Malek looked at the shrunken corpse of the woman. Strands of pale hair still draped a dark dress, moldy, probably expensive at one time. If this was Shay’s mother, the body should have been burned. Malek turned his attention to the man. He was tall, had good bone structure, but there wasn’t enough skin left to tell if it was him. A gold ring circled his finger, a thin gold band. He slid the ring over the knuckle and shriveled tissue. Something was engraved inside, a name, he hoped, though he wasn’t sure he would trust a name after this trick. He pulled a handkerchief from the pocket of his suit and wiped off the ring. The inscription was in a language he didn’t know. Unusual. He had lived in many places on this planet over the centuries and learned the human race and its languages well, but this he had never seen. The woman’s ring was the same. Were they Shay’s parents? He was almost certain Shay was really Dana, but he had to be sure. If he killed the wrong mother, all would be lost. If Shay was the one, she had to die, but not until she told him where the book was. In the meantime, he had to get her away from Cody MacBain. If they produced a child, it would ruin everything he had planned.
Malek pocketed the rings and ripped a chunk of hair from both rotted scalps. If all else failed, he could check the DNA.
***
Cody alternated between cursing and praying as he looked at the line of cars in front of him. There had been a head-on collision a few miles up the road. Someone had been thrown from the vehicle. Both sides of the road were blocked, with medevac on the way. Scenic Skyline Drive was quickly losing its appeal. He pulled his Texas Chopper motorcycle onto the side of the road. Ignoring the glares of frustrated drivers, he squeezed past the stopped cars. A few miles later, he spotted her, head out the window, chewing her lip as she stared at the traffic. She turned as he pulled up beside her. Her color drained. He killed the engine, got off the bike, and opened her door.
“No,” she said, looking at him as if he held a gun. “You can’t be here.”
“Are you insane?” he asked, climbing in her car. The relief was so great his legs felt like twine. He grabbed her and crushed her to his chest, muffling her reply. “What were you thinking?” He pressed a fierce kiss on her head, until she shoved him away.
“You have to leave. If he sees you, he’ll kill her.”
“Who is he?”
“I don’t know who he is, but he has Renee. He said if I want to see her alive, I have to come to Luray Caverns, alone.”
“So he can get you too,” Cody yelled.
“I won’t let Renee die because of me. You have to leave. Please.”
“I can’t.” He could no more walk away from her than he could harm a child.
Shay whimpered like a trapped animal. Cody reached across the seat and gathered her close again, needing to feel her warmth. “We’ll get him. The others are on the way to Luray. They’re some of the strongest warriors alive. I’d trust any one of them with my life.” Even Jamie, if it came to that.
“But—”
“No. I’m taking you someplace safe.” He looked at the line of traffic. Darkness was falling, which would make things worse. “If I can get around this traffic, we’re going straight to the airport. If the jet isn’t there, we’ll take a commercial flight.”
“I’m not leaving without Renee.”
He knew she wouldn’t budge. He’d have to knock her out to get her on a plane. It was tempting, but he wouldn’t be able to protect her from inside a jail cell. He checked the halted traffic again. “We’re not going anywhere in this mess anyway. Move your car off to that wide spot so cars can get past. We’ll take the bike and find a place to stay. Without everyone there to guard the house, you’re probably safer here.”
Reluctantly, Shay left her car on the side of the road and climbed on the back of Cody’s motorcycle. She hooked her fingers in his belt, the way she had when they were teenagers. They had ridden that way for hours, Shay holding on to him, laughing, as they climbed hills. Why the hell had he let her walk away?
He followed the shoulder of the road, Shay’s hands burning at his waist, until he reached the cabin rentals.
***
The white-haired man ran a gnarled finger down the computer screen. “We’re usually full this time of year, but a couple left today. Woman went into labor early. Good thing she left before the accident, or she might’ve given birth right here. Let’s see… yep, here it is, cabin four, and it’s off to itself, nice and quiet. Must be your lucky day, or night, that is.”
Shay didn’t feel very lucky. She should have already arrived at the caverns. What would Renee’s kidnapper do?
“I talked to Lach, told him we’d stay here, at least until traffic clears. He’ll call as soon as they get to the caverns. Renee might not be there, though. It could be a trap.”
She heard in his voice what he didn’t say. Renee might be dead. Shay remembered the screams and the sickening thuds. Her throat tightened. “I know.”
Using Cody’s flashlight, they found the trail that led to the cabin. It was growing dark, and the temperature was dropping quickly. It was colder on the mountain, reminding her of Scotland. She had blown their plans for leaving. Would the police in Scotland come looking for her?
The cabin was small, but she was glad to see two beds, since she was still leery about the destined-mate stuff. If she was his mate, where was her mark? Did she have to take his word for it? He’d lied about a lot of things, or rather, withheld the truth. Could she trust him on something as important as this? What if he was wrong about the mark? What if he was saying it just because he wanted her to be his mate, like Jamie wanted too?
Cody came out of the bathroom zipping his jeans as she opened the front door. “Where are you going?”
“To sit on the porch. Is that allowed?” she snapped and blew out a frustrated sigh. “I’m sorry, Cody.” Shay took two steps toward him, slid her arms around his waist, and tucked her thumbs under his belt. “I don’t know why you put up with me.” She laid her head on his chest.
He put his arms around her shoulders and rested his chin on her head. “Because you’re family. You’re my
