Asanni Read online

  “Well, that’s something to work on, then. Einhamir’s not a hereditary position, is it? Your father was the previous Einhamir, but you didn’t automatically replace him when he died. James did,” Astrid said.

  “No, it’s not inherited. The clans choose their Einhamirs. Sometimes, although rarely, Einhamirs die, more often they retire, sort of, or they need to be replaced, like Seth now. Or a new, better leader emerges.” He smiled. “Or it could happen that a chosen Einhamir feels he’s not ready for the job. Red Cliffs wanted me to be their Einhamir after my father died, but back then, I wasn’t ready, so James temporarily took the ‘office’. He’s been keeping it for me since then.”

  “So you’re going to be the Einhamir?

  Jack shrugged. “Yes. And soon, I’d say.”

  “Oh. Why have your changed your mind?”

  He smiled and gently kissed Astrid’s lips. “I’m ready now.”

  Astrid wondered if that whole mess with her in the main role had anything to do with Jack’s sudden change of heart.

  “What did you do while James was doing your job?” she said.

  “I studied, traveled, lived in many different places and on different continents.”

  “What’s your job?”

  “Special missions. I have assignments with the Government. They send me to get somebody’s butt out of impossible and quite dangerous places, after all other conventional methods fail, or when they don’t want to try them at all. Helped quite a few of your colleagues trapped in the various war zones.”

  She wasn’t surprised. That fitted him perfectly.

  I wouldn’t mind being rescued by you. In fact, I’m sort of being rescued, and I like it, another thought came from nowhere.

  “There are a few of us,” Jack continued, “from all around the world, doing the same job.”

  “That’s a noble job,” she said, truly impressed.

  “Well, thank you. But I don’t think it’s any more noble than yours, Astrid. As I said, many of those we rescued were doctors, and I was always impressed with their courage and determination to go to such places to help others.”

  “Who else are your usual charges? Besides doctors.”

  “People without common sense or good judgement about where they should or shouldn’t be. Hostages, journalists... I came here from South America. A militant group had kidnapped a journalist and asked the family for ransom. His mother-in-law arranged to send the money, but instead of releasing him, they asked for more. So she paid again—she’s the richest one in the family—but then she decided to contact me. This time it was a private arrangement, she didn’t go through the official institutions. She wanted to make sure he was going home that time.”

  “And you brought him back?”

  “Sure. Two of us went, my friend Adam and I. It took us less than a week to find him and bring him home. She should’ve contacted us as soon as she’d gotten the first ransom request. It would have saved her a couple million.”

  “How did she know about you?”

  “I’ve known the family for a long time.”

  “Who was he? The journalist?”

  “Harold Bertram.”

  “Harold Bertram!? That man has guts! How come nobody’s heard about it?”

  “The family was warned not to notify the authorities, and later Bertram decided not to go public about it. He has his reasons. By the way, his daughter, Lucy, just married a guy from Red Cliffs.”

  “A werewolf?”

  “No, Charley’s human. Lucy’s family was concerned about her safety. There were some threats before Bertram was kidnapped, so James suggested she should come to Red Cliffs—”

  “Why there? Is she a werewolf?”

  “No, but she has a ranch within our boundaries, beside Charles’ place… long story. Anyway, she did come, but as Charley’s wife. They live outside of town. We’ll visit them once we’re back home… Are you working today?” Jack asked suddenly.

  “Tonight. Weekend night shift, ER. Why?”

  “Let’s have a walk. You need some fresh air. I saw a coffee shop near here.”

  “I haven’t finished with my questions.”

  “I know. We can talk there. Put your rain boots on, it’s wet outside.”

  “I love rain, but sometimes I wish it would snow here. I like snow,” Astrid said a little bit later, pushing her feet into her pink rain boots.

  Jack smiled and gently kissed the tips of her fingers. “Then Red Cliffs is the perfect place for you, Miss Spock.”

  IT WAS a sunny day, fresh and crisp, the air was humid and smelled of earth, pine and wind.

  As soon as they stepped outside, Jack put his arm around her shoulder. She didn’t expect it and instantly stiffened.

  Jack pulled her closer. “You are my girlfriend, remember? I’m going to take you with me in about two weeks. Let your fellow citizens see how crazy you are about me.” He took her arm and slid it behind his back. “Come on, Astrid, you know how a pair in love is supposed to walk.”

  She tucked her thumb through the belt loop of his jeans.

  “Like this?”

  “Exactly. To be honest, I took you outside so that we could do this. It’s dangerous to hold you tight inside.”

  Astrid was obviously well known in town—Jack wondered how that contributed to her safety here—and well liked. Every few yards somebody would say hello to Dr. Duplant, and nod politely in Jack’s direction.

  The crew at Café Flamingo greeted her warmly. The teenage boy behind the coffee machine asked Jack what he wanted, and grabbed a warmed white cup for Astrid’s usual double espresso.

  “I see you’re a regular here.” Jack pulled out a chair for Astrid and sat close to her. He slid his arm around her waist and left it there.

  She briefly closed her eyes and the warm current embraced her from inside. Now it was the right time for her next question. “How old are you?”

  Jack laughed. “That’s classified. God, Astrid, don’t you have some easy questions on your list? Old enough for you, no worries.”

  She decided not to insist on a more precise answer. This time. “What did you study?” she asked instead.

  “Economics. Law. Art. Marine biology. Business, most recently.”

  Astrid put a spoonful of sugar in her cup and stirred it, then licked the spoon and pressed it on her lips. She always did that, she liked the warmth of the metal and taste of coffee foam on her lips.

  Jack leaned closer. “That’s so sexy,” he whispered into her ear.” The way you lick the spoon.”

  Astrid slowly placed the spoon back on the plate. “You’re sidetracking me, Jack Canagan.”

  “Your heart is beating quite fast. I can hear it.”

  “How about yours?”

  “Feel it.” Jack took her hand and placed it on his chest. His heart beat in a strong, fast rhythm that mirrored hers. “I told you I’d do anything to make you fall in love with me.”

  And you are progressing just fine.

  “But I’m already there. I couldn’t help falling in love with you.”

  Jack took her chin between his fingers and gently turned her head to him. “Astrid, I don’t want to remind you unnecessarily of our talk last night, but do you remember what you asked me before you fell asleep?”

  “What did I ask you?” she winced.

  “To hold you. And I did. And that’s why you woke up laying across me.”

  “I don’t remember, Jack. I must have been upset. Sometimes, when I’m under too much pressure, I easily fall asleep and I sleep a lot.”

  He noticed that. Two nights ago, she’d also fallen asleep, unwilling to confront her own confusion. Last night she simply shut herself down twice.

  He had a feeling, though, that things were not so simple. She wasn’t a person who would hide at the first sign of danger. She was a little warrior, preferring maybe a strategic approach to an open battle, but she didn’t lack courage. He was missing something, and that could be a clue. Something was naggi
ng in the back of his brain, something she’d done or said… He let out a deep, irritated sigh.

  Astrid placed her hand over his. “Hey, is everything okay?”

  “Oh, God, Astrid, you feel so good,” Jack said softly.

  Slowly, hesitantly, her other hand touched Jack’s face. Her fingers traced his eyebrow, first one, then the other one, and moved down along his jawbone. Her palms framed his face and stayed there.

  He closed his eyes, breathing in her scent and feeling her touch with every single fiber of his being.

  Everything else ceased to exist.

  “Jack,” she said in deep, husky voice.

  Then he remembered. He didn’t need to look at her eyes to know that the sapphire blue of her irises darkened slightly, shifting toward amber. The change in her voice was enough to prove his suspicions. He knew what his subconscious mind had been trying to tell him. And he was sure he had the answer to why her change was so dramatic. It was so simple yet nobody had thought about it.

  His lips touched her palms, one by one. “You don’t have a split personality, Astrid.”

  She pulled her hands away, startled by his reaction. Her eyes were blue again.

  “I was just joking. What’s going on? Why are you so excited?”

  “You asked me last night if James was going to be upset with me for telling you about Seth and his plans. Do you remember what I told you?”

  Astrid looked puzzled. “I don’t even remember asking you that. What was your answer, by the way? I wanted to ask you that before.”

  “I said that I outranked him. And you said you were glad to hear that. Ring any bells?”

  Astrid shook her head, alarmed. “Jack, what’s wrong with me?”

  He stopped and pulled her closer. “Relax, Astrid. Everything’s fine with you. I believe that your wolf is trying to come out.”

  “I know.”

  He looked sharply at her. “You know? Why on earth didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t know for sure, but that’s the only logical conclusion. I’m hoping you’re going to be able to fill me in soon. I have no clear memories, remember? But I can feel her somehow. And since you came, I’ve had thoughts that... that are and are not mine. That’s new. Before I change she must take over, that’s how I see it. Otherwise, she hadn’t been interfering with me. My other part, I mean. Until now. I have no problem that she’s with me, Jack. Why I don’t remember her, that’s what I want to know.”

  “She is one smart wolf.”

  “You bet she is. She’s me.”

  “I need to talk to Tristan and Liv later. Now let’s go home and we’ll make something to eat. And then we’ll talk.

  “Jack, is everything really okay with me?” Astrid said, worried.

  “Yes, don’t worry. I believe your spirits are not connected yet, and that’s the reason for all your troubles. In other words, your untamed little beast roams free, Astrid. That happens.” He pulled her closer. “We need to get them connected somehow, and I think I even know what needs to be done.”

  Another surprise, she thought. Why wasn’t she surprised then? What else was going to happen? She didn’t have split personalities, but rather split spirits. How reassuring. “Jack, can you tell me how to connect them?”

  “Even better, Astrid. I think I’ll be an active participant in the process,” Jack said and kissed her temple. “So what would you like to have for supper?”

  THEY WERE a block from Astrid’s house when Jack suddenly scooped her up and carried her to the door. The movement was as unexpected as it was smooth and easy. “I was just curious how it would feel,” he said, in lieu of explanation.

  Chapter Twelve

  Astrid

  STILL IN Jack’s arms, I punched in the alarm code and opened the door. He carried me in.

  “So what are we going to eat today, Chef Jack?” I said to hide my confusion. And panic, mixed with a strong desire to somehow direct him to one of our bedrooms.

  He put me down on the sofa and pulled off my rain boots.

  “Let’s see what we have,” Jack said and towed me to the kitchen. He placed his wrist watch on top of the microwave and inspected the contents of the fridge.

  “How about halibut steaks in wine and dill sauce and grilled asparagus?”

  “What should I do?” I said, looking for a distraction.

  “Rinse the asparagus and break off the tough ends.”

  As I was working on my assignment, I watched him from under my lashes. He seemed absorbed in his task, skillfully preparing the fish fillets for grilling, chopping the herbs, looking for the pans and pots in my cupboards. In my small kitchen, he looked even bigger than his solid 6’3” but managed nonetheless to move with natural ease and elegance.

  He wore a tight black V-neck T-shirt, which so deliciously contoured his broad shoulders and graceful, long muscles. His forearms were lightly dusted with soft, brown hair. His hands were big and strong, and brought up a whole bunch of wild images in my head.

  Show-off...

  I stood in the opposite corner of the miniature kitchen island, busy with the asparagus. I had a million and one questions to ask, but Jack’s presence in such limited space was simply overwhelming. He attracted me like a magnet, but it wasn’t only the sexual chemistry. Not that there wasn’t an abundance of it; on the contrary. But Jack also radiated irresistible vitality and energy and I responded to that call with insane enthusiasm as if I had been waiting for it my entire life.

  For a while we were busy cooking. The kitchen apparently hadn’t been designed for two people and we frequently brushed against each other. I could physically feel the sexual tension rising. I could smell his arousal; I could clearly see it through his jeans. Surely, with his sharp senses, Jack could smell and see my excitement. It was crazy, and it was the best thing that had ever happened to me.

  Had James anticipated that? Was I indeed so important to them that James hadn’t trusted anybody else but his stepson, his most competent, reliable and loyal kinsman? Or was it Jack’s idea? He outranked James, he said. Could Jack have predicted this strange instant attraction between him and his charge?

  The questions multiplied with a geometric progression. The answers were incomplete, illogical, confusing and sometimes scary.

  We bumped into each other again and I felt the warm current splash over me. I dried my hands on the kitchen towel and without a word retreated to the living room, uncertain how I would react if my body touched his one more time.

  Jack didn’t try to stop me. He understood.

  I curled up on the sofa and reached for The Name of the Rose under the table. Pretending to read it, I let my mind roam free and wild.

  Like my wizard kin, I was quite capable of performing more than one mental act simultaneously, but this time I chose not to. The book was there for Jack’s sake only.

  “You okay there?” I heard him.

  No, I wasn’t. “Uh-huh. Need any help?”

  “I’m okay.”

  I buried my nose in the book. I should not forget to turn the page from time to time, I thought. For Jack’s sake. He might be busy grilling the fish, but his senses were focused on me.

  One thing was certain: I had never felt anything like this before. I had been in love before. I’d broken a heart or two and my own heart had ached on a few occasions. In fact, I’d come here after I’d ended a year-long relationship. I’d always craved emotional engagement, and I’d never given up my dreams about my knight in shining armor. “You are an incurable romantic,” my grandmother would sometimes say, amused. I was romantic, indeed, but I was sure, in spite of my dreams, that I’d been chasing rainbows.

  Until three days ago. It was love at first touch.

  I was sure Jack hadn’t told me the whole story about that incredible, indescribable feeling of being whole whenever we made physical contact. If a single touch, a simple brush of skin, was more sensual, more erotic, more arousing, more connecting than anything I’d ever felt before, what would
happen when we made love?

  And make love we would, sooner or later. That was inevitable, and we were both aware of it.

  An entirely new world was waiting to be discovered and explored, I sensed, and at its entrance stood Jack, my handsome kinsman with his outstretched hands, waiting for me.

  MY GORGEOUS companion stood between the kitchen and the living room, leaning on the doorframe. My heart made a mighty thump. It’d stopped bothering me that he could hear it. As far as I knew, his heart could be doing the same.

  “It’s ready. Come to the kitchen.” Jack moved aside to let me pass. “You’re quiet. I thought you’d have more questions to ask,” he said. “It’s a bit overwhelming, isn’t it?”

  Yes, I had so many questions. I just didn’t know where to start.

  We sat at the small table, across from each other. I started eating. Whatever he’d done to that fish, the result was excellent.

  His leg brushed mine—accidentally?—and I shivered, feeling the warm tide inside me.

  Very well then, I would start there.

  I lifted my head and found his eyes, trying to ignore their amber allure. “When I eventually touch another werewolf, I will not feel the same sensation I feel when I touch you, right?”

  He held my gaze. “Right.”

  “Good. And you don’t feel it when you touch somebody else?”

  “No. And I had never felt it before I touched you.”

  “So it’s yours and mine. Good again. Now can you please explain to me what it is?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jack

  “I’VE TRIED not to scare you,” I said. “And I didn’t lie. It does happen between werewolves and it is because of who we are. But I knew you would see a hole in my story.”

  “It’s a rather big hole. It’d be awful to share this incredible sensation with every single one of you. So?”

  “Astrid, can we eat first and then talk?”

  “You think I’ll lose my appetite when I hear the whole story? I’ve heard quite a few peculiar stories in the last few days. A little bit more won’t do any harm,” she said, but continued to eat.