Shadowed

Dage piloted the craft low and tight. Two other helicopters flew close, one holding the landing party, which included Talen and Kane.

Dawn was breaking just in time, and light glinted off the lighthouse. Peaceful rocks tumbled from the building to the shore. Nothing moved on the land.

Jase ignored his unease and kept watch through his scope.

The first helicopter landed, and Talen burst onto land to find his son, sweeping wide. Kane protected his back as they ran for the structure. Moments passed. Finally, both men emerged from the damaged door, and Kane sent the negative sign.

Damn it. Where was the kid?

Movement from the ocean a few yards back caught Jase’s eye. He narrowed his scope to focus. Slowly, Garrett’s dark head emerged from the deep. Then his eyes, and his smart-assed grin.

Jase jerked his head, and Conn looked. He tapped a communicator to relay the kid’s location.

Smart. Very smart. Garrett had done exactly what they’d trained him to do.

The kid swam to shore and had barely made it when his father yanked him up for a huge hug. The relief crossing Talen’s broad face made Jase’s shoulders relax. When had Garrett gotten so damn big? He stood as tall as his father.

Kane tugged him away for a hug.

Jase tapped his ear communicator. “Get on the helicopter, and get the hell out of there. We’ll hug at home.”

Dage snorted into the microphone. Conn flashed him a grin. Relief and triumph swirled in his green eyes.

Jase nodded. Yeah, they’d finally won one. He needed to get his arms around the little shit. Thank God Garrett was all right.

The trip home took too long, and Jase began to worry about what Garrett had gone through. Had they tortured him? The helicopters set down at the landing site simultaneously, and he jumped out to find his nephew.

Then he had to step back as Cara Kayrs ran past him, full-bore for her son.

Garrett caught her, laughing, getting her sweatshirt wet. “Mom, I’m fine.”

Cara laughed and cried at the same time, patting his arms, his back, checking him out. “Are you hurt? Did they hurt you?”

Garrett shook his head, looking down over a foot at his mother. “No, honest. I’m fine but hungry. Man, I’m hungry.” He glanced up as Janie sprinted into view, and fire leapt into his eyes.

Jase paused. Sometimes he forgot about the predator beneath the kid’s good humor. Garrett was every inch his father’s son.

But he loved his sister, and he caught her when she launched herself at him. He closed his eyes, hugging her tight. Then he whispered something in her ear.

Janie stiffened, and then relaxed, hugging him. She whispered something back, and even Jase could hear Garrett’s low growl as he set her down.

Enough. Jase moved forward.

Garrett caught his eye and grabbed him in a wet hug. A salty, wet hug. “I was worried about you,” Garrett said.

Jase smacked him on the back and levered away. “Worried about me?”

“Yeah. I was scared you’d be reliving everything because of me. I’m so sorry.” Garrett’s odd gray eyes sobered.

Jesus. Something in Jase’s chest thumped. Family. They killed you every time. “I’m fine. I was seriously worried about you.”

Garrett shrugged. “I’m good. No torture, and I escaped, but I didn’t get to kill anybody.” He frowned.

Good. Jase wasn’t ready for Garrett’s first kill.

Dage clapped an arm around his nephew’s back. “Good job with waiting in the ocean. Let’s go debrief you.”

“Hell no.” Cara yanked her son’s arm. “He gets checked out by the doctors, then he gets food, then he can be interviewed, and then we’re having a welcome-home celebration.”

The king wavered and looked like he wanted to argue, but even he wouldn’t mess with an angry mother. Finally, Dage nodded. “Of course.”

Garrett allowed his mother to lead him away, yet turned and gave his sister a look. Man, what Jase wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall for that conversation. Apparently Garrett had been informed that his sister tried to sacrifice herself for him.

Family.

Janie Belle Kayrs sat on the bar, swinging her foot back and forth in the small game room, a beer in her hand. Her younger brother paced by the pool table after having been checked out by doctors and given a pizza.

They had the room to themselves, since their mother was currently setting up a party for Garrett in the large game room.

“You might as well let it out,” Janie said.

Garrett turned, fire flashing in his eyes. In that moment, he looked exactly like their father, and Janie couldn’t help smiling.

“I am so pissed at you,” Garrett growled.

She wanted to tell him not to swear, but since he was technically an adult, and he’d been captured by evil, the time had passed to try and raise him. But she was still his older sister, and he needed to remember that. “So?”

He stilled, pivoting to face her. “So? Did you just say so?”

“Of course you’re angry. But you did what you had to do, and I understand that.” She adored her younger brother and hated to know she’d worried him. But if she’d had a chance to save him, how could she not?

Red climbed into his face. “You will never try to sacrifice yourself for me again. Got that?” His voice shook.

If she didn’t know him, he’d probably look scary. Really scary. But she’d burped him as a baby, and he didn’t get to try vampire intimidation tactics on her. “Don’t go getting all Kayrs-male on me, asshat. I understand you’re upset, but you don’t need to yell at me.”

Aqua flashed through the metallic gray of his eyes. Man, he was getting pissed. He leaned back against the pool table, his hands denting the wood. “I am a vampire. Although you’re crazy, you’re still a human. I don’t die. You do. So, I protect you.” He spoke slowly and through clenched teeth.

Janie’s temper began to stir. “I’m five years older than you, and I’m a psychic.”

“So?” He lifted a Kayrs eyebrow.

Pride filled her at how tough and strong he’d become. “The Kurjans want me alive. They’re fine with you dead. So trading myself for you was a smart, tactical move.”

“Did you let the Kurjan butcher take your blood?”

The words caught her off guard, as no doubt they were meant to. She inhaled quickly, forcing herself to meet her brother’s furious gaze. “Not exactly.”

“Explain.”

“Don’t be getting all bossy with me.” Damn it. She hadn’t wanted anybody to know.

“Janie—”

“Fine. No, I didn’t let Kalin drink me. But, in a dreamworld, one time he did bite me. So yes, he has my blood, and I can’t keep him out of the dreamworlds any longer.” Her face heated.

Garrett’s eyes narrowed. “How did he get close enough to bite?”

She smoothed her face into surprise and shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“If you lie to me again, I’m telling Dad.”

Damn it. She cleared her throat. “I bit him first.”

Shock widened Garrett’s eyes. “You what?”