As she ran with Kade, a part of her accepted the truth of that.
They slowed on a rise of land, and Kade stopped. As Jessie stared out across the sunlit forest, Kade touched her again with his nose. He inhaled and then breathed out. His warmth blew across her cheek.
Jessie met his glowing gold cat eyes, and her heart did an odd little flip. Sabre. Warrior. Arrogant as hell, but brave as they came. Difficult, yes.
But honest. And never, ever cruel.
She could do far worse.
Wait. What?
The world fractured and spun away. Jessie’s eyes blinked open to stare at the ceiling. Her heart continued to race, as though she still ran shoulder to shoulder with a werewolf.
Not wolf. Cat.
She glanced over toward the wall, but Laura’s cot was empty.
Jessie rose and went to talk to the Watcher.
28
As Jessie left the bedroom, she noted the door to Zach’s was closed. And a quick peek into the living room at the bottom of the stairs showed it to be empty.
Kitani was in the kitchen, whipping up what looked like pancakes with Cody and Ryan. The three of them revolved around each other like one entity with six arms, in contact with each other as much as they were separate. They barely spoke, but smiled and touched often. The affection between them was almost uncomfortable to observe.
Was that what it meant to be mated? Jessie’s heart raced.
But where was Kade?
Cara waited for her in the dining room. Her blue gaze watched Jessie steadily as she entered. Then she took the chair across from Cara before saying, “Braden got through your protections.”
The older woman nodded. “Yes. I do not have enough resources here. We may have to keep you awake until you transform.”
“He called you the Watcher.”
“That is what I am most known as. Comes from watching over the gateways.”
“Braden claimed his virus had been in me too long,” Jessie said. “That there was nothing Kade or you can do. Is that true?”
Cara sighed and crossed her fingers. “Kade mentioned he still wasn’t substantial enough to fight him.” It was a statement, not a question.
Jessie glanced into the kitchen. No Kade in there, either. Where was everyone?
“I sent the others outside,” Cara explained.
“Even Laura?”
“Trevor took her for a walk.”
Wow.Laura was making progress if she’d go anywhere with a Were. “Kade tried to help. But he was like a ghost in the dream, not really there.” Jessie shivered, remembering. The howls, the teeth. The impression of many, intent on her. “Did he go after Laura, too?”
Cara shook her head. “Braden was mostly focused on you, this time.”
“Well, Zach blasted him right out of the dream. Just gone.” Jessie stared at Cara. “Where is Zach?”
“He was here. Went to his room,” Cara said.
“Is he okay? He’s been a little odd, lately.”
