Chapter 5

After Darien sent her back upstairs, Remi scrubbed the entire kitchen from floor to ceiling, trying to burn off her anxiety and frustration. It didn’t work. Now she was looking out Cait’s window at the river. A few couples lingered along the bank, leaning close to each other, believing themselves concealed in the darkness, although the three-quarters moon highlighted their every move. The tranquility should have brought her peace, but it just reminded her of what was lacking in her life.

Her phone chirped in her pocket. Pulling it out, she unlocked the screen to see Darien’s name.

Turn off your brain and get some sleep.

How did he always seem to know when she was at odds with some part of her life? Maybe I was sleeping; she sent back.

If you were, that last reply would have been uglier.

He knew her too well. How’s Kyran doing?

No one has killed him yet.

Shaking her head, she replied. Finally, good news! Seriously… She could almost see him sighing.

He’s fine. I have him helping Baker in the kitchen.

Closing her eyes, she pictured the detective having to put up with Baker’s odd sense of…well, everything. Now I feel sorry for him. Get any more information out of him?

No. Go get some sleep.

If there weren’t several soundproof layers between them, she would never get away with chirping back at him for this long. I’m not tired. She responded before turning to watch one of the couples by the river get up and start walking toward the parking lot.

Stop thinking.

I think I’ll go sit by the river for a bit. It’s peaceful. She knew that would ruffle his fur, but it was also true.

It’s after midnight, Remi.

Checking the time on her phone, she hadn’t realized it was that late. She should really try to sleep. I’ll be fine. There’s a couple hanging around, I won’t be alone.

Take your phone and be careful.

You’d think she was going to go swimming in the dark. Yes DAD!

She smirked at the phone, knowing he’d be clenching and unclenching his jaw because of her now.

GRRR! Was all he sent back.

Tucking her phone into her pocket, she headed to the stairs. It was a picture-perfect night. There was a gentle breeze, just enough to stir the muggy air but not be too cool. The crickets chirping and lapping water broke the silence.

Leaning against the big tree that sheltered her favorite picnic table, she picked up a large twig and twirled it on her fingers. An owl hooted, the sound echoing through the night. Vaguely she could hear a cat yowl, most likely a tomcat out prowling for companionship. The moonlight reflecting off the water was mesmerizing, and she finally found her sense of calm, something desperately missing in her life for the last several months.

Movement downstream caught her attention. She turned her head to see the couple getting up and walking away, holding each other close.

Poking at the ground with the twig, she sighed, hating the melancholy ache in her chest.

A branch snapping caused her to pause until someone moved into her sight. They stood by the bank staring at the river. Maybe its the tranquility would help them, she thought for a moment.

A sound close to her had her tense, and she found herself hauled to her feet as her back slammed against the tree. A large hand slapped over her mouth, driving her skull back against the bark. Pain radiated down her neck from the impact.

Blinking, she tried to focus on the dark blur in front of her. The light was at his back, masking his face in shadow. He stood motionless for what felt like an eternity. When he slowly lowered his hand from her mouth as if testing to see if she was going to scream, it dawned on her what was happening.

“I guess you didn’t do your research,” she whispered roughly, “because if you had, you’d know that none of that supernatural gobbly-guck works on me.” The hand that had been over her mouth wrapped around her throat in a tight hold. “Vampires can’t compel me. Spells don’t work on me,” she gasped, trying to get the words out, “I am completely resistant to your kind.” His hand squeezed her throat tighter. “Now get your hands off me,” her voice was barely a whisper now.

Remi pushed at the chest in front of her, not even moving her attacker. Before she could think of her next move, the hand that had held her pinned to the tree swung out and cuffed her on the side of her face. He shattered her cheekbone, the pain making her eyes water. She tried to knee any part of his body she could reach, only to be rewarded her with another slam against the unforgiving bark behind her.

The next thing she knew, she was sliding down, suddenly free.

“Remi?”

Darien’s voice. Hands grabbed her shoulders. She swung out in their direction only to connect to a body that went with the voice next to her ear. Why does he sound like he’s in a tunnel?

“Remi, talk to me.” She felt herself being lifted into strong arms. “Come on, Álainn talk to me.”

She could feel herself moving, but she couldn’t even feel her legs. Her head was bobbing along like she was floating. Did I go for that swim after all?

“Attis. Get out back and see if you can find out who did this.” Darien was growling.

Attis was here? Should he really be swimming when he was supposed to be manning the bar with Pascal?

“Remi?”

Emery? Why the hell wasn’t he working? She was going to have to sit her night staff down and give them all a good talking to.

“Hang on, A ghrá.”

She could hear boots on the stairs now. What is going on?

“Cait, go get Pascal. Now.”

Darien was really crabby tonight. Maybe she should have given him a night off, she’d tried but he always said no.

“I’m going out to help Attis.”

Emery was so loud; gads, why was he yelling?

“You are going to stay right here. When she comes around, I don’t need her freaking out because you’re off playing avenger.” Darien’s voice bounced around in her head.

That’s it, Dare, keep him in line. She loved Emery, but sometimes she needed to hammer it into him that he wasn’t invincible. Nothing could happen to him.

“Was she conscious when you found her?”

Pascal? This was turning into some kind of party.

“Has she said anything?”

Why was Caitlyn crying? Darien? What’s happening?

“Her eyes were open when I got there.”

Darien’s voice was softer now. Good, she hated it when he was upset.

“No, she hasn’t Cait. I’m sure she’s just a little dizzy.”

Dizzy? She wasn’t dizzy. Oh, wait, yeah, I am.

“Can you do anything? Cait, get some ice for her face.”

Her face? What’s wrong with my face?

“I don’t know how my blood would affect her, Darien. We have no idea what could happen.” Pascal sounded concerned. Pascal didn’t do emotion.

“What happened?”

Oh great, now Randell’s spy was here too. Seriously she needed to get a handle on these people, creatures, beings…whatever. She felt cold fingers at her throat. Oddly enough, they felt comforting.

“Her pulse is strong.” Pascal sounded like he was right beside her, but she couldn’t see him. “See if you can get her to respond. I think she’s probably concussed, but if at any point she doesn’t respond, you’re going to have to take her to the hospital.”

Hospital? Oh, no. No! I am not doing doctors.

“Remi? Come on, sweetheart. I need you to open your eyes for me.” Darien’s voice was so soft and rumbling. She loved it when he sounded like that.

“Here’s an ice pack.” Cait’s voice echoed beside her.

“Come on, Remi,” Darien’s sexy voice again.

The side of her face was suddenly burning. It was so cold. Focusing, she tried to open her eyes, but they didn’t want to.

“That’s it, look at me.”

Following his voice, she turned into his warm chest and rested her head against him; she felt his arms tighten and had never felt so safe.

“She moved on her own. That’s a start.” Pascal’s voice sounded like it was moving away from her. “You, cop. Come with me. We have to find Attis.”

Alarms went off in her head. “D-don’t…” her stomach revolted, “hurt him.”

“Not what I wanted to hear you say, but it’s something.” Darien’s voice whispered against her ear.

Breathing slowly, she snuggled closer to his warmth. Maybe if I just have a short nap, all of this will make sense.