“Fixed you some eggs,” she said, pointing to the plate on the counter. Not only eggs, but bacon too.
“Thanks, Cara.” She peered at the older woman, whose face was heavily lined. How old was Cara? Jessie had a hard time pinning it down. “You look exhausted,” she said. “Why don’t you lie down? We need you strong too.”
It alarmed her when Cara merely nodded. But then she went to the back door.
“You’re not lying down?”
Cara smiled. “I am. I think I’ll choose an outdoor bed. It will help me recharge.”
“It’s dark,” Jessie protested.
“I’ll be fine.” Cara lifted a large pack beside the door before exiting.
Jessie carried her plate through to the dining room and sat herself down. She tried not to think of the hours ticking by to midnight as she contemplated her late evening entertainment—the puzzle.
Despite everyone dropping in to work on it, it was still only half done. It was a tough one. The edges were in place, and parts of the ship. But a huge segment of stormy sky and wind-tossed water were open. As was part of the Kraken.
Kitani came in so silently that Jessie startled when she spoke.
“I want to get that Kraken done,” the Were said. “Those tentacles are a bear.” She sat opposite Jessie and started gathering anything that looked like a squid.
Jessie finished the last mouthful of bacon, surprised she’d cleaned it up so fast. She’d been hungrier than she thought. She noted that Kitani was so huge that she sat sideways on her chair. “How are you feeling?”
“Uncomfortable as hell.” The Sabre smiled to take the sting out. “Restless too. Cara said the babies aren’t yet in position.”
Jessie’s brows rose. “How long does she think?”
The Were shrugged. “Another week, at least. Which is good, considering everything else that is going on.” But her face revealed her worry.
“You have all the pieces in place for it to go well.” Jessie tried to be reassuring.
“Yeah. So did Isa.”
“Isa didn’t have Zach,” Jessie pointed out.
“No.” Kitani sighed. “I’m hoping he’ll make the difference.” Her gold eyes rose to Jessie’s. “It’s none of my business. Don’t be afraid to tell me to take a hike. But have you talked to Kade?”
Chances were good that her sharp Sabre hearing had caught the conversation between Cara and her. Kitani must be dying to know what was going on between Jessie and her brother.
Jessie pressed a piece into place before deciding to tell her. “I told him yes.”
Kitani’s eyes ignited. “Oh, that’s wonderful. He’s been like an injured lion lately. Grumpy as hell. Well, grumpier than normal, anyway. Haven’t seen him like that since—well, for a long time. Told him there was something between him and you. He scoffed at me. But it’s been like he’s coming alive, again, since he met you. He’d been so”—she groped for the word—“mechanical, I guess. Since Isa died.”
“That must have been awful,” Jessie blurted, then instantly regretted it. Kitani didn’t need the reminder.
The Sabre straightened before answering. “It was. And then his bond brother, Cas, got himself killed months afterward. Kade thought he’d deliberately done it. Gone up against the Dires when he knew he was outnumbered.” Her eyes glinted pure gold. “Braden was there.”
“Braden? This Braden?”
Kitani nodded. “Braden’s scent was all over Cas’s body. Even if it weren’t for what he’s done to you, Kade wants him dead.”
A fight between Kade and Braden would be terrifying. Jessie hadn’t seen the fight between him and the Dire in her house. She’d never forget the sounds, though. And again, here, the night Zach and she drove them away. She couldn’t imagine the savagery of a fight between a Sabre and a Dire.
But she’d seen the scars all over Kade’s body. They gave her an idea of just how brutal it was.
“Anyway, I am happy for you two,” Kitani said. “I just wish it was under better circumstances.”
“Cas was his bond brother?”
