Kade eyed her. “Why don’t you get yours dyed, then?”
“It would cost hundreds,” she complained.
Looking at the incredible mane hanging down the woman’s back, Jessie had to agree. “But when you shift to human, you drop all your fur. Your head hair just stays the same?”
“Yeah. If it starts messy, it ends messy.” Kitani pointed to Kade’s hair.
Kade rolled his eyes but didn’t respond.
“I have to reshave mine all the time,” Neil complained. “It always comes through the shift an inch longer.
“Hey, I think this belongs here.” Kitani leaned over to press another piece into place.
The conversation wound down as the night moved toward morning. Jessie yawned. “I’m not much of a night owl.” She apologized when Cara smiled at her.
“If you two want to sleep, I can watch over you. It’s almost morning,” she said.
“When haveyouslept?” Jessie asked. There were new lines around Cara’s eyes.
“She doesn’t,” Kade rumbled. “But she should. Away from her home, she can’t replenish her energy as easily.”
“I’m all right,” Cara was quick to reassure. “I don’t get most of my energy from sleep. I absorb it from all living things, so I just have to be careful to do it in balance.” She smiled. “For me, a nature walk really does restore the soul.”
Kade snorted at her. “I could use some rest, too. Maybe I can help keep Braden at bay.”
“You were there last time.” Jessie offered. “You should be stronger.”
“Kade really was in your dream?” Laura asked.
“Yeah. The blood put him there,” Jessie said.
Laura frowned and looked from her to Kade. “Was he able to keep Braden away?”
Jessie nodded, but Kade shook his head. “I wasn’t strong enough to do much. Zach drove him off.”
“I was able to shield you guys yesterday afternoon.” Cara crossed her arms. “I’ll recruit a bit of help this morning. Why don’t you two go get ready for bed?” She glanced at Kade. “Willow can’t get up the stairs. But I should be able to set up here and extend upstairs.”
“I’ll be in the living room. On the couch.” Kade rose and gave Jessie a lopsided smile. “Just shout if you need me.”
“Don’t worry,” Jessie said. “If he shows his ugly mug, I’ll be screaming.”
Neil stood with Laura. The Were shifted from one foot to the other. “I hate that this has happened to you guys.” His gaze rested on Laura.
“Yeah.” Laura looked away. “It sucks.” She pushed in her chair and leaned on it.
“The blood offer still stands, Laura,” Cara said.
“Will it disrupt the connection I have with Braden?” Laura asked.
Cara hesitated. “We don’t know, yet. It is our best plan for now. And the fact Kade can inject himself into the dreams is promising.”
“I’ll think about it.” Laura avoided Cara’s eyes.
Kade and Neil exchanged a look as Laura left the room. Neil hurried after her.
Jessie swallowed. She was pretty sure that the other woman wasn’t going to go for it. Which begged the question—did she have another plan? Because if she didn’t try the blood, there was only one option for her.
Braden.
