It is October in Arcadia and shape shifter Talia Coe is now the proud mother of twins, Mahra and Aaron. As Talia and her mate Lucas Knight plan their November wedding and try to adjust to parenthood, Talia is again plagued by nightmares of doom and disaster. Their archenemy, Abby Stewart, is still at large and they know it will only be a matter of time before she returns to exact her revenge.
Victor Kane and his lover Caroline Thomas are struggling to maintain their rocky relationship in spite of their feelings for other people. Victor has finally acknowledged his love for his former mate, Lilah, who is Talia’s mother. Lilah struggles with the hard truth that she loves her husband, Caleb Sinclair, but is in love with Victor. Caroline is still seeing Neil Wade, who became her lover when Victor was on the run from murder charges. However, Caroline feels she has too much to lose if she leaves Victor, since she is now a partner in his prosperous art gallery and they have a son together. Ben Walker, a shifter hunter who has joined forces with Lucas’s pack, has settled into a comfortable life in Arcadia, working for Victor and Caroline at the art gallery. He’s also become smitten with the new DA, Lana Russell. Little does he know that beneath the surface, the cool, blond beauty is not what she seems.
When Lucas is almost killed by a hit and run driver it looks as though Abby Stewart, out to destroy Lucas, Talia, Victor, Caroline, Neil, Caleb and Lilah, has begun her campaign of vengeance. But she isn’t in it alone and after someone close to Talia is killed and another is critically injured, it becomes clear that others have joined in the vendetta. As evil forces hover over Arcadia and the final battle looms, unseen enemies reveal themselves, loyalties are tested and lives are lost. Who will survive?
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Dead of Night
Copyright © 2011 Carol A. Guy
ISBN: 978-1-55487-856-7
Cover art by Martine Jardin
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
Published by Devine Destinies
An imprint of eXtasy Books
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Smashwords Edition
Dead of Night
Final book in the Canid Series
By
Carol A. Guy
Dedicated to Andrea and Paul
Chapter One
Talia Coe knew this must be a dream. But if that was the case why was the pain so real? She felt as though her legs had been shredded to the bone. All around her trees fell. The ground shook as great holes opened up swallowing everything in sight. Hideous monsters emerged from the holes, flying in the air as she tried to crawl to safety. Red swirled around her. Blood! She heard loud cracking noises as something whizzed by her head. Gunshots? How could this be? Why was this happening? She felt so tired all of a sudden. Struggling was just too much trouble. Her strength was draining away. Maybe if she closed her eyes for a few moments things would improve. In the distance she heard the wailing of a siren. Help was coming, but too late…
“I’ll go,” Lucas said from beside her.
Talia jerked awake, gasping for air. “Don’t shoot! Help me!” Her cries pierced the air. She sat up, frantically looking around. She wasn’t running from monsters, she was safe in the bed she shared with her mate, Lucas Knight. The wailing she’d thought was a siren was in fact the cry of her newborn daughter, Mahra. Strange how she knew one baby’s cry from the other. Within seconds, Aaron, Mahra’s twin brother joined in. The solo was now an ear-piercing duet.
“I guess we’ll both go.” Lucas turned on the bedside lamp, his long narrow face framed by a mass of black hair worn just short of shoulder length. His brown eyes, flecked with gold, shone with bemusement. His most distinguishing feature though, as far as she was concerned, was his neatly trimmed goatee. It gave him an air of mystery. He’d mentioned shaving it off a while back, just to see how he’d look. She nixed the idea, hoping he never brought it up again.
Talia got out of bed, trying to vanquish the awful dream from her mind. Of course it would be easier if this wasn’t the fourth time she’d had the same exact dream in the past month.
“Another nightmare?” Lucas walked beside her down the hallway of their stone cottage to the twins’ nursery, which had once been a storage area next to her art studio.
“The same nightmare.” She saw the worry flicker in his eyes. “Probably just some post-partum thing or another. Let’s not dwell on it.”
“Then let’s talk about getting another place to live. We’re bursting at the seams here, Talia.”
“We can build on. We’ll use the same contractor who did the antique shop expansion.” Talia didn’t want to have this debate again. She loved this cottage.
“You’ve really got your heart set on staying here, don’t you?”
“You know I do. Are we finally finished with this discussion?”
“Anything for the mother of my children,” Lucas relented with a smile.
“They will love growing up here. It’s perfect.”
“So are they,” Lucas added.
The twins had been born on October 1, just a little over two weeks ago. Mahra, the oldest by five minutes had a sweet disposition, at least so far. Aaron, on the other hand, was constantly in motion, always making noise. Right now he was crying loudly, while his sister simply cooed and sucked at her toes in the crib across the room.
Talia went to Aaron, while Lucas picked up Mahra.
“She’s wet,” he commented. “Come on, little princess, let’s get you dried off.” The baby made sucking noises as Lucas laid her on one of the two changing tables in the cheerfully decorated room.
Aaron fidgeted as Talia picked him up, cuddling him. His reddish-gold hair, so much like her own, stuck up at odd angles all over his head. His dark brown eyes looked up at her myopically with a newborn’s unfocused stare. She put him on the other changing table and felt his diaper. “You’re not even wet, so what’s the problem?”
“I think she cried just to wake him up,” Lucas said.
Aaron wiggled around as he gnawed toothlessly on his fist. Then she saw it. A tuft of rough black fur sprouting from the big toe on his right foot. “Oh, God, Lucas, he’s trying to shift!”
Lucas spun around, placing one hand on Mahra as though afraid she might roll off the table. “Don’t panic.”
“Take a look for yourself, then tell me not to panic. It figures he’d be the first.”
“I hope you’re not slamming us males,” Lucas said. He picked Mahra up and brought her across the room, handing her to Talia. He examined Aaron’s foot then lifted him from the table, holding him up in the air. “So, what’s the deal, future alpha, huh? Are you trying to assert your dominance already?” He put the baby back into his crib. “It’s nothing to worry about. At this tender age it’s an involuntary thing. It might not happen again for months.”
Talia rolled her eyes. “Oh, what a comfort.” She quickly changed Mahra’s diaper then put her back in her crib. “I think it’s time for their bottles.”
Lucas headed for the door. “I’ll heat them up. While we feed them we can talk about your nightmare.”
Ten minutes later Talia and Lucas were sitting in matching rocking chairs in the nursery. She fed Aaron while Lucas fed Mahra. They’d worked out a pretty good schedule since the twins’ births. They’d even managed to reconcile their relationship in the months following those awful events in February.
“Okay, let’s hear more about the nightmare,” Lucas prompted.
“It’s basically the same one I keep having. I’m in the woods, there’s a storm or something, and my legs are almost torn off. Then monsters come out of holes at me. Finally, I hear gunshots and bullets are whizzing over my head.”
“Sounds like overkill to me.”
Talia huffed. “Don’t make fun! You know my dreams always have some significance.”
“This one has been going on for months, but you’re still safe and sound, Talia.”
“So far.”
“Don’t borrow trouble. Things are finally settling down for us. Let’s just enjoy our good fortune.”
He was right. Her April art exhibit in New York had gone very well. The critics had loved her work, although she hadn’t sold as many paintings as she’d hoped. However, the gallery owner was enthused, insisting she leave some pieces there. He’d already registered her for next year’s show.
Abby and Nick were still at large. Talia had to agree with Lucas and her father, Victor, that they probably hadn’t heard the last of those two. It’s what made Talia so nervous about these most recent dreams. Were they an omen of dangerous times ahead?
“Are you asleep over there?” Lucas asked. He was rocking Mahra slowly as she sucked contentedly on the bottle.
Aaron was asleep, having taken only half of his bottle. When she jostled him awake he began to suck voraciously. “I was just thinking about what has happened in the past few months.”
“I hope you’re not dwelling on the bad things,” Lucas told her.
His fall from grace rarely came up in conversation anymore. Talia’s hatred for that murderous, conniving bitch Abby Stewart still burned like a hot coal in her stomach. She’d seduced Lucas after morphing into Talia’s image, almost ruining their relationship. Then there was Abby’s wretched twin brother, Nick, who Talia really hoped was dead by now from the injuries he sustained during their last battle.
“I’m trying to count my blessings, Lucas. We have these two beautiful babies. My mother is back in my life. I’m gaining notoriety as an artist. Your antique shop is a big success.”
It was true. In February, her mother Lilah, who she thought was dead, came back into her life in a very dramatic way. Although Talia had found it hard to forgive Lilah for leaving her all those years ago, she understood the reason. They had worked very hard to reestablish a bond over the past few months. Things still weren’t ideal, but they were making progress.
Re-energized as an artist since the New York art show, her work was improving day by day. She felt like she was really coming into her own. Of course it was a delicate balancing act now with the twins in their lives, but Lilah came by daily to help out, giving Talia the time she needed to work. Lucas had even done his part by putting several of her paintings in the antique shop.
The expansion of Knight’s Antiques was complete and Lucas was drawing more customers than ever. She loved the way he’d made a success of his business. She really liked his new assistant, Dean Haywood, who she was sure wasn’t Abby Stewart morphed into some other human form this time. Only females were trimorphs and could only change into other female forms!
“By the way, I brought home some more cookies. I wasn’t sure if you noticed them on the counter,” Lucas said, breaking into her thoughts.
Talia groaned inwardly. The owner of the newest business in town, a bookstore called Page Turner, was Miriam Hayes, a sweet retired teacher from Williamsport. She reminded Talia of a cherub-faced grandmother. Plus, she baked the best cookies in the world. In fact Talia had told her recently she really should open a bakery. “I saw them, Lucas, but I’m resisting. I still have a pound or two to lose after popping out these two. Take the cookies back to the shop so the customers can enjoy them. I need to be able to fit into my wedding dress next month.” Aaron sighed as she cuddled him close to her breast.
“Your figure looks just fine to me. But maybe I should, you know, reevaluate it. So let’s put our offspring back in their cribs so we can go back to bed ourselves. We have a whole hour until the alarm goes off.” He grinned at her then ran his tongue over his lips suggestively. “I know the doctor said no real sex yet, but I’m a very inventive guy, in case you’ve forgotten.”
Longing stirred inside Talia as she looked at the man who in two weeks would become her husband. “Really? I seem to be having a memory lapse. I guess you’ll just have to prove it to me all over again.” She got up and put Aaron in his crib while Lucas did the same with Mahra.
Chapter Two
Victor Kane entered his art gallery at a little after seven-thirty. He’d left Caroline sleeping soundly in their bed. Alex, their son, had also been snoozing contentedly in the next room. As had been the case lately, Victor had tossed and turned most of the night, plagued by nightmares alternating with thoughts of his former wife, Lilah.
Finding out in February that she was alive had been one of the greatest shocks of his life. They’d mated as wolves long ago, living together as man and wife in the human world, until she’d been ripped away during one of the most vicious canine battles ever. Two wolf packs competing for dominance had brought about tragedy, resulting in the scattering of their members in an effort to survive. The tall stately Caleb Sinclair, who she eventually married, had saved Lilah from death. Thoughts of the two of them together stirred within Victor feelings of extreme jealousy. However, along with those stomach-clenching sensations was a desire for Lilah that would not go away.
What about Caroline? She’s your fiancée as well as your business partner. You still love her, deep down. She still ignites a fire inside of you. Don’t deny it. Is it possible to love two women at the same time?
It was a mind numbing question that had kept Victor awake many nights since February when he’d come face to face with his past. He shared a heritage with Lilah. Caroline, on the other hand, was not a shifter, although she’d done a good job of fitting into their world. The way she handled Alex when he chose to shift was amazing. Of course it hadn’t always been so. When Caroline first found out what he, Lucas and Talia were, she’d freaked out, going immediately into denial.
Now’s a different story though, isn’t it? I wish I could take all the credit for it, but I know deep down her attachment to Neil Wade has a lot to do with her acceptance of our kind. Poor Caroline, she must be wondering how she got involved with two shifters.
Then there’s Talia. My daughter, Lilah’s daughter. She’s just now beginning to welcome Lilah into her life. She likes Sinclair. She’s also put all of her earlier animosity toward Caroline behind her. What would it do to her stability if things suddenly changed again? I also have to consider Aaron and Mahra. God, I’m a grandfather! I can’t just think of myself now. But I know Lilah has feelings for me. I can sense it every time I’m near her. The electricity between us is almost palpable. Sinclair must sense it too. I know Caroline does. Oh, she doesn’t say anything, but I can tell by the look on her face she’s aware of our feelings for one another. Then again, who is she to talk? She’s still got the hots for Wade. Sometimes I think if it wasn’t for little Alex, Caroline and I would have parted company by now. Maybe she’s thinking the same thing. It could be why she hasn’t set a wedding date.
Victor shook himself out of his reverie and took a quick walk around the gallery, straightening pictures then rearranging a few easels holding Talia’s latest works. The bank of windows along one side of the building let in much needed light. The dropped ceiling complete with track lighting showcased the artwork beautifully.
He padded silently across rose-colored carpet to the opposite corner where a loveseat and two armchairs surrounded a low lacewood coffee table. He bent over straightening the pile of brochures on the table. Once he was finished, he retraced his steps into the alcove leading to the offices.
Ben Walker, their assistant, wouldn’t be in for another hour, so he’d have some quiet time at least. Now that Caroline was a full partner in the Kane Art Gallery, they shared this office space, although Victor seldom used it. Instead he was usually on the road, attending art shows around the state. As a result their inventory had increased greatly. The smaller office, which had once been Caroline’s, now belonged to Ben, who was in charge of all things having to do with inventory tracking.
Victor unlocked the office door and stepped inside. It still gave him a little jolt when he saw the changes Caroline had made here. Gone was his large wooden desk and high back swivel chair, along with most of the other furniture he’d purchased through the years. On his right sat a large oval glass top desk with slender chrome legs. When he’d mentioned keeping his old desk also, she’d nixed the idea, stating there was no need for two desks in the office. “I’m here the most. You’re supposed to be out finding new artwork to display.” He saw the wisdom in her argument, but he still missed his desk. He snorted with disdain as he eyed the odd-looking ergonomic desk chair. A computer workstation sat across the room against a mirrored wall. The window next to the workstation had no curtains as before, but now sported mini blinds. In the far corner where a drink cart once sat was a complete wet bar. A leather loveseat sat along the wall to his left with a low-slung glass top coffee table in front of it. The whole atmosphere lacked warmth in his opinion.
Victor especially hated the mirrored wall. Or rather he hated having to look at himself every time he came into the office. Caroline insisted it made the room look bigger. Whatever.
He stood for a moment staring across the room at his reflection. What he saw was a tall thin man with dark hair, graying at the temples. His brown eyes were set into a face just beginning to show some lines around his full lips and between his eyebrows. The restless nights were beginning to catch up with him, though. He was almost forty-three years old. Time eventually took away not only youthful looks, but energy and enthusiasm.
He’d dressed casually today, in jeans and a short sleeve sport shirt, since he had no plans to look for artwork. Instead he would be going over the bills as well as other paperwork while Caroline stayed home with Alex because the nanny was sick. Victor thought about the first time he’d met the previous nanny, Claire Fontaine, who it turned out was really Lilah. Like Talia, Lilah was a trimorph, which was an inherited trait. His stomach clenched every time he recalled the pull between him and Lilah even while she was still keeping up the facade of being Claire. After the truth came out in February, he’d seen no reason why Lilah couldn’t continue to watch Alex. Caroline, of course, had pitched a fit stating she didn’t want “that woman” anywhere near her son. In truth, Victor knew it was more like Caroline didn’t want Lilah and him to have any further contact.
He’d offered to stay home today, but Caroline had insisted he come to the office. “I don’t spend enough time with Alex as it is. This will be perfect. I’ve wanted to visit the bookstore for some children’s books.”
Deep down, Victor wondered if it would be the only visit Caroline made today. After all Neil Wade, who was Caleb Sinclair’s son, was still living across the courtyard from them at Arcadian Ridge. This time he seemed to be actually writing a novel, unlike before when he’d used a ruse to get close to Caroline.
We’re just like one big happy family, aren’t we? Okay, bygones. We’re all in this together now—me, Lucas, Caleb, Lilah, Talia and Neil. Strange bedfellows, but necessary allies against the others who would destroy us. If only we knew who all those players are. Where is Abby Stewart? Is her brother still alive? They came to Arcadia last November for a reason, but weren’t able to complete their mission. There’s an alpha male in the mix somewhere, but it isn’t Nick Stewart. The Stewarts were just the tip of the iceberg. There are more gathering for a final showdown, I can sense it.
* * * *
Caroline Thomas stepped out of the shower in the condo she shared with Victor. She listened intently for any sounds from the nursery down the hall. Little Alex was supposed to be napping, but with him, you never knew. He was quite a handful. Grabbing a fluffy white towel from the nearby rack, she wrapped it around her body. Stepping to the large bank of mirrors above the marble sink, she appraised her appearance. Her short dark hair rested in ringlets around her face. This morning her usually vibrant blue eyes seemed a little bloodshot, probably from lack of sleep. Victor’s restlessness had kept her awake half the night. She knew the reason. Lilah. She’d been his mate as a wolf, his wife as a human. Now she was back in his life.
That’s not quite true though, is it? She’s not just back in his life, she’s in all of our lives this time. She has an advantage I don’t, she’s the one he chose first. She’s also a shifter. I’m just a mere human, so how can I compete with her?
“Oh, stop the pity party!” she chided her reflection. “You’re not the wide-eyed innocent in this mess.”
Neil. She thought about him far too often for a woman engaged to another man. Even though they had tried over the past few months to limit their contact, she found herself inventing reasons to be around him. He was so close yet so far away. Something had to give soon.
She blow-dried her hair, which fell into place like magic thanks to the skill of her hairdresser. After applying minimum makeup she went across the hall to the master bedroom. Since she wasn’t going to the gallery today she put on a pair of blue jeans and a snug fitting red knit top. She was petite in stature but full busted with a well-rounded figure. Neil often commented on how sexy this top made her look. Victor always salivated a little when she wore it. She slipped on a pair of Nikes over her athletic socks. Once she was dressed, she went to check on Alex. The crib was empty. A low growl came from one corner. She closed the door. Walking slowly toward the sound, she saw him behind the wooden rocking chair. His ears were back, his dark eyes glistening alertly. In wolf form, Alex’s thick fur was multi-colored with a gray undercoat. He was now a yearling standing about fifteen inches tall. His snout was lengthening and his dark eyes had an amber undertone. He was no longer the adorable little cub she’d once cuddled. He was big enough now, as a wolf, to be a problem for anyone who didn’t know how to handle him. He growled again, edging toward her on his belly.
“Oh, such a hunter. Aren’t you scary,” she said, suppressing a smile. She snapped her fingers sharply once, twice, three times. Over the next thirty seconds, the wolf transformed into her son again. It looked like a painful process to her, but Victor had assured her it wasn’t so bad. She suspected he was just trying to calm her fears.
Scooping her son up, she took him to the crib, put a fresh diaper on him then redressed him as quickly as possible.
Over the past months Victor had worked with the boy and the wolf. The snapping of the fingers three times was what he called a trigger. He’d trained the wolf to recognize it as a signal to transform himself back into a human. He’d also cautioned Caroline about touching Alex when he was in wolf form. She’d only ignored his warning once and had a nice little scar on her right forearm as a reminder. “If the finger snapping doesn’t work, back away, get to safety then call me,” Victor had instructed.
Being the human mother of a shifter wasn’t easy.
She carried Alex downstairs into the newly remodeled kitchen, equipped with the latest gadgets and appliances. Putting him in his high chair, she turned on the small color TV on the counter. Victor had brewed coffee, so she poured herself a mug full. She got Alex a cup of apple juice, putting it on the tray in front of him. He sipped it then grinned up at her, a dribble of liquid rolling down his chin. Teething again. He was drooling constantly these days. Also, he was starting to walk. She’d already baby-proofed the condo when he began crawling, so she felt confident there was no way he could seriously hurt himself. The stairs had a baby gate at both ends and all the exposed electrical outlets were covered. The nanny, Ruth Fletcher, was very vigilant about Alex’s safety.
While Caroline would not allow Lilah a.k.a. Claire Fontaine to continue as Alex’s nanny, she hired Ruth Fletcher, a woman highly recommended by Caleb Sinclair, for two reasons. First, the woman was a shifter, which made her more qualified to care for Alex. Secondly, Alex had taken to her immediately. Ruth said it was because she looked like the grandmotherly type. Caroline had to agree. The woman was gray haired with kind eyes and a cherubic face.
Suddenly, as Caroline was getting a carton of eggs from the refrigerator, the newscast on the television caught her attention.
“…as former District Attorney, Deacon Hunt goes on trial for the brutal February murder of Assistant District Attorney Brianna Hadley. Jury selection could take days, as we’ve seen before. This is going to be a high profile case, with both sides gearing up for a hard-fought battle. Hunt’s defense attorney, Karl Vorek, is quoted as saying the police botched the investigation from the beginning…”
Caroline watched as a brief snippet of tape showed a white haired sinewy man, with a long narrow nose, speaking in a smooth cultured voice.
“Deacon Hunt has served this town and the county for almost a decade as its district attorney. He is innocent of these heinous charges, which we intend to prove. The prosecutor’s office has, at best, a weak case with no concrete evidence of my client’s guilt. The police department has tried to cover its own incompetence by railroading Mr. Hunt simply because he had a relationship with the deceased. This is not proof of murder. Perhaps bad judgment on my client’s part, but not murder.”
The news anchor, a tall redhead with a slightly southern accent, came back on camera.
“On the other side, newly appointed District Attorney Lana Russell seems to think the State will more than prove its case…”
Another tape rolled showing an athletic looking blonde wearing a silk suit that looked like it had been custom made for her began talking.
“We have more than enough proof to convict Deacon Hunt of Ms. Hadley’s murder. The police ran an extensive, by-the-book investigation, which netted the desired results…the arrest of a killer.”
Caroline noted that while the news anchor tried to look serious, she seemed to be suppressing a smile when she came back on the air.
“Deacon Hunt remains in jail, where he has been since his arraignment in July. Bail was denied and his attorney’s repeated attempts to reverse the decision have failed.
“Brianna Hadley was found shot to death in her home on Carver Avenue in February. During the months-long investigation, the police tracked down many leads, but according to Detective Paul Muncie several vital pieces of evidence led them to then District Attorney Deacon Hunt. The arrest was made on July fifth. Deacon Hunt’s attorney, Karl Vorek, is a well-known defense attorney from Kinnard with an impressive record of victories, noted for his aggressive courtroom tactics. Lana Russell, on the other hand, is a relative newcomer, causing many observers to wonder if she will be able to hold her own against the more seasoned Vorek. I guess we’ll see as this sensational murder trial begins right here in Arcadia.”
Caroline turned off the TV and shook her head. Deep down, she had a pang of satisfaction as she thought about Deacon Hunt rotting in a jail cell. After all, that’s what he’d tried to do to Victor—put him in prison permanently for the murder of the creepy little reporter, Craig Lynch. Memories of Victor’s trial and the way Hunt had pranced around the courtroom with a self-satisfied look on his face came rushing back. Well, she, Lucas and Talia had soon wiped the smirk off his face, hadn’t they?
Alex threw his empty cup on the floor, jarring Caroline back to the present. She started then saw the grin on his face. She had to smile at herself. “Okay, okay. I get the message.” She put a jar of junior baby food in the microwave and set the timer.
Chapter Three
It was a beautiful fall day, so Talia decided to put the twins in the double stroller and take them on their first outing. She’d heard a lot about not bundling babies up too much even in cool weather, so she put knit sleepers on them then covered them with lightweight blankets. Putting a couple of bottles of formula in a large plaid diaper bag along with a change of clothes and some diapers, she placed it in the basket behind the plush cushioned seats, which were reclined all the way back since the twins were too young to sit up. Mahra was drowsy but Aaron was wide-awake, eager to experience something new.
Leaving the cottage, she pushed the stroller down the lane leading to the nearby estate. There was a slight breeze. The air smelled of fallen leaves and pine needles. “Now, listen up you two, this is your first trip to Grandma’s house, so behave. No shifting either. There are workmen there who might not understand.”
Her mother and Caleb had purchased the estate once occupied by the Stewarts. “I want to be close to you. We have so much time to make up for,” Lilah had told her one evening when the two of them went out to dinner.
Usually Lilah came to the cottage at some point each day to help out with the twins, which gave Talia a much needed break and a chance to paint. Today Talia had decided to pay a surprise visit to her mother instead. Besides, she wanted to see how the renovation of the estate was coming along.
Rounding the curve, she pushed the stroller up over the slight rise that partially hid the Tudor style house from view. “Wow,” she said as she stopped to take in the vista below. The fountain, in such disrepair when the Stewarts lived there, was now gleaming brightly in the morning sunlight. Spires of glistening water shot into the air cascading down over several marble cherubs surrounding a large shell shaped bowl. Strategically placed terra cotta pots brimming with yellow, orange and russet mums sat around the front of the house. “Beautiful! Look how colorful it is.” She bent over, checking the twins. Both were sleeping soundly. “Okay, maybe when you’re older.”
She continued down the walkway to the circular driveway toward the front door, which was made of rich, deep-grained oak with an exquisite looking beveled glass inset. She rang the bell and waited. The twins slept on.
Lilah answered the door, smiling widely. Again, Talia was aware of her mother’s beauty. Today her dark auburn hair was tied back loosely at the nape of her neck. She wore a soft looking sweater and matching slacks of pale green that brought out the emerald flecks in her amber eyes. To say she was striking was a gross understatement.
Lilah motioned them inside. “I’m thrilled! I was just getting ready to call you. I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to come over this morning or wait until afternoon.” She closed the front door.
Talia gazed around the spacious foyer. They’d replaced the wooden floor with gray slagged marble. Straight ahead the wide ornately carved stairway leading to the second floor had obviously been refinished to a warm mahogany glow. “It’s breathtaking,” Talia told her mother.
Also downstairs was a living room, library, dining room, bathroom and kitchen. The living room renovations had been simply a matter of refinishing the floor and repapering the walls. The same was true of the dining room as well as the library. The kitchen, which needed extensive work, was another matter.
Lilah pushed the stroller into a room on the left. “Let’s talk in the living room. They’re working in the kitchen today. It’s going to get noisy.”
Upon entering the room, Talia was immediately struck by the elegance surrounding her. What had made her think the Stewarts intended to refurbish this beautiful old home was beyond her. The tacky furniture they’d assembled couldn’t compare with what Lilah and Caleb had selected. Many of the antique pieces she now saw had come from Lucas’s shop, as a matter of fact. Caleb had been a steady customer for some time now.
Lilah situated the stroller near a striped Victorian loveseat and sat down. Talia took the blankets off the twins. “Aaron tried shifting this morning,” she told her mother. She sat next to her on the loveseat.
“To be expected. It’s involuntary at this age.” Lilah caressed Mahra’s cheek. The baby worked her tiny mouth, flailing out an arm before settling back into blissful slumber.
“So Lucas said, but it didn’t put my mind at ease. I just don’t want them to be exposed to any danger.”
“Are you still concerned about the Stewarts?”
“Them and others.”
“You’re really that uneasy?” Lilah’s eyes showed her concern.
“Lucas is. He says there’s something wrong. Nothing he can put his finger on, but he’s edgy.”
Lilah laid a well-manicured hand on Talia’s arm. “Danger is always around us Talia, because of what we are. We’re doing all we can to protect ourselves.”
“Are we?” Talia felt her stomach turn at the thought of Abby Stewart and what the bitch had already done to her and Lucas.
“We can hire security if it will make you feel better. Caleb has the resources to protect all of you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.”
Before Talia could respond, Aaron cried out, kicking his legs spasmodically. He jammed his fist in his mouth, sucking loudly.
“Hungry again? See what I mean? He wants to eat, falls asleep halfway through his bottle, then he’s hungry two hours later!”
In contrast, Mahra was sleeping peacefully, a slight smile on her round little face.
Lilah picked up the fussy infant, cuddling him close to her. “He’s a typical alpha male—demanding, forceful and very vocal about what he wants.”
Talia smiled in spite of herself. “He’s going to be spoiled to boot, if you keep doing that.”
Lilah feigned surprise. “Would you rather I let him cry?”
Talia raised an eyebrow. “Yes.”
“Liar,” Lilah responded with a grin. By now Aaron was sleeping again, his little face nuzzled into the hollow of his grandmother’s throat. “See, he just needed a little comfort. You must remember I am an experienced nanny.”
Talia chuckled. “I think that was Claire Fontaine.”
“My alter ego.”
Talia felt her spirits lift a little. She could now talk with Lilah about those turbulent times in February without resentment rearing its ugly head.
“I miss little Alex you know?” Lilah finally said. She returned Aaron to the stroller.
Talia felt sorry for her mother but Caroline had made it clear she didn’t want Lilah near her son. “He’s growing so fast. Victor has devised a way to make him shift back from wolf form on command.”
“Yes, I know, Victor told—” She looked down at her hands.
Talia sighed. “Caleb is a good man, Mother. He loves you so very much.”
“I’ll always have a strong connection with Victor because of you.”
“Are you sure that’s all there is to it?”
Lilah looked somewhat stricken. “There can’t be more, Talia, for all our sakes.”
* * * *
Victor spent an hour of uninterrupted time in the office going over some paperwork and setting his schedule for the next week. Of course everything was on the computer now, at Caroline’s insistence. Ben had worked out a slick system of inventory control. Caroline had then set up all the financial records on the infernal contraption. He hated it. While he saw the advantages of keeping inventory records online, Victor much preferred the old-fashioned way of keeping track of his schedule, in a leather-bound organizer, which he carried with him to all appointments. There was a section for notes, which he used during meetings. Hard drives crashed, the organizer always retained its information.
After he finished going over everything of interest, he signed out of the system. When he got up his lower back had a hitch in it. He rubbed at the muscles, eyeing the black leather chair he’d just vacated, which was a near twin to the one behind the desk. “Ergonomic my ass. If I spent all day sitting in either one of you monstrosities, I’d be in traction,” he grumbled.
It was past time for the gallery to open. He should be out in the showroom to meet customers who came in, but this morning he had another pressing matter. Leaving his office, he locked the door behind him, and walked down the hall. Ben was sitting at the computer in the other office, pecking away at the keyboard. “Any inventory coming in this morning? We still haven’t received those four paintings from Ryan Lockwood in Williamsport.”
Ben Walker stopped typing, spun his chair around then seemed to unfold his rangy body upward into a standing position. “Just got an e mail from the fellow. He sent them yesterday.” His demeanor was relaxed, which irritated Victor.
So now Lockwood is corresponding with Ben, the stock boy turned computer guru, instead of me or Caroline.
As though reading Victor’s thoughts, Ben said, “He copied me on a note he sent Caroline.”
“Right. Well, I’m stepping out for a while. Listen for the bell. Don’t let a patron stand out there too long alone.” Although Ben had proven his loyalty during the February fiasco, Victor still couldn’t quite forgive the man for representing himself under false pretenses in the beginning. “So, tell me, Ben, you all finished hunting werewolves? I thought you guys went from one place to the other, always looking for the next big infestation.”
Ben favored Victor with a slow smile. His voice took on a slight Texas drawl as he replied. “You trying to get rid of me, boss man?”
Victor hated the phrase but tried not to let it show. “Caroline would have my nuts in a vise if I did.”
Ben ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. Amusement seemed to twinkle in those wide set eyes. “So what’s really on your mind, Victor?”
Ben rarely called Victor by his first name, either referring to him as boss man or the boss. Victor felt his stomach knot up as he tried to decide how to get information out of the man without alerting him to the reason he wanted the information. “Are you still in touch with all your buddies who belong to that group?”
Ben’s smile disappeared. “The NWRP?”
“Whatever.” Victor was beginning to regret this conversation. Ben was looking keenly interested now. He knew full well Ben had founded the National Werewolf Research Project years ago when he was a college student looking for proof of shifters’ existence. It’s what had brought him to Arcadia, and ultimately leading him to become instrumental in saving their asses during the horrible February battle.
“We keep in touch on the Internet now and then, but I’ve sort of settled down here in Arcadia, as you’ve noticed. What’s going on?” Ben watched Victor acutely.
Victor avoided the intense gaze. “Any rumors lately about sightings?”
“Around here?”
“Anywhere in the state.”
“You want to tell me why you’re asking?”
Victor met the man’s gaze now. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed Ben’s help. God, how it galled him. “Just call it an old alpha’s intuition. Not a word to Caroline. Promise.”
Ben traced an X across the center of his chest. “Cross my heart, boss man.”
“Get online and talk to your friends. Find out if they’ve heard of any odd activities over the past few weeks.”
“Like before you mean? Mutilation killings, suspected wolf attacks.”
“Exactly.” Victor turned and left the office.
Stepping out of the gallery, he stopped for a moment on the sidewalk taking in the sights along the one block section of Main Street. Culver Avenue bordered it to the north and a large traffic circle splitting the street in two around a town square to the south. His gallery sat on the east side of the street along with a hair salon, the local bank, a dress shop, a cafe and a dry cleaner. Across the street was the city building, which housed the jail and court. Victor wanted to shudder when he recalled his incarceration there as well as his subsequent trial. Beside the city building was a restaurant called Italia. Reed’s Drug Store was next. On the corner sat Knight’s Antiques, where he was heading this morning.
As he walked past the drug store his thoughts wandered, as they often did lately, to Lilah. He wondered what she was doing this morning. Had she arrived at Talia’s yet? She’d been helping out a lot with the twins. She had always been a nurturer. Memories of those early years with her were occupying his mind daily. Her decision to remain in Arcadia had met with a cool response from Caroline, of course. She felt threatened by his connection to Lilah. Why wouldn’t she be? His own feelings were in turmoil most of the time. He vacillated daily between his desire for Lilah and his feelings for Caroline, or was it the other way around? He wasn’t quite sure any more.
Victor pushed those thoughts from his mind as he stepped inside the newly expanded antique shop. He had no time to examine carnal perspectives now. There were other, more urgent, matters to consider.
* * * *
Lucas turned at the sound of the door opening, completely surprised to see Victor standing on the threshold. Drop in visits from this man just didn’t happen. For some reason alarm shot through him. His first thought was of Talia and the twins. Had something happened to them? Then he realized if that were the case Victor wouldn’t be so composed.
There were two customers in the shop, one of them Mrs. Giddings, who frequently purchases items. Since money was no object, he’d been trying to interest her in a large breakfront he’d purchased recently at an auction in Scranton. At the moment, however, she was helping herself to another cookie from the plate Lucas had brought from home. He’d really tried to get out of the cottage this morning without taking them, thinking they might be a great midnight snack, but Talia had caught him on the doorstep, thrusting the plate at him. Just to prove he wouldn’t be pushed around, he’d eaten three of them with his first cup of coffee once he got to the shop.
The expansion of the shop had been a long, sometimes tedious, project but well worth the effort. He’d added another large room onto the back, which he used to house the bulkier items he had for sale. A wide ornately carved archway separated the two rooms, giving the illusion of Victorian grandeur. Since the shop sat on a corner, he was also able to add another smaller room, where a grassy area had once been. He’d wanted to expand on the other side, but the owner of the drug store fought him, stating it would cut into his easement. The city had agreed. In the end, there were no hard feelings as Lucas moved ahead with his plans. The highly polished, curved counter blocking the entrance to the back room, which served as an office had remained intact.
He’d also closed off the upstairs, which had once housed Grandma’s Attic a bargain hunters’ paradise. That had been Rachel Lewis’s—a.k.a. Abby Stewart’s—project. After all the trouble she’d caused, he wanted to erase all traces of her from his business, as well as his mind. In fact, he’d decided to dispense with selling cheaper items altogether. They were now using the upstairs area to store old files.
“There is a breakfront in the other room I just love, Lucas, but the size worries me. I’m not sure it will fit in with the other furniture in my dining room? You’ve never seen my house, but everything is so well matched,” Mrs. Giddings was saying. She was a matronly looking woman who always seemed to have lipstick smeared across her front teeth, but she’d become one of his best customers. He also knew how much Victor valued her patronage at the gallery. Now it appeared Victor was trying to avoid catching the woman’s attention as he ducked behind a tall armoire nearby.
Lucas said, “Tell you what, Mrs. Giddings, take it on spec. If it doesn’t fit in, I’ll have it brought back to the shop. How does that sound?”
“Oh, you’re such a gentleman, Lucas! How can I refuse a deal?” She smiled up at him, exposing pink smudged teeth. She left the shop, obviously unaware she had missed seeing Victor.
Seconds later a muscular young man with close-cropped blond hair came out of the back room, stepping around the sales counter. Lucas motioned toward the other customer, who was examining a Victorian divan at the back of the shop. “Dean, take care of Mister Waymeyer, will you?”
Dean Haywood had been a godsend to Lucas. He was single and had a background in antique sales. In fact, he’d worked at The Cedar Chest, a fledgling shop near Kinnard that finally closed its doors two months ago. Lucas had purchased the entire inventory then hired Dean as well.
“How about some coffee, Victor?” Lucas ventured.
Victor followed Lucas around the sales counter into the office, which had once been nothing more than a storage area. Now there was a roll top desk, swivel chair, file cabinets along with a newly purchased leather loveseat. A coffee cart sat next to the desk.
“None for me. I’m not here to socialize, Lucas.”
“I didn’t think you were.” Lucas sat down in the desk chair, indicating Victor was welcome to take the loveseat.
Instead, Victor paced the floor as though deciding where to begin. Finally he said, “There’s another alpha here in Arcadia. A dangerous one who is out to destroy us.”
Lucas sat back. So, the old man hadn’t lost his touch after all. “I know.”
Victor’s eyebrows shot up. “Of course you do. Who is it, Lucas?”
Lucas shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Yet. But he’ll play his hand soon, I’m sure.”
“If he’s here, there are others. His pack. They’ll be gathering.” Victor continued to pace.
“No doubt.” He watched Victor carefully, wondering what was really going through his mind. He’d lost control of their pack long ago to Lucas, something he had never quite gotten over. Now they were two former rivals who co-existed, not only for Talia’s sake but to ensure the survival of their pack against unseen enemies.
“We need to take the offensive, Lucas. We can’t sit around again waiting for those bastards to come after us! Look what happened the last time we got caught with our pants down. My daughter and son almost died. Now there are the twins to consider.” Victor’s dark eyes seemed to be black bottomless pits. His face was set in a grim mask of determination.
“You don’t have to tell me I need to protect my family,” Lucas flared. Why did Victor always manage to turn every conversation into a confrontation? Or am I the one ready to rumble each time I see him? Talia would say we’re both to blame. She’s probably right.
“So what do you suggest?’ Lucas asked.
“Check out the new people in town, especially the men. He’s here somewhere, Lucas, I’m sure of it. Don’t let looks or living standards fool you. He could be someone prominent or someone in a menial job.” Victor headed for the alcove leading out into the sales area.
Lucas followed. “In the meantime we need to keep a close eye on Talia, Caroline and the kids.”
“Goes without saying. But I don’t want to alarm them just yet. I’ve asked Ben to find out if those shifter hunting friends of his have noticed an increase in sightings, unexplained attacks, you know the routine.”
Lucas opened the front door for Victor. “Maybe we should bring Caleb into this. There’s strength in numbers.”
Victor scowled. “You can talk to him if you want. We aren’t exactly pals.”
I guess not, since it’s obvious you’re still smitten with his wife. Aloud, Lucas said, “I’ll go to the estate before I go home tonight. If he’s half the alpha he is purported to be, this probably won’t be news to him.”
Victor muttered something Lucas didn’t quite catch before he walked off.
Chapter Four
After lunch, Caroline loaded her son into his car seat then began the short drive from Arcadian Ridge into town. She was really looking forward to visiting the new bookstore, Page Turner. It felt good to have the day to herself, so she could spend the extra time with Alex.
As often happened when she was leaving her condo complex, her gaze wandered across the courtyard to Neil’s condo on the other end. She wasn’t sure what she expected to see, did she think he’d be peering out the front window in hopes of catching a glimpse of her? Foolish.
Nearly three weeks had passed since she’d laid eyes on him. He’d been driving into the complex as she was leaving. She’d waved, he’d waved. She wondered at the time if he’d noticed the hunger in her eyes as they passed.
Memories of their brief liaison several months ago came floating back to her. Just the thought of it made her cheeks heat up. After the encounter, she’d vowed to end things between them. But something always drew them back together, sometimes just to talk. She still needed to be part of his life, even if it was on the fringes.
Page Turner wasn’t located on Main Street but in a small strip mall off Carver Avenue next to the Oak Hill Apartments. She pulled her Mercedes into the parking area and shut off the motor. She gazed across the lot at the apartment complex where Abby Stewart had lived when she’d been masquerading as Rachel Lewis.
Let’s not forget Claire Fontaine lived there also. I trusted her with Alex and she tried to steal my man!
Memories of the ash blonde nanny who’d had Victor doing handstands in February came flooding back, sending an acrid taste up into her throat. Later, when she’d found out who Claire really was it had turned her world upside down. Things have never been the same since. It’s so damned obvious she still has the hots for Victor, and he feels the same about her. Why am I hanging onto a man who wants someone else?
Alex cried “Mama.” Caroline realized she been standing next to the car with the driver’s door open for several moments. “Okay, simmer down. We’re going inside in a second.”
Since Alex was still a little wobbly on two legs, she’d brought along his stroller, which she now extricated from the trunk. After securing him in the cushioned seat, she locked the car then pushed him toward the store.
The strip mall also included a liquor store, an insurance agency, and a small Chinese food carryout. When she stepped inside Page Turner the rich aroma of home baking made her mouth water. Chocolate chip cookies if she wasn’t mistaken. It wasn’t a large place, but every inch of room had been put to good use. Besides the numerous shelves, there were furniture groupings scattered around so customers could sit down and read or just visit. Assorted beverages were available from the coffee bar in the far corner.
“Well, I’d say from the delicious smell that Miriam has added some goodies to the menu,” Caroline told Alex as she pushed the stroller toward the children’s books.”
“Indeed I have.”
Caroline turned around to find the proprietor, Miriam Hayes, standing just inches away. In her hands was a plate brimming with an assortment of cookies, many of them chocolate chip. “You’re determined to fatten this town up aren’t you?”
Miriam smiled, nodding toward the plate. “Have one. No calories. I promise.”
“When are you going to write a cookbook?” Caroline asked. She handed a sugar cookie down to Alex, who started nibbling on it with a vengeance.
“Believe it or not, I’m seriously considering it.” Miriam set the cookies down on a nearby coffee table.
The store was moderately busy. Caroline was certain it was because of Miriam’s wonderful personality. Another thing she’d noticed when she visited here was the plethora of Arcadia’s older gentlemen hanging around. Widowers most of them. Probably glad to have any scrap of attention from a woman as cheerful as Miriam. Of course the delicious baked goods she constantly supplied didn’t hurt. Caroline smiled to herself. In her opinion, Miriam would never lack for male companionship if she wanted it.
“I’m looking for some books for Alex,” Caroline told her.
“I just got a wonderful set of children’s books in. There are six volumes with beautiful pictures.” She pulled the leather bound packet off the shelf, handing it to Caroline.
“Wow. Nice.” The pages were thick and gilt edged. All the stories were ones she recalled from her own childhood. Classics. “I’ll take it.” She didn’t even look at the price.
“Don’t forget to treat yourself.” Miriam waved at several customers as they got in line to check out.
The clerk behind the counter was a tall thin girl with long brown hair. Caroline recognized her at once. “New salesperson?”
Miriam half-grimaced. “Her aunt practically begged me to hire her. You know Mrs. Giddings, I’m sure. She’s a very good customer so what could I do? The girl seems eager to learn. Plus, she can read, so I didn’t see the harm.”
Caroline had heard enough about Mrs. Giddings’ niece, Brittany. “So, you’re really going to add baked goods to the coffee bar?” She pushed the stroller down several rows until she reached the non-fiction section. Miriam followed along carrying the children’s volumes. Alex had nearly devoured the cookie by then and was making dry throat noises. Caroline reached into her large handbag taking out a baby bottle filled with juice. He reached up, snagged it and began sucking noisily.
“I’ve been bringing in my baked goods for quite a while. Everyone loves them, so starting next week I’m going to put them up for sale at the coffee bar. You’re not the only one who has been telling me I should stop giving them away.”
Caroline pulled a book about interior decorating off the shelf. “I have a little proposition for you, Miriam.”
The woman’s brown eyes shone with interest. “I’m listening.”
“When we have shows at the gallery, I’d like to add refreshments to the evening. You know hors d’oeuvres, sweets, wine and coffee. I think your baked goods would be a big hit. They could also generate more business for you.”
Miriam seemed truly thrilled. “I’m more than interested.”
“Good. We’ll get together to work out the details soon. We have another show in early December, so we’ll need some seasonal treats.”
“I’ve been baking Christmas cookies along with other holiday sweets, since I was a young woman. I can handle it.”