that they hid your identity from you. That’s a bummer, growing up thinking you’re someone else, not knowing your real family. I’d be angry too, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the short time I’ve known these warriors, it’s that they’re as protective as grizzlies when it comes to family. It’s instilled in them in the womb, this need to protect, to guard, even strangers.” She rubbed her stomach again. “Did they tell you anything about your real parents?”
“Only their names. Edward and Elizabeth Rodgers. I know everyone thought they were doing the right thing, but I can’t help feeling betrayed.”
“Betrayal sucks,” Bree said, a shadow of pain clouding her eyes. “Don’t be too hard on Cody for hiding your identity. He was only doing his job. Did you know he was punished by the Council of Elders for telling you that your past was faked? Even though he didn’t tell you about the clan, he told you your real name, and that opened Pandora’s box.”
“Punished? What did they do to him?”
“I don’t know. I just overheard part of a conversation. The Council of Elders isn’t to be taken lightly. They’re like the supreme court of the clan.”
“I had no idea.” Had he suffered because of her?
“Will they punish him for telling me this time?”
“I don’t know enough about the Council. Only acknowledged warriors can get near them. I hope Cody’s reputation will weigh in his favor. Since the seventeenth century, he and Faelan are the only warriors who’ve been assigned one of the demons of old. Everyone in the clan looks up to them.”
Cody, her Cody, had done this?
“I hope you realize how lucky you are. Most women would kill to have a man look at them like Cody looks at you. He’s in love with you, you know?”
Shay swallowed, feeling panic rising in her throat. In love?
***
“I’d hate for Old Elmer to get caught in this mess,” Cody said to Faelan as the truck bumped along the dirt road leading to the old man’s cabin. There was an easy silence between the warriors. Faelan was the only one who understood the pressures of being assigned an ancient demon. Other than his own clan, most warriors treated him with awe or envy, neither of which he wanted. All he wanted was to do his job so he could keep his mind off Shay. That would never happen; he knew it now. No matter if she was in another country or in the next room, nothing would get her off his mind.
Cody parked his truck, and he and Faelan got out. Old Elmer’s front porch ran the length of the cabin with a railing waist high. A solitary rocker sat by an old table that held a cup and a book. Old Elmer liked to read. He had no TV or electricity. The cabin had only rough plumbing and a woodstove for heat. The interior was little more than three rooms. Cody had only been inside once, a long time ago. He couldn’t remember what it looked like. Both the MacBains and Nina had offered Elmer a job, and when that didn’t work, they tried to install electricity, but he liked things the way they were. He did allow them to give him books or a batch of cookies. In turn, they noticed little repairs miraculously done. A squeaky door greased or loose barn plank nailed, and he had an eerie way of showing up when someone was in trouble, like some kind of guardian angel.
“Looks quiet,” Faelan said as they climbed the steps. A walking stick stood by the door, but Old Elmer had several.
“He’s probably hunting. He takes what he needs to survive with an old bow. If he’s not here, I’ll leave a note on the door.” Cody knocked. No answer. A prickle settled between his shoulder blades. He saw Faelan’s nose to the wind, eyes alert. “We’re being watched,” Cody said quietly.
“Aye,” Faelan said. “I hope it’s an animal.”
Cody searched the trees, sniffing the air. No demon, not in natural form, anyway, but they didn’t know for sure that Shay’s intruder was a demon. “Let’s get out of here.” He felt uneasy being away from Shay. How had he survived nine years without her, when he couldn’t go ten minutes without needing to see her face, even knowing she was angry enough to stab him. Cody left a note on Elmer’s door and started for his truck.
Something white streaked through the trees. Cody and Faelan both whirled, pulling daggers from their boots. They both hit the catches, extending the blades into full swords. The sound of clanging metal echoed off the trees. Something moved off to the left. “I think it was just an owl,” Faelan said.
“There’s one around here.”
“A big white one?”
Cody nodded and retracted his sword blade.
“We have one in New York like that,” Faelan said. His cell phone rang. “It’s Ronan.” Faelan stuck his sword in the ground, leaning on it as he listened. “Bree and Shay? They’re at Cody’s, why? Damnation.” Faelan retracted his blade and motioned Cody toward the truck. “I remember what she did to Conall… you don’t have to remind me.”
“What have they done?” Cody asked, shutting the door.
“Ronan said they aren’t answering the phone.” Faelan hung up and dialed another number. “Where are you? Luray? Where the hell’s Luray?” He scowled. “Text me the address. Aye, I can text. Ronan showed me how. Are you doing this because we missed our honeymoon? I told you I was sorry you had to bail me out of jail, but if you don’t stop disobeying me, I’m going to start carrying handcuffs.”
“Disobeying?” Bree was yelling so loud Cody didn’t need a warrior’s ears to hear. “I can’t believe you said that to me. I’m hanging up.”
“Don’t—” Faelan glared at the phone. “Bloody woman. They’re on their way to someplace called Luray. Shay’s boyfriend has a table Renee sent him, just like the one that was destroyed in her shop. She thinks it could be a clue.”
“Boyfriend? She said she didn’t have a boyfriend.”
“Don’t growl at me. I’m just repeating what I heard. You’re paying for my bloody honeymoon when this is over.”
