Chapter 23
The blaring of the alarm woke Jacques. Bleary eyed, he stared at the blinking number. It was mid-morning. He had a crick in his neck from sleeping on top of the keyboard. He blinked and sat up with a start. He did a double take at the monitor screen. Upset by the images before him, he jumped to his feet and ran from the security center to the mansion.
He burst through the door, flinging it open so hard it broke the hinges and scared Naiya into eyeballing him. She backed slowly behind the counter and out of his way.
“Naiya! Where is Henry?”
“Last I saw, he was in the den on the ear comm. What’s going on, Jacques?
“Nothing except me doing my job! Gotta go!” He jogged by her and out to the foyer before going to the den. Jacques had to find Henry and lock down the grounds. He knew Naiya had expected him to answer, but he couldn’t. Not yet. Not until he talked to his Alpha.
Jacques slowed to a walk and knocked on the den door. He heard Henry call out, “enter,” and he went in. He noticed Byron, Boris and, to his surprise, Kenneth Dupre and his cousin Michael Haleston. Both men were Betas who ran some of Henry’s other properties. Everyone was seated around the 3-D presentation center, looking at the information displayed there.
Fighting back a snarl at being excluded from this meeting, Jacques calmed himself enough to give Henry the proper greeting. “My Alpha, I have the evidence we need as to how Gerard and his thugs managed to get inside the grounds.”
His words silenced all conversation. Henry studied him, and Jacques returned the favor. He let Henry see his fury at being regulated to Omega duties, for not being allowed to help find Laylah and for being kept from this obviously important meeting of all Henry's Betas.
“Indeed? Then tell me, Jacques. How was it done?”
“Simple. We have a traitor among the staff.”
Kenneth and Michael came to their feet first, shouting denials. Boris appeared thoughtful and Byron bared his teeth in challenge. Jacques ignored them. His attention was on Henry.
“Silence! This raises some questions, considering the fact that you and I, old friend, handpicked all the employees here.”
“I know, my Alpha. And believe me, when I replayed the footage to be sure, I was flabbergasted at the identity of the culprit. It really was the last person I expected that would wish harm to Laylah.”
“Boris, Bryon. Gather all my employees and take them outside to the game court. Use the wolves that came to assist as enforcers. Jacques will go with you to take a physical count to make sure all are accounted for. The traitor will be revealed and answers given. And then, maybe, playtime with a new toy.”
Jacques saw Henry’s cruel expression and wondered when the friend he’d known for over twenty years had changed. “Yes, my Alpha.” The men filed out ahead of Jacques, his mind on his Alpha’s strange behavior.
Chapter 24
Laylah let the water wash over her as she scrubbed and shampooed her hair. It had really gotten dirty last night, she thought. She studied her scrapes and bruises and once again thanked the Universe that she was alive and not badly hurt or, even worse, dead. The busted ankle sucked, but if that was the worst that had happened, she was fine with that. She peeked around the shower door to check the clock. She had fifteen minutes before Kattcha’s return. That was just enough time to rinse out her hair and get dressed.
Sighing at her thoughts about last night, Laylah pondered why that man, Gerard, had looked at her in such a hateful way. She couldn’t fathom such hatred, especially when she hadn’t done anything to deserve it. She didn’t know what they wanted from her and that bothered her, too. They seemed to expect her to understand their reasons for wishing her harm.
Laylah’s knowledge of Weres was limited. Were History was taught in school beginning in the fifth grade and continued every year after that. The powers that be didn’t want humans to forget about the Weres. They wanted everyone to remember the Human-Were War that began in 2150 and ended a decade later. And besides, the laws were clear. Neither group should attack the other and anyone caught breaking the law faced jail time or even death.
So why had they risked it? Laylah hated puzzles and this one was making her head ache. The water was cold and she got out. Somehow she managed to get herself dressed.
“I’ll have to thank Kattcha for giving me a skirt instead of pants. It's easier to wear and doesn’t bother my cast or get in the way of my walking,” she mumbled to herself. Laylah hobbled to the bathroom door and peered out. No Kattcha, but she did spy a pair of crutches against the wall. Gratefully, she took them and maneuvered her way to the plush couch near the desk and sat. Exhausted, she grabbed a pillow and dozed off.
~***~
Mya stood in the kitchen, angrily chopping onions for the omelette she was preparing. How dare Donil bring that girl in their home! Had he lost his mind! Had he no shame?
“Morning, Sis.” Donil strolled in, his usual boyish grin firmly in place.
It was too much for her already offended sensibilities. “She needs to leave. Now!” Mya didn’t waste any time voicing her opinion.
His smile vanished. “No, Mya. She is our guest and will be staying for a little bit while she recovers.”
“Fine! If you’re too weak to kick her out, then I will! We don’t need her brand of trouble here! Or have you so easily forgotten what happened the last time you tangled with the Le Croix family?” Too worked up about their visitor, she failed to heed Donil’s warning growl and narrowed eyes. “She’s going to bring problems down on us that we don’t need, want, or deserve!” Mya glared at Donil when he took a step toward her, daring him to come at her.
“Mya Angela Silentshadow, you will quiet that tongue, young lady. Immediately!”
Guiltily, Mya jumped at her mother’s command. She glared first at her mother who stood in the kitchen doorway with hands on her hips and then at her brother. They didn’t get it. Being bleeding hearts had cost them dearly before. Why were they so intent on repeating past history?
“You will apologize to your brother and then take yourself outside and cool off. Really, Mya, I raised you better than this.”
“So, sorry, Brother, that you can’t handle the truth about your little pet.” Mya slammed the knife down on the cutting board and stalked out of the kitchen.
“Whew! It’s getting close to that the time of the month apparently. Why did you give her all the moody genes, Mom?” Donil teased as he calmed down and tried to lighten the tension.
“It’s a hereditary thing. Your Aunt Brenda was like that too. All fire and vinegar.” She tilted her head and smiled. “I do believe your girl is coming down the hallway.”
“Good! Let me go help her. Be right back.” He ran by his mother, ignoring her laugh at his eagerness.
“Laylah!” He made sure she saw and heard him before he approached. He’d noticed how timid and easily startled Laylah was.
“Oh, Donil! I’m not in trouble am I? I know Kattcha said she was going to get me after forty-five minutes, but she wasn’t there and I got sleepy. I woke up and saw the time and figured I’d try to find the kitchen. My stomach’s growling and, well, um….”
Laylah spoke rapidly and was pulling on her braid again, a nervous habit that he found endearing. Donil made sure to speak soothingly, wanting to keep her calm. “You’re fine. I was coming to get you. We missed breakfast and I hope you don’t mind having brunch instead.”
“No. I mean, not at all do I mind. Uh, shutting up now.” She blushed and fidgeted about.
Yes, she really was cute when she blushed. The pink stained her high cheekbones, making them stand out and captured his interest. And Laylah's eyes--a beautiful emerald green. That particular shade was rare and highly prized by Feline Weres. It fascinated Donil. Correction, Laylah fascinated him.
“You’re staring at me.”
He blinked. “Sorry, Beautiful. Just thinking.”
“Thinking?” Laylah gulped.
“About di
fferent things. Come on, Mom’s waiting and I’m starving.” Donil took her to the kitchen.
::She’s famished! I can hear her belly growling all the way in here. Get that child in here, Donil, before she faints from hunger!::
::But of course, Mama. Can’t have her fainting.:: Donil held the door for Laylah, who hobbled by on the crutches. The clothes his mother had given Laylah fit the girl like a glove.
Laylah wasn’t too curvy or too skinny but somewhere in between. Long legs and hair that fell to her butt, added to her beauty. Idly, he wondered how her hair would look out of its braid. And then how it would look on a silk pillow…His thoughts were taking a decidedly interesting turn.
::Donil Vince Silentshadow, leash those thoughts this instant! And stop broadcasting your fantasies. The whole house doesn’t need to hear them. Remember there are children in this house.:: His mother scolded while serving Laylah a plate of food.
::Sorry, Mom! I’ll behave. Feline’s honor.::
::Cheeky boy. But I do love you.::
Donil took the offered plate and dug in. His eyes constantly strayed to Laylah. He noticed the shy looks she gave him when Laylah thought he wasn’t looking. It pleased him that she was curios. She tried to hide it, but it was there. He waited until Laylah slowed her eating before questioning her about last night.
“Laylah, if you don’t mind me asking, why were Gerard and his boys chasing you?”
She put down her fork and stared at her plate. “I don’t know.”
Laylah glanced up at him and that lost look was back again. It ate at Donil and he wanted to comfort her. “Please, take your time and start at the beginning. Maybe we can find clues as to the reason for the chase.” He reached over and touched her tightly clenched hands. Donil stroked her fingers, feeling the tension in her. “You’re safe and we’re here to listen.”
Laylah started speaking, her voice so soft that even though he was directly across from her, he had to strain to hear.
“Jacques didn’t pick me up from school and I had to take a cab home. When I got there, I didn’t see anyone. So I went to the kitchen. Jacques...Jacques was in the pantry.” She breathed harshly and stopped speaking.
“Laylah, I’m here. It’s okay.” Donil increased his gentle stroking of her cold fingers. The horror in her eyes was too much to bear. He had to get her past the memory. “Laylah, walk me through what happened next. What happened to Jacques after you found him?”
“He was bleeding and he had a giant tear over his stomach. His…his intestines were outside his body. Oh God!”
Laylah flinched, yanked her hands from Donil's and covered her eyes. She sobbed and Donil started to stand, but sat back down at his mother’s look.
::Let her get it all out, my son. She needs to do this.::
Donil didn’t like it, seeing Laylah hurt. All his protective instincts were roused and he wanted to slay the demons that haunted her. His mother was wise and knew emotions better than anyone he’d ever met. And though it was killing Donil to sit there and not hold Laylah, he would do it. He watched Laylah take several deep breaths before continuing with her eyes covered. He frowned and listened to the rest of her story.
“I know I was freaking out and I know I started rambling, but Jacques was hurt and I panicked. I didn’t know how to help him. He kept telling me to run, to get out, but it felt wrong to leave him there alone. I tried to close the wound, but he was insistent that I leave. I didn’t listen and he slapped me for not obeying him.”
“Jacques was the one who hit you?” Donil slammed his fist down on the table, angry on her behalf. “How dare he! Maybe I should teach him a lesson in manners!”
Laylah’s head whipped up, her eyes blazing with fury. “You leave him alone! He was trying to protect me! And if you hurt Jacques, I’ll never speak you ever again, Donil!”
He stared at her, stunned by the fire in her eyes. And a little hurt. Didn’t Laylah know he was offering to punish Jacques because of how he felt about her?
“But, Laylah! He put a bruise on your face. He didn’t need to hit you. There are other ways to make a person follow orders.”
“He did the best he could. I was hysterical and acting stupidly. I deserved that slap. Besides, it made me run away and get out the house which is what he wanted in the first place.”
“Yeah, and sent you right into a trap.” Donil snarled. He couldn’t fathom her defense of Jacques. Did she value herself so little that she’d take anything, even physical abuse, from those in her life?
“Jacques would never send me into danger. Father has told me before to never, ever go in the forest. Yet that’s where I went. Jacques didn’t send me there.”
Donil decided to let the issue of Jacques’ behavior go, at least for the time being. “Okay, what happened after you got in the forest?”
“I heard noises and then animal sounds. I started running and fell over a tree root and broke my ankle. I thought I was going to die, but then I heard a voice in my head telling me to get up and run. It kept me moving even though I wanted to give up. That voice got me to the hill and to you, Donil.” She abruptly stopped and blushed as her eyes connected with his.
“That’s some story, my girl, but I’m proud of you for sharing it with us.” Kattcha patted Laylah’s shoulder. “How do you feel now?”
“Better. I thought at first it was all a dream, but you don’t feel pain in a dream and my ankle in a cast proves it did happen. What I don’t get is why me? I have to admit, even though they were scary and trying to kidnap me, watching them shift was magical. I’ve never seen anything like it before. And the way it happened wasn’t even like the description our school textbook has on the subject.”
Donil exchanged glances with his mother. Casually, he touched Laylah’s hand and, when she didn’t pull back, started to again stroke her fingers. He nodded to his mother, letting her know that he had established a mental connection with Laylah. He was tuned into her thoughts. When she answered his mother’s questions, he’d know if she was lying.
“Laylah, my dear, are you positive you don’t know the Weres who chased you?”
“I’m sure, Kattcha. I’m good with faces, but I’ve not seen any of them before.”
::Truth.::
“You’ve never seen a Were shapeshift before?”
“No and it was amazing. Well, all except the bones popping. That was disturbing. Oh, and the whole naked thing when they go from animal to human - that was embarrassing.”
::Truth.::
Kattcha laughed. “Yes, I’m sure it would be a strange sight. Has your father or Jacques ever let you meet a Were before?”
Laylah shook her head. “No way! Father says a lot of Weres don’t like his research and that I had to steer clear of all Weres as a safety precaution.” She sighed.
“What’s wrong, Dear?”
“It’s...well, when I watch or read things about Weres, I feel like I should know what is going on. Like I should understand the whole picture even when I don’t. And sometimes, when I’m alone, I like to pretend that I’m a Were and I try to imagine how different my life would be.”
::Truth.::
Laylah had melted Donil’s heart with her honesty and stroked the fire of his anger at her father. Henry was a cold-hearted bastard to treat his daughter in such a manner.
“Better how, Laylah?”
“Better in that my father wouldn’t hate me, but would love me, be proud of me. My mother would still be alive and for once in my life I’d be happy and not sad!”
::Truth.::
“Why do you think your father hates you?” Kattcha sat down next to her.
“He doesn’t come to the mansion unless he’s tricked into being there. His office is an hour away and he treats it like home. And the few times that I do see him, he’s usually yelling at me and I end up grounded. He says I’m a disappointment and a waste of time.” Laylah whispered as her eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, Laylah. I am so sorry. Come, let me give yo
u a hug. You deserve one, honey.” Kattcha held her arms open and waited.
Donil released Laylah’s hands, watched her struggle with her feelings. She flung herself into his mother’s arms, sobbing quietly into Kattcha’s shirt as his mother rocked the distraught girl back and forth.
::Mother, she doesn’t know! How could her own father make her ignorant of who she really is? It’s inexcusable!::
::I agree. Right now, she needs love, support and understanding. And those we can give her. There is one more question I wish to ask before we have her call home.::
::And that would be?::
::The voice she heard when she was chased in the forest. I know it was you, my son, guiding her to safety. But do you not find it odd that she easily accepts telepathic voices in her head without believing she was crazy? It is a contradiction of everything else she has told us about not knowing much about Weres. We are all telepaths, but she doesn‘t seem to know that or is pretending. Either way we need to find out the truth.::
::Ask, Mother. Laylah will respond truthfully.::
“Laylah, dear, can you answer one last thing for me.”
Laylah lay against Kattcha’s chest, still sniffling, but managed to nod.
“You said “the voice” kept you moving. Whose voice? I thought you were by yourself once you got in the forest?”
“Oh. That.” Laylah pulled back from Kattcha’s arms. “You’ll think I’m crazy, but I’m not. I hear voices in my head because Father employs telepaths. All the staff have the ability. And I know everyone’s mental tones. It is another safety measure that Jacques and Father agreed should be done to protect me. The voice from the forest doesn’t belong to anyone I know.”
“Isn’t that strange, having the whole staff able to read your mind?” Donil was curious as to her reasoning. Laylah was too accepting of the strange things in her life, yet she didn’t even know the truth about herself. Her ignorance had almost gotten her killed by Zina’s minions. Donil didn’t believe for one moment that Gerard planned to keep her alive, had he caught her.
“I don’t question Father’s orders, not if I want to keep what little freedom I do have. Please, I’ve told you everything. I really need to call home now.”