Jaxon brought the topic back to Micah. About your brother, all of us thought he and several other Pack members were dead because thats what we were told, same as you. We were devastated. When Nick came on board, he knew that the bodies were missing, but he was pretty much ordered not to say anything. Were no happier about that than you must be, but we dont blame him. Nick didnt know for sure whether they really were deadonly what he was told.
Rowan shook her head. Ill admit I was angry with your boss at first, but I dont blame him, either. I just want the truth, and to find my brother. Even if hes gone, she added hoarsely. Her appetite fled.
Reaching across the table, Zan laid a hand over hers. Thats all we want as well. Micah wasisa brother to us. Now that were pretty sure hes being held somewhere, alive, nothing is going to stop us from getting him back. And the other guys, too, if theyre out there.
Heat enveloped her hand, traveled up her arm to her heart. The agony in her chest lessened, and she wondered if this was Zans gifteasing peoples pain.
We know Savage is, Ryon put in.
Yeah, the snarky son of a bitch. Jaxons words held no real heat, and his tone was sad, his eyes brimming with guilt. Its my fault hes not here.
Oh, sweetie, Kira breathed, hugging him tight. Youve got to stop blaming yourself. Arics being taken was Chappells doing, not yours.
Confused, Rowan waited for someone to enlighten her. Zan obliged.
Jaxons gift, other than his wolf, of course, is that hes a Timebender. He can literally bend time backward, but by no more than a few minutes. A few weeks ago on a rescue op, Kira was killed and
No offense, but shes looking pretty good to me, Rowan interrupted, studying the other woman.
Zan continued while Jaxon stared at his plate. Thats because Jax bent time back and saved her. But that caused Aric to be taken prisoner by Chappells minions instead.
Uh-huh. Her cops brain balked at this one. She pinned Jaxon with a steely look that had made many a suspect squirm. Show me.
What?
She waved a hand. If you can bend time, show me. Back up to when I walked in with the angel here.
Fae, Sariel corrected.
Whatever.
Jax gave a wry chuckle. I cant. Wouldnt do any good.
Why not?
Because you wouldnt remember if I did. How do you know I didnt perform it already, and were simply repeating the same conversation?
She stared at him a few seconds, trying to process this, then snorted. Damn, what a mindfuck. The men laughed, and she supposed the joke was on her. Undaunted, however, and determined to get some sort of proof of these gifts Nick told her about, she addressed Zan. So whats your talent? Bet you cant prove it, either.
Im a Healer, he said, arching a black brow. And actually, I can. Ryon, give me your hand.
The blond held it out. Man, just
dont leave a scar.
Zan turned his friends hand palm up, then reached into his pants, extracting a pocketknife. This will make a cleaner cut than the steak knife.
Rowans eyes widened. Wait a minute. I didnt mean
Just watch. With a grin, Zan flipped open the blade. Quickly, he made a swipe across Ryons palm. A thin line oozed red, but not too badly. Do you see that? His hand is bleeding, right?
It is, she agreed. I think youre both crazy.
Without answering, Zan laid his palm on top of Ryons, aligning their fingers.
Um, guys, thats a good way to pass HIV or hepatitis, she warned. Her cruiser was stocked with latex gloves in case she ran across someone with blood on them while on duty, which happened more often than one might think. Blood-borne illnesses were always a concern in her line of work.
Ryon winked. It would be, if we were still able to catch human diseases.
Before she could respond to that nonsense, Zan lifted his hand, turning it so she could see their palms.
Now you both have blood on you. So?
Zan took his cloth napkin and dipped it into a nearby water glass. Then he used the napkin to wipe Ryons palm clean and held the mans hand closer to her. Care to inspect it?
Leaning over, she peered hard at the skin. His perfectly unmarred skin. She grabbed Ryons wrist and rubbed his palm with the pads of her fingers. No mark at all!
Ill be damned! Releasing Ryon, she sat back in her chair and looked away from the small group as the total impact of everything shed seen and heard in her short time here hit her full force.
Really hit. Micah was part of a paranormal black ops team, and the nonhuman type of evil truly did exist. As an LAPD cop, she faced danger every day, but even that couldnt begin to compare to the world shed stumbled upon and was now up to her neck in trying to grasp.
I wear a badge, carry a gun, and until today I walked around confident that I knew who the bad guys were and was sure of my ability to handle them. Then I find out Im an insignificant bug on the stalk of the universe. Monster food.
Dinner forgotten, overwhelmed, she rested her elbows on the table and buried her face in her hands. She was in no way prepared for this. How the hell was she supposed to help Micah?