Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Desire Their Queen [Wyoming Warriors 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (7 page)

They didn’t talk on the way back. Kira laid her head against the back of her seat, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the music. Hakan hummed along with the sound system. She liked listening to him.

“Do you sing?” she asked.

“My brother, Lang, has the most beautiful voice in the family, and Lonato is no slouch. Compared to them I only sing so-so.”

“You hum well. You can sing for me anytime.”

He continued humming as she slid into sleep.

* * * *

Kira heard Hakan’s words from a distance. “Wake up. We’re here.”

She fought through the sleep to open her eyes. “I can’t remember ever being this tired. I guess Ellen was right. She told me giving so much blood would catch up with me. I sure hope our enemy waits a few more days to make another appearance.”

He took her arm and guided her through the crowd, who had gathered in the open area, to the front. Mitch motioned for her to join him just inside the circle of trees.

“I’ll wait here for you and watch for Lonato,” Hakan said. She walked with Mitch into the trees. The sun cast ribbons of light through the tree branches.

“I wanted to talk with you and Lann before the meeting starts.” He nodded toward the other man standing to the side. In the dim light, she hadn’t noticed him.

“You plan to announce who you are. Right?” Mitch asked Kira.

“Yes, and that I’m here to help.”

“Lann, are you going to tell them you’re leaving?”

Lann’s brow furrowed, and his arms crossed. “I’ve told my family. They’ve had to get used to the idea. I believe my tribe will need time to adjust to Kira being here and my leaving. I’m staying until our enemy is caught. By then they’ll be so relieved, they’ll be more accepting of the change.”

“I agree,” Kira said.

“Good. I wanted to be sure you hadn’t changed your minds.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s time to start.”

Kira followed Mitch out and onto the stage that had been set up so they could be seen by everyone. Lann walked behind her. She caught a glimpse of Hakan, and Lonato stood at his side.

When she got on the stage, the size of the crowd shocked her. They were standing on all sides of the platform, but most were directly in front. Gradually people quit talking when they saw Mitch with Kira and Lann joining him. Mitch went to the mic.

Kira felt a bit sick. She’d always hated crowds, and added to it she was going to expose who she was. She’d only known her true identity and role in the tribes for a short time herself. She wasn’t fully comfortable with all these changes. She’d been busy fighting to save her sister and others. There’d been no time to think about all the new information she’d learned about herself. But she couldn’t hide from her people any longer. Somewhere, maybe in the group surrounding them, was the person responsible for the poisonings.

Mitch had turned to Kira and Lann. “Which of you wants to go first?”

Kira stepped to the mic.
I might as well get it over with like taking bad-tasting medicine. But these are my people, and I have to get comfortable talking to them.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know all of you. I’ve met a few, especially at the hospital. My twin sister is Averil Stanwic. You might know her better.

“As a child I learned early on that I was different. I had different abilities than my twin. We’re not identical. My parents and I hid my secrets. We grew up away from our tribe. When they returned to live with the tribe, I didn’t come with them.

“We weren’t ashamed of what I was, but afraid others might harm me. I know recently many of you have accepted the shape-shifters in my tribe. I hope you will accept me, as I am a different type of shifter. Our ancestors called a woman like me Flaming Beauty.” She stepped back, blinked her eyes, and shifted into the bird with red, gold, and purple feathers intertwined. Kira spread her large wingspan.

People gasped, and murmuring began in the crowd. Elle came up on the platform. “My people, you know I have our historical records. Such a woman is extremely rare and considered the most valuable of our leaders. Back on our planet she would be queen.

“We are extremely fortunate to have found her.”

Gradually Kira’s colors faded as she shifted back. “I have shown you who I am, now I can reassure you I’m working with the other leaders to find the person with the poison. I do not want to be considered a queen. I’ve agreed to be part of the ruling committee, but I don’t want too many changes made for me. I have been used to my anonymity all these years. I hope you will respect my choice to still have periods when I will need to be alone. Thank you. After Lann speaks we will answer your questions.” Lann came to the microphone, and Kira moved back.

“We have had many changes in the last months. A battle won and now another more difficult type to fight. But we will win it also. What I have to say is going to mainly affect my tribe. I know you are busy settling here and getting your homes built. Thanks to Nick the houses and cabins are going up fast.” He stopped a second as the crowd clapped and yelled Nick’s name. Then he continued. “This is going to be another surprise. It won’t happen until after the person or persons responsible for the poison attacks is caught. But then I will be moving to Texas along with about a dozen of our single men.”

“No!” the crowd shouted.

Lann put his hand up. “It’s been an honor and a pleasure to be your leader, but at this point in my life I want to do something different. I’ll come to visit and see you.” He turned to Kira. “Kira and Garth will take good care of you. She will back up Garth. Someone will always be here to see to your needs. Time changes many things during a lifespan. Ours is longer than the earthlings’. This is one of my changes. I’m sorry it impacts all of you.”

Total silence came over the group as though they needed the time to realize the impact of what Kira and Lann had said to them.

Then one of the women yelled out, “Good for you.” Applause followed. When the group quieted, a man from the third tribe made his way to the stage. “May I come up with you?”

Lann nodded and handed him the microphone. “You all know me. I’m one of the warriors from the third tribe. I wanted to say how much I’ll miss you and your calmness. You had a way of making us feel safe in the most dire circumstances. I appreciate the years you’ve given us. And hope you find what you’re looking for in Texas.” He glanced past Lann to Kira. “For myself, I welcome you. I appreciate what you are giving up to be here with us and to fight for us. Do we all agree?” he asked, turning to the audience.

A roar of
yes
es filled the air. Kira fought back the tears at the sight of her people giving her such a warm greeting. They’d have misgivings after they got home and thought about it, but they’d give her a chance. She didn’t intend to fail them.

Chapter Five

Pearce stood back in the crowd, listening. No wonder his hackles rose when he got close to her on the plane. She was the antithesis of him. He kept his expression blank, but inside he chuckled. What a battle they’d have, good and evil. He’d lost the first battle. Actually, he didn’t lose it. Phillip got overconfident and lost it all. But they had another chance.

He glanced around for his brother. When he walked closer to the front, he saw Rex and Hakan. He never called Rex “Lonato.” It might remind his adopted father to pay more attention to his real son. Of course, in the end, all of his family, except perhaps his mother, would have to go. They’d never agree to be part of the new tribes.

But he studied Kira Bevyns. She had become a more serious problem. Where was her weak spot? She needed to die, and soon. Nothing would stop him from finding out how to kill her.

As the group broke up, he saw Gala standing close to the trees. He walked casually in her direction.

“Walk with me inside the circle,” he said. He passed on by her and went deeper in among the trees. He heard Gala’s footsteps tramping through the fallen leaves.

“It’s dark in here. The sun must have gone behind a cloud.” Gala looked up at the thick tree branches.

“Whisper. We don’t want anyone to hear or see us. We need to strike fast and hard.”

“I’m afraid. We’ll be caught and die. We can’t win against the magnificent bird. She’ll find us.”

“Silly girl, we’ll succeed. Trust me. How do you feel today?” He pulled her body close against his, tipped her face, and kissed her.

“A little sore, but fine.”

“We’ll meet again tonight at dusk. Can you get off?”

“I have the whole day free.” Gala glanced at the ground and scraped her foot across the fallen leaves.

“Then I look forward to our rendezvous. Let’s make it a bit earlier, say four o’clock, same place.” Pearce tipped her face up and stared into her eyes.

Gala hesitated and swallowed. “I’ll be there,” she said in a low voice.

Pearce stood just inside the trees and watched her. Kira, their so-called queen, saw Gala and stopped to speak with her. Gala looked intimidated at first, but after conversing she began to smile.

He heaved a sigh. His hope for a child would have to wait. Gala would eventually confess and implicate him, if she lived. She had to go, before Kira. During their next meeting, he’d do what he should have done the other night.

* * * *

Kira watched the young woman, Gala, walk away. Gala had seemed frightened when Kira stopped to speak with her. She’d been timid and nervous when they first started talking but gradually relaxed and smiled. All of the other women had been comfortable with her. A few seemed a bit shy about greeting her, but they weren’t nervous. She’d asked Gala if she was scared she might become a victim of the poisoner. Gala’s face had gone white for a second. Then she said she was trying to be brave but it was scary. Kira had taken hold of Gala’s hands, and they were cold. She’d reassured Gala, and she finally smiled. But still there was something about her.

Lonato and Hakan broke into her thoughts. “Are you asleep on your feet?” Hakan teased.

“No, just thinking. Did you drive my father’s truck here?” she asked Lonato.

“Yes, I’ll show you where I parked.” They walked toward the community store. “There was one spot left.” Lonato pointed to her truck.

“You look more tired than me. I hope you are going home to sleep.” She observed the tenseness in his body and his drawn expression.

“I am. You were beautiful up there both as yourself and as your bird. It never really hit me what you’d look like and what you could do until I saw you. Hakan told me about your flying. Your mother is probably right. Neither of us ranks high enough to be your husband.”

“Knowing my mother, I’m sure she didn’t say those words.”

“Not exactly. I’m tired. Hakan, take me home to crash.” Lonato pivoted on his heel and walked toward their truck.

“We’ll talk later. Rest.” Hakan hugged her and left to catch up with his friend.

Kira got inside and sat behind the wheel. Maybe she wouldn’t have to worry about them trying to marry her after all. She’d thought freeing herself of their attention would please her, but it didn’t. Still it would be better if they pulled back.