reconsidering the plan.
As Cara tucked leftovers into the fridge, Jessie watched the big Sabre. Finally, he shot a look to Zach who remained with crossed arms, leaning on the counter.
“You ready to go?” he asked.
“You’re the guy with the car keys,” Zach pointed out.
