“I’m honored to be a part of this and will do whatever I can,” Felix said.
“Marcus?”
“Yes. I’ll do it. Who will be the third?”
“We haven’t decided yet. I wanted Tabitha to get to know each of the guards a little more. At this time we are leaning toward Lance. Since he will have first shift, I’m hoping Tabitha can talk to him a little longer and get her own feel for him.”
The men seemed satisfied with the answer. Tabitha yawned. The excitement was taking its toll on her.
“Felix, why don’t you work up a schedule for the guards and then you can finish enjoying the party if you wish. Plan another meeting with the guards for tomorrow morning after breakfast. We need to go over a plan for dealing with Pierce.”
“Yes, sir.” He stood, ready to leave.
Marcus and Raja didn’t move, as if they understood Ty wasn’t finished with them.
“Ty, I know it is against the protocol, but I think Tora should be informed.” Raja rubbed his hand over his head.
“He’s right.” She turned to face Ty, who was still standing behind her. “With both Raja and Marcus standing with us, she will be in danger. It’s not just her that we have to worry about, but Scarlet also.”
“Okay. Marcus, retrieve her from the party and return here.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Tabitha had changed into her plaid pajama pants and tank top and was stretched out on the couch when Tora came in, carrying a sleeping Scarlet.
“I was wondering where the party went.”
“Have a sit, sweetie.” Marcus took the sleeping child from her, giving her arms a break.
“What’s going on?”
“Tora, come sit with me. We just want to talk to you.” Tabitha slipped her legs under her, giving Tora room to sit next to her.
“What’s going on?” Tora eyed everyone suspiciously, lowering herself to sit next to Tabitha. Marcus still stood, softly rocking Scarlet.
When no one else took the lead, Tabitha stepped up. “Tora, we asked for you to join us to explain some of what happened tonight and some changes that will be happening.”
“We are telling you this because Raja and Marcus have both agreed to be a part of the operation, and there is danger involved. We want you aware so you can take precautions for you and Scarlet.” Ty leaned against the armrest beside Tabitha.
“What danger could we be in?”
“Marcus and Raja have taken a new position…” Tabitha took a deep breath before continuing, “They tell me you know the legends of the female tiger shifter that will come from my line and unite the tigers.”
“It’s a legend my parents passed down to us.” Tora nodded.
“It’s not a legend. It’s true. Tabitha is the one,” Raja finally spoke from the window he was looking out.
“How do you know this?”
“She can open the book of her line, she has her father’s gift and it’s what our parents always told us.”
“Okay. But why does this place us in danger? Dad never made it sound dangerous.”
“Tora, he told it to us as a bedtime story. If he made it sound scary, do you think you would have been able to sleep?” He ran his hand through his hair. “Pierce won’t be the only one gunning for her. Once this is out…Sorry, Tabitha, but it is true.”
“I know, Raja. Tora, this will also place you in danger. With both your brother and husband as part of the chosen guards, it could make you a target.” Tabitha watched Tora closely.
“Chosen guards?”
“The book said I must choose three guards to help with the tasks. Raja, as our Lieutenant, will stay in that position. I have chosen Marcus and Felix, and we are considering a few different people for the final position.”
Tora nodded as she sat, taking it all in.
“No matter the situation, you’re always in danger, being my sister.” Raja moved closer to her.
“True. What can I do?”
“There is nothing to do at this moment. But we wanted you to understand the situation and be on your guard. If there is ever a time we feel the danger level for you is high, we will assign you guards. We will do everything we can to protect you and Scarlet,” Ty said.
“Thank you. Scarlet is my main concern.”
“We understand.” Tabitha laid a hand on her knee.
* * *
“He has been detained.” Lance strolled through the door before he realized they were not alone. Tora still sat on the couch.
“Who?” Tora asked.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“You know better than that, Lance. However, Tora has been informed of some of the situation. Being Raja’s sister, she is in more danger than most.” Ty turned to Tora before continuing, “Chris Knight. He is charged with treason and conspiracy to commit murder.”
The shock she felt was written clearly across her face. “Chris…” she murmured under her breath. Tabitha wouldn’t have heard it had she not been sitting next to her.
“Were you close?”
When Tora didn’t answer, Raja spoke up. “They dated a while ago, before Marcus came to the clan.”
“We drifted apart once Marcus and I were mated, but I always hoped he would get his life together and find his mate.”
“Would it be all right if I walk my wife back home and put Scarlet to bed?” Marcus asked.
“Just don’t be long.” Ty nodded. “When you return, take your position at the door.”
Marcus reached for Tora’s hand and pulled her up. He wrapped his free arm around his wife and left.
“Lance, take your position outside the door until Marcus returns. When he does, we would like to speak with you privately.”
“Yes, sir.” He nodded to Ty before taking his post.
The three of them were quiet for a few minutes before Ty broke the silence. “Raja, if you ever wanted to step down from your position as Lieutenant and start your own clan, now is the time to do it.”
“I have no desire to leave. This is my home.”
“Good. I wanted to get that out of the way before things were set in motion.” Ty rubbed Tabitha’s shoulders gently. “I’ve been giving this some thought while Tora was here. Pierce’s men are stupid enough to attack us here, so I want us to be ready. I think they will attack tonight after the party when everyone is exhausted. If I’m wrong, tomorrow we’ll see if we can stage something.”
“I agree. Which is why I think you need more than two guards.”
“Fine. After the party, gather up some of the men and station them around the compound. I want them to be ready at a moment’s notice, but I want the place to appear as if everyone is in bed. I don’t want them to know we are expecting them.”
Raja nodded at the same moment Lance opened the door.
“If this is a bad time, I can come back.”
“No, Raja and I were just leaving. Keep Tabitha company until I return.” Ty kissed his mate’s cheek. “I’ll be back soon.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tabitha ran her hand down Ty’s chest, her head resting in the crook of his arm, as the compound began to settle around them. She knew there were guards ready to defend them, but her heart was still in her throat as the possible outcomes ran through her head.
“What did you think of Lance?”
She knew he was trying to keep her mind off what might be coming for them, but it wasn’t helping. She felt helpless, and sitting here doing nothing was killing her. These people were after her, not the clan, but her clan was ready to fight to their deaths for her.
“I liked him. He seems to always be on guard. As if he is picturing the worst case scenario and is ready for whatever comes his way.”
“Being ready for the worst-case makes you ready for whatever happens. He is a good guard, and I believe he would make our core group stronger. He takes orders well and thinks outside the box.”
Tabitha nodded.
“Then we agree on Lance?”
“Wh
at about his mate? Does she get a say in this?”
“Each mated pair is different. Some consider their spouse in the decision, and some do not. Marcus knows Tora well and knew he didn’t need to seek her opinion before accepting. It isn’t normal for the guards to be able to discuss situations with their mates. Assignments are normally on a need-to-know only basis. If Lance wishes to decline the position, that is his right, however, with the current situation, he will not be able to discuss it with his mate until it is made public.”
“You mentioned mating hormones before. Do you think Lance’s head is on straight enough for this?”
“That is a concern. I think he would be perfect for the position without the mating hormones. Now that he is newly mated, his thoughts are on other things.” To show what he meant, he kissed her neck. “Then what do you think of Thomas?”
“He takes orders well.” Tabitha let out a soft moan as Ty continued to kiss her neck. “I can’t think if you keep doing that.”
“That’s the whole point.”
He slipped his hand under her shirt, ready to tear it off, when his cell buzzed. “Damn it!” He reached for the phone, growling. “This better be good.” He snarled. “Okay. Stand by until they make their move. Don’t let them escape.” He hit a button and was silent for a moment. “Raja, they’re approaching. Get Felix. I want you both over here.”
“Ready for this?” Ty slid the phone back into his pocket.
“Not in the least bit, but what choice do we have?”
“Have you ever handled one of these?” he asked, pulling out a 9MM Glock.
“I’ve never shot a gun before.”
Ty had just finished showing her how to work the gun when she heard someone open their door. Ty had instructed everyone earlier to leave the lights off, giving the impression they were asleep.
“It’s just Raja and Felix,” he whispered. “You’re going to be fine. Just remember to stay behind us, and if Felix tells you it’s time to move, you move, no questions asked. I don’t care what’s happening to me, you go with him. I’ll find you when it’s safe.” He leaned down until their foreheads were touching. “I love you.” He kissed her.
“Felix, if anything happens to her....” Ty growled.
“She will be safe. I’ll protect her with my life.”
The bedroom door opened, and everyone braced for action. There was a good chance whoever was on the other side of the door wasn’t friendly.
“It’s Thomas,” came a whisper as the door inched open.
“What the hell are you doing, Thomas?”
“I saw Lance leave his post, and I wanted to check it out.”
“Shut the door. I’ll deal with Lance later. Where’s Marcus?”
“He’s still on watch. They were heading this way.” Thomas closed the door behind him.
“Then we better be ready,” Ty said, eyeing Felix, who nodded.
Something tumbled to the floor in the living room. Everyone’s body went stiff as they readied for what was coming. Ty and Felix moved to stand in front of Tabitha, blocking her view of the door, while Raja stood at Ty’s side and Thomas next to Felix.
If the time comes, will I be willing to shoot to kill and save myself? She wasn’t sure of the answer, but still, she held the gun to her side, while the men had theirs aimed at the door.
The door splintered as the intruders kicked it in. So much for picking the lock.
“Stop right there,” Ty hollered when shadowy figures entered the room.
The faint light coming in the window allowed Tabitha a glimpse of the face of the youngest man in the back of the group before he turned as if to run but found Marcus and another guard blocking the door.
Ty let out a deep growl as the two other intruders went for their weapons . “Raise those guns and you will die.”
“Either way, we will die. It is better at your hands than at our Alpha’s.” The two men in the front weren’t going to go down without a fight, while the last one looked terrified.
Tabitha couldn’t take her gaze off the last guy. There was something about him. Almost as if he weren’t there willingly. Before she could question it further, all hell broke loose.
In a split second, she heard Felix turn the safety off his gun as two of the intruders shifted. The third one stood there, apparently not knowing what to do. Felix pushed her back against the wall as Raja and Thomas shifted to be on equal ground as the others.
Ty braced himself, ready to protect her if they got past Raja and Thomas. Marcus already had the other man detained, cuffed and on the ground outside the bedroom. He left the other guard to keep watch over the prisoner and came to assist with the others.
Growls echoed around the small space, and hair flew through the air as they attacked each other. It was hard to know which shifter was who. She recognized Raja. There was a different energy around him that she was able to distinguish from the others.
Her heart skipped a beat as one of the tigers was thrown against the wall to land in a heap on the floor, where he didn’t move. She could see the tiger’s chest rise and fall with shallow breaths, but if he was not moving, he had to be seriously injured. Don’t let that be Thomas!
The fighting went on for what seemed like hours, but could have only been minutes. Tabitha’s heart was in her throat as she watched people fight for her, knowing that if it wasn’t for her, this wouldn’t be happening.
A second tiger fell to the ground, his throat ripped open. As he died, he shifted back to human form. With one dead and one severely injured, Raja and Thomas shifted back, allowing Tabitha to breathe easy.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Finish him,” Raja ordered, handing Thomas a gun before slipping on one of the pairs of shorts that Ty grabbed for him and the others.
Without hesitation, Thomas took the gun, walking toward the injured tiger. Tabitha tried to make herself call out, to tell Thomas not to do it, but she couldn’t. The tiger in her knew this had to be done.
A shot pierced the night, and her breath caught in her throat. Tonight, as she’d embraced her tiger, she realized part of her human beliefs had died.
“It had to be done. He was here to kill you. There is no way we could have trusted him after that.” Ty put his arms around her, drawing her close.
She nodded, resting her head on his chest, breathing in his smell.
“I want to speak with the prisoner.”
“Tabby, I think that can wait until morning.”
“No, I need to do it now.”
He nodded. “Raja, allow him to sit. She can talk to him before he is taken to a cell.”
Before Raja could react, his cell phone rang. Pulling it out of his pocket, he answered it. “Yeah?”
“I’ll deal with the prisoner,” Marcus said as Raja moved way from everyone to take the phone call.
“The grounds secured? No other intruders on the premises?” There were a few moments of silence as the person on the other end answered. “Good. Send out a search party. Follow his scent. I want to be notified if you find anything.” Raja ended the call.
“Thomas, help Marcus. Close the door behind you.” Raja slipped the phone back into his pocket.
When the bedroom door was firmly closed behind him and only the three remained, he explained, “There was someone down in the cells. Chris is gone, and the guard is dead.”
“Shit! I didn’t question him yet.”
Tabitha decided to share her knowledge. “I don’t think he would have been any help. But I think the one in the living room has information.” The men eyed her inquisitorially.
“What gives you that impression?” Raja spoke when Ty didn’t.
“I watched him. He knows something. He didn’t want to be here but had to be. If I can speak with him, I think I might be able to find out whatever he is hiding.”
“Raja, go ahead out there. We will be there in a moment. I want to speak with my mate first.”
* * *
Tabitha sat on the corn
er of the bed, with Ty kneeling before her. “Explain to me this feeling that you’re getting.”
“It’s hard to describe. There is like a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. Sometimes I can just tell something,” Tabitha tried to explain.
“I think you might be coming into another gift.”
“What do you mean?”
“As mates, we are able to feel each other’s feelings. You shouldn’t be able to pick up on others’. But I think you are. This is one of the abilities that some of the members in your line have.” Ty stood, raking his hands through his dark hair.
“But I already have my ability.”
“It’s possible to have more than one. Maybe you’ll have whatever ones you need to bring the tigers together.”
“We don’t have time to question this now. Let’s deal with the situation at hand, and then maybe we can consult the book. Maybe there is some kind of answer in it.” Tabitha took a deep breath before standing.
Chapter Twenty-Four
In the living room, the man slouched on the couch. His head hung, and tears glistened in his eyes. The guards standing beside and behind were ready to leap into action, if the situation called for it.
“I don’t think we need everyone here,” she whispered to Ty.
“Everyone except Raja, Felix and Marcus, resume your duties. We have this under control now.”
“Thank you,” she murmured to Ty. Marcus stood behind the couch, while Felix watched from the side, and Raja and Ty stood by her side.
For the first time, she was able to get a good look at the man before her. He was in his early twenties, young, and if her impression was right, he was a new shifter. But there was an odd smell to him. It wasn’t as if he’d just come from another clan, but as if he was entirely different.
“What is your name?” she questioned the man sitting before her.
“Connor, ma’am.”
“Why?” The sorrow poured off him, almost drowning her in it.