Forbidden Call (New Breed Novels, Book 1) (15 page)

SE looked around at his brothers as they shifted uncomfortably.

“I have no doubt the Order will be able to at least slow the program down,” she continued. “But there’s another issue. I don’t know why Victrixa wants the
naguals
. I found the location of the warehouse den in a set of papers she had hidden in her office. The entire file is in Yucatec Mayan. I have roughly a third of it translated. I’ll continue to work on it here. I’m very sure what’s left will be important, but there’s no way to tell whether or not it contains that particular information. As I work on the translation, X will work on the vials to try and figure out how the spell works.”

Ana walked over to X, handed him her vial, and walked back to SE. She turned and leaned back against him, her body softening immediately as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

“We’re used to fighting mainly
hellions
,” Reyn said, “with maybe one or two Toltec shifters to every twenty mutants. Fighters for the Initiative move in pairs, one mutant to drain the civilian and one shifter to collect the
nagual.
In that sense, it’ll be very easy to spot our new targets. Our goal is to take down the mutants so that the civilian won’t be drained. If that’s not possible, we’ll take down the shifter and release the
nagual
. We’ll go with this in the short term. I’m sure once Victrixa knows we’re on to her, she’ll change her strategy. Hopefully, Ana’s information will give us a good head start, though. That’s all.”

As SE and Ana walked out of the room, X jogged by on his way down to the compound. “Ana, you and me downstairs for research tomorrow morning, you dig?”

She smiled. “I’ll be there.”

SE took her hand in his as they started up the stairs. “Are you going to be okay with just research for now?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. Besides, I’m not a member of the Order. I’m not sure they’ll ever let me fight. I guess I’d better get used to it.”

Nothing brought out Dr. Supportive and Mr. Possessive A-hole like thinking of Ana in the field. Half of him wanted her to be able to fight. Fighting was a big part of who she was. She wouldn’t be happy any other way. But the protective instinct made him want to lock her in their room and throw away the fucking key. And didn’t that make him a total douche.

SE squeezed her hand. “I’m not a member either, technically. I haven’t been initiated yet.”

“When does that happen?”

“New Breeds are usually initiated after the second month. I think it makes sense to wait though. There’s no point if we don’t end up staying.”

It took about five seconds for him to figure out he’d said the wrong thing.
Damn it.
She dropped his hand as they walked into their room. He waited as she stood at the window with her back turned toward him.

“I can’t do this, SE. I can’t be the reason you have to leave.”

“Hey, hold on. We don’t even know if that’s going to happen yet. And you and I both know our mating comes first. Nature makes us that way. I can’t say no to you, and I wouldn’t if I could.”

“I just don’t want you to have to be like me. You belong somewhere. I don’t. I never have.”

“Whoa. I don’t
ever
want to fucking hear that again.” He walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Look at me. Ana,
look
at me
. ”

She turned around and looked up into his eyes.

“You belong with me. You and I,
we’re
our family. Hey, come here.” He took her hand, led her into the closet and flicked on the light.

She sucked in her breath. “What…”

“You see those two weapons cabinets? One’s mine and one’s yours. No matter where we live, it’ll always be that way. But for the time being, it doesn’t look like we’re going anywhere.”

Ana slowly approached the cabinet on the right and opened it. Her crescent knives were safely hanging at the center, with the rest of her knives placed artfully around them. Her handgun was fastened at the top.

“Who?” she asked.

“Diesel. That’s why he missed dinner. And believe me—he won’t miss dinner for much.”

She touched one crescent blade lightly. “He sharpened everything.”

SE laughed. “He’s our weapons guy. He probably couldn’t stand putting them in any other way.” He took down one of the knives to admire Diesel’s handiwork. “You know, you never told me, why the crescents?”

“I guess I’ve never really thought about it. I love everything about them—their beauty, their efficiency.”

He was on her in seconds. “Fuck, I love you.” His hands went straight down the back of her jeans as his mouth took hers.

“Shit, wait,” she said breathlessly, “Aren’t you on duty?”

“Not for half an hour,” he answered against her mouth.

“Mm. Plenty of time.”

Richard wandered through the living room and into the bedroom. Adriana was stretched out on the bed, but her usual book was nowhere in sight. She looked deep in thought. “Hey, female. How’re you holding up?”

“Lousy. You?”

He sat down on the bed and took off his boots. “The same.”

“Richard, I am a terrible person. Did you see the way SE avoided us at dinner?”

“Honestly, I think he was just trying to keep the peace.”

“I can’t believe I slapped him.” She looked down at her hands. “Am I a person that slaps people now? I can’t have a baby if I go around just smacking people.”

“Of course you’re not.” He took her hands in his. “I think the last person you hit was me when you first phased. What is that? One person every twenty years?”

Adriana shrugged her shoulders. “It’s just…I don’t trust her. But then why would the Goddess have sent her to SE? To us? I hate to question, but…”

“Look, even SE questioned it. Why do you think he forced himself to stay away from her for so long?”

“But now he’s completely bonded to her. He feels safe with her. Shit, we’ve got Diesel installing a weapons cabinet as a freaking housewarming gift! It’s
me
. I’m the only one with the problem.”

Richard kissed her palms. “No, you’re not. I guarantee you that. I think Reyn, when given the choice, would rather have her here where we can—”

“Keep an eye on her?”

“I was going to say get to know her again. But, yeah, that works, too.”

Adri seemed to be someplace far away from him. “All those years she was with her adopted mother at the compound she was so quiet. So, so quiet.”

“Yes, but now we know why. Remember, when we first found out she was a spy? We figured she was following Toltec’s orders. The less you say, the less you might give away.”

“And now you don’t think so?”

“I’m sure that was part of it, but what if she just never felt like she belonged? To be given away by your own mother at ten years old is monstrous.”

Adriana’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Richard, I can’t even imagine how hard and confusing it must have been for her. What happened to SE was so tragic. He deserves to be happy after all he’s been through. I just…”

Richard smoothed her hair. “Hey, you love him, Adri. We both do. Look, there’s nothing wrong with looking out for him, but you will drive him away for good if he doesn’t feel like you accept her. You don’t have to trust her. Hell, you don’t even have to like her. But you have to at least accept their mating. Do you think you can do that?

Adriana closed her eyes for a minute, then nodded. “When he first
permaphased
after Gabi died, it nearly killed you. He was your best friend. Instead of losing one, we lost them both. This time we have some control over whether or not we lose him. I can live with having her here. Losing him again is not an option.”

Richard gave her quick kiss. “That’s my Adri. If nothing else, it should be entertaining. If there’s one thing the Mata females have always been good at, it’s surprises.”

Adriana giggled. “Don’t remind me!”

Richard laughed. “Warm milk, female?

“Right on, my male.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

SE met Dimitri in the munitions room. When he walked in, the brother was just picking up a rifle and walking to the door.

“Long range tonight?”

“Yeah, just in case. Big difference between thirty targets and two.”

As the two of them walked toward the elevator, SE cocked his head thoughtfully. “No scope on your rifle, D?”

Dimitri grinned. “Nah, I figure I’ll have Diesel put one on when they make one better than my own eyesight.”

“Yeah, that’d be handy.”

“So, what’s your new mate up to tonight?”

“Oh, God. Probably watching a bunch of zero talent douche bags on PPV and trying not to lose her mind.”

“Bound to be hard on her, not being in the field. She sure as hell ain’t the domestic type.”

“Noo. Not even close. She’ll be okay for now. We’ll just have to take it as it comes.”

They walked out of the elevator, through the rec room and into the foyer.

“Care to take the lead?” Dimitri asked.

“After you, boss.”

Dimitri dematerialized from the foyer and SE followed. They gleamed from rooftop to rooftop of Midtown. Suddenly, SE stopped, prompting Dimitri to double back.

“What’s up, SE?”

“You feel that?” SE asked, nodding toward the east.

“Yeah. But I’m only picking up on a
hellion
.”

“I’m gonna check out the sitch. Just be ready with that thing in case I need back-up.”

“SE—”

“What? I’m hands-on, in case you haven’t noticed. Just be ready.”

SE gleamed down into the solid darkness of Mason Street. They were there. He could feel them.

Hey motherfuckers! Come out, come out wherever you are.

He gleamed further up the street, materializing about six feet from one giant-ass
hellion
that obviously thought he’d found his next meal. The mutant must have been an NFL linebacker once upon a time. Not that he paid attention to football. Then again, checking out the size of this Frankenshifter, maybe he should have. The mutant nailed him in the side of the head and SE’s vision clouded for a second. He shook it off. “Where’s the new wife, asshole?”

He got the answer to that when he felt a knife cut deep into his upper arm. He heard a shot, and the shifter went down hard.

Thanks, D.

SE unsheathed one of his knives and beheaded the
hellion.
He turned around and pulled the shifter into a dark corner.

Dimitri materialized next to him. He looked down at the shifter’s body and shook his head. “I have a feeling I’m going to miss the good old days when we mostly fought
hellions.
Where the fuck are we going to hide all these bodies? Christ. There’ll be dead dudes all over town.”

SE wiped his weapon on his jeans and sheathed it. “Yeah, it’s gonna be a problem.”

“Is the arm bad?”

“Meh. Could maybe use some stitches.”

“Why don’t you head back and deal with the arm, bro. I’ll catch up to Troy and X. Gimme a holler when you come back out.”

“You got it.”

Ana sat on the bed surrounded by papers, all of which were written in Mayan. She was typing on her laptop, making notes and arranging phrases so they made more sense. The work was incredibly tedious, but the information was vital, and she was still hoping to answer the million dollar question—
What the hell did Victrixa want with the
naguals
? She seriously doubted she’d find the answer in the file, though. Her psycho bitch of a mother would never be that careless. Some things should never be written down.

Ana looked up as Soaring Eagle materialized by the door. “You’re back early.”

He took in the heaps of paper on the bed. “Jesus, did the Library of Congress throw up in here?”

“Pretty much.” She picked up the smell of fresh blood. “Hey, you’re wounded. Into the bathroom.” She pointed to the toilet seat. “Sit. Can you get your arm out okay?”

“It’s fine,
ihkweea
,” he protested.

“Uh-huh.” She pulled up his sleeve and started to clean the wound.

“I can handle the stitches.”

“Stitching your own arm is a pain in the ass. It’ll take me half the time.”

She wasn’t kidding. SE watched as his mate expertly sewed him up.

SE cocked his head. “I didn’t know you wore glasses. They’re very hot for teacher.” He grinned.

“Jackass. They’re just for reading. Actually, I think I need new ones. It’s been a while and these don’t seem to help anymore.” She checked out her stitches. “Okay, all set.”

“Damn, you’re good,” SE said, inspecting her work.

She gave his nose a quick kiss. “Thank you, my male.”

“I love it when you say that.”

“Then you’d better hurry back, and I prefer you in one piece.”

“You and me both.” He followed her back into the bedroom and picked up one of the papers on the bed. “This is so amazing. How long does it take to translate a page?”

“Longer than I’m giving it. I’m just looking for key words and phrases. Otherwise, I’d never leave this room.”

SE dropped the paper, leaned over, and gave her a deep kiss. “Fine by me.”

“
In lak'ech
,” she whispered.

“
Ala k'in.
”

Ana had worked until all hours the night before, but she somehow managed to meet X the next morning to do research. As they sat in the tech room, both nursing very large mugs of coffee, they looked at the glass vial that lay in front of them. X shook his head as he held a glass vial up to get a better look at it. “Damn.”

“Yep,” Ana replied.

“You don’t have any idea what kind of spell she might have used?” he asked.

She shook her head. “I wish I did. She’s been practicing different forms of magic for years. She calls on different spirits and uses them to whatever ends she wants. She always has. But I can’t imagine what kind of spirit would have the power to capture a
nagual
. I tried to call a
nagual
away from another shifter a few months back and it almost killed me. I was so sick afterward. Scared the shit out of me. I haven’t touched the stuff since.”

As she remembered being alone and sick in the Yucatán jungle, a chill ran down her spine.