A gentle hand rubbed her back and she started, sitting up to glance at Sariel. His expression was warm, understanding. No one except Dean had bothered to comfort her in years, and the small kindness almost did her in. But she wouldnt cry. She never did.
It will be all right, the Fae man said, smiling faintly. Trust me.
What, so youre a PreCog like Nick?
No. But youre not without your own gifts and I have a feeling they will serve you well in your quest.
You mean I have some sort of talent, like Micah? He nodded and she perked up some at the idea. She thought of the Dreamwalking thing Nick had told her about. Cool. Whats my gift? How do you know?
Humans are so impatient. He sighed, then shook his head. How I know isnt important, and it wouldnt be as effective for you if I told you the nature of your gift. You must experience it for yourself to accept and use it.
Great. I want answers and I get Yoda for a sidekick, she muttered.
Who? Sariel looked baffled and the rest of the group chuckled.
I think shes going to fit right in, Ryon said.
Before anyone could comment, a Goth guy walked in who commanded not only Rowans attention but that of everybody in the dining area. He walked like a graceful cat and looked like a cross between a rock star and a gunslinger. Even among these men, he was unique. And no wonderthis was the man shed seen shift to human from panther form.
Whos that? she whispered to Sariel.
Kalen Black, he answered in a low voice. One of the new recruits, but extremely powerful. Hes a Sorcerer and Necromancer.
Jesus.
Kalen rapped on the table to get their attention. Hey, Nick wants to see the Pack in the meeting room, pronto. The intercoms not working, so he sent me to round up you guys.
The guy named A.J. glanced up hopefully. Me, too?
Sorry, man, not yet.
Too green , Rowan thought. Outwardly disappointed at being excluded, A.J. heaved a breath and went back to eating. The bald man with him, however, wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood. As
did Jaxon, Zan, and Ryon.
Jaxon shot an intense stare at Kalen. We going wheels-up?
Yep, after sundown. Hes got the details on where well find our two missing guys, and hopefully a bunch of Chappells scumbags, too. Kalens green gaze found Rowan briefly. He nodded an acknowledgment of her presence, then looked at his friends. Lets go.
Wait, she called to them. I want to sit in on this meeting.
No can do, Jax said over his shoulder.
This is my brother were talking about! You cant just
Thats exactly why we canbecause hes your family and youre way too emotional. And if Nick wants you to know more, hell tell you.
Im getting damned tired of that answer! They filed out, ignoring her, and she pounded a fist on the table. Frustrated, she glared at Kira. Tell me this gets easier.
Dealing with a bunch of overbearing alpha males? The blonde snorted. Right.
Thats what I was afraid of. Same macho attitude, different location.
Fine. Theyd left her no choice but to resort to desperate measures. If the Pack thought they were leaving in the night without her, they were in for a big surprise.
Rowan crouched in a dark corner of the huge hangar, waiting. Despite her training as an officer and the dark jeans and shirt she wore, there was a better than average chance that she would get caught. She was only human, armed with nothing but stealth and maybe some luck. The team, with their super-senses, might very well detect her presence and make her stay behind, something she couldnt allow to happen.
Using one of the compounds SUVs as cover, she peered around the back end and studied the hulking shapes of several vehicles in the dim light coming from a wall fixture far across the vast space. Among them she counted two private jets, three SUVs, a couple of motorcycles, and several cars and trucks that she suspected were owned by the team members. The crowning glory was the three big Hueys at the far end, situated under a roof hatch that would open to allow them to take off.
The main problems were not knowing which mode of transportation theyd take, and how shed manage to stow away and hide.
From the corner of her eye, she saw a faint glow. Startled, she whipped her head around to watch as a ball of neon blue light grew brighter, larger. Edging backward, she gaped as the ball shimmered into the form of a manor rather, Sariel.
Crouching, he grinned at her, his beautiful wings spread. Hello.
All right, thats going to take some getting used to. What are you doing here?
Establishing myself as your partner in crime, of course.
She appreciated the irony, considering. Hey, thats nice of you, but I dont want you to get in hot water with Nick.
The man looked alarmed. He would wish me to bathe with him as punishment for assisting you?
No. Rowan choked, not quite stifling a laugh. Hot water means to get in trouble.
Oh. He waved a hand. That doesnt concern me. What can he do to me , after all?
She studied him thoughtfully. True. But why do you want to help me?
Amber eyes returned her gaze in the darkness, turned sad. Because if I had anyone who loved me as much as you love your Micah, Id want her to come for me.