He wanted to comfort her and it did calm her just to have him there.
We can probably get a blanket for you. You know, to cover up. The cop, Officer Patterson, offered helpfully.
I have a spare change of clothes in the trunk. If I may?
The words were those of a question, but it really wasnt a request and they all knew it. But they allowed it anyway and he got changed rather quickly and he never got farther than a foot away from her.
She knew he was angry. The barely leashed fury from his beast throbbed from him in hot waves. She wondered if the cops could feel it, or if they only sensed it and that was why they kept a wary eye on him.
Then again it could have been because he was a massive beast under his skin, the likes of which theyd never seen.
Can you please call my parents and let them know were going to be held up? Dont go into too much detail, theyll only worry. But well be there as soon as we can.
Faine nodded, but didnt move away to make the call. Instead he moved back to his place behind her, one hand on her shoulder, and did it there.
Patterson took their statement, got all their contact information and sent them on their way after they refused to go to the hospital.
She thanked the manager and the witnesses whod stayed to speak to the cops and then got back into the car and they headed to her parents place.
Your mother isnt going to be pleased. She was quite disgruntled that I wouldnt go into specifics.
Shes the wife of a hunter, it comes with the territory. Damn it. They totally messed up my pie and got it all over your upholstery. Im sorry.
You. Be quiet and rest. I can get my car cleaned, but you are not replaceable, so hush.
He was silent as they made their way the two short miles to the house. He tried very hard not to think about it. About the way shed taken on those thugs and also the cops, no fewer than six holding weapons on her.
Im proud of you. You were a fine warrior tonight, he said as they pulled up and he turned the engine off.
Thanks for jumping on that jerk and breaking a few of his ribs for me.
He knew he shouldnt smile. It would only encourage her. But she made him laugh. I would have taken out the other two, but you got to them pretty fast. Though Im sorry about your head. I should have been faster.
Im totally covered in goo. My head hurts like crazy and I totally threatened to throw down with a cop, so Im quite grumpy. Far too grumpy to let you take responsibility for that dumb thing. So get out of the car and come open my door so we can go inside. Also? I love you.
He had been ready to argue, but the last thing she said froze him in place. It wasnt that he didnt know she felt deeply for him. Shed agreed to the binding already. But it meant something to him that shed say it.
He took her hand and kissed it. Your knuckles are raw and you taste like blood and cinnamon. I love you too. Infuriating and danger-courting woman that you are.
Before he could say anything else, her father opened the front door and her mother came out on the porch.
She waved.
Oops, no time to scold me anymore. Rain has seen us.
Sit still. Ill be around. He kissed her quickly and got out, waving back to her parents before he opened her door and helped her out.
Her mother got a look at the disheveled state of her usually neat-as-a-pin daughter and rushed down the front steps. Faine felt the warmth of the wards that admitted them as they moved toward her mother.
Im all right. I just need to get changed and fed and maybe some pain reliever. Not necessarily in that order.
Her mother tutted over her. Hello, Faine. Come inside both of you and then someone had better be explaining why I had to hold dinner and my daughter has clearly been in a fight of some sort.
Shes been hit in the back of the head with a blackjack. Faine wanted to be sure to let Rain know up front because that sort of thing worried him. He knew Helena was tough, but she was his.
David, please bring me an ice pack and my herbs. Rain took Helenas hand. Come on. You know the drill.
Dad, get Faine something to eat and drink. Hell tell you what happened.
Faine will be right here with you and your mother, so Ill tell them both. Should I carry her, Rain?
Rain looked a great deal like her daughters as she turned, surprised and then very amused. Oh that would be delightful to see. But no, shes going to sit right there. She pointed and Helena sighed, sitting where her mother pointed.
Eyes closed, one hand on her lower belly, she touched the same place on Helena and frowned. Her lips moved as she slid her palm from Helenas belly to the back of her head.
Helenas eyes flew open. No.
Rain continued to murmur, ignoring Helena. Faine looked to David, who shook his head.
Mom, I said no. Helena tried to move her mothers hand and Rains eyes snapped open and her energy built up hot and fast. Faine stepped back and David appeared just as surprised.
You will hold your tongue.
Helena pushed back against her mothers command. Youre taking this into yourself. I wont let you!
Its my gift and Ill do what I want with it. Stop fighting me. It takes more of my energy and Im going to win either way. Im your mother, Helena. Obey me immediately.
Helena frowned.
Listen to your mother.
At Davids terse words, Helena sighed and put her hands back into her lap.
Why dont you tell me what happened? David asked Faine.
He explained it all as Rain worked just a few feet away. Davids frown grew deeper with each word Faine spoke until he slammed his fist into the wall next to the bathroom door.
Rain sighed and looked to them both. Youd better not have dented my drywall again. Go on out to the dining room. Helena is going to shower and change. Dont go too far, Faine, Im going to be looking you over in a few minutes to be sure youre all right.
Faine hated leaving Helena alone but knew he had no choice. She was safe here in this house.
Shes more upset about the way she was treated by that checker than the three who attacked you all.
Faine nodded his thanks when David handed him a soda water with some lemon. He didnt know how much Helena would feel okay with him sharing with her father. Which seemed stupid.
I think so. Using her fists and her magick on strangers? Thats easy for her. Having someone she trusted in some sense betray that? It shook her.
She likes to pretend nothing shakes her. I suppose thats my fault. I raised them hard. Too hard, as my lovely wife likes to say. This isnt a job or a life for fluffy bunny parenting. Rain did that part. But both my girls have big hearts and a seemingly infinite ability to protect people, and it gets to them more than they want to admit when people cant see it.
Helena hated being misjudged. Faine could see that quite plainly after all the time theyd spent together. He hated that for her too, because she was so good and people took it for granted sometimes.
Shell be out shortly and Im sure Rain will want to feed you both. Its her way of protecting those she loves.
Youre a lucky male.
David paused as he pulled something from the oven. Yes, I am. And now I suppose Im going to have to hand over my last precious thing to another male. Yes?
Shell want us to be together when we tell you most of it, but man to man, I want to tell you how much I cherish your daughter. I will take care of her, protect her. The best I can, that is. Your daughter is wily and seems to attract trouble as easily as she breathes. I will spend all my days making her happy and making sure she has everything she needs. Not that she doesnt have the ability to do it all herself. Shes self-sufficient and eminently capable.
Her father smiled at him. Shell beat your ass if you screw her over. And then I will. And then Lark will. But its really Rain you need to worry over the most.
Faine snorted a laugh. The Jaansen females are nothing to sneeze at. Its no wonder that my brother and I found our women in two of them. Intelligent. Powerful. Strong. Beautiful. Shell be right at home in Lycia among warriors.
You could take her there now and keep her away from whatever is to come. Keep her safe.
Faine laughed. And then he laughed some more. Nothing happens to your daughter that she doesnt want to happen. I just watched her beat down two human males who topped six feet and she barely used her magick. However much I might wish to shield her from all this, especially after I saw her stop a bomb, Id never disrespect her like that. Also, shed kill me in my sleep if I tried.
There is that, David agreed as he put the bowls of food on the table.
And to be truthful? I believe Helena is important to all this. Shes integral in how things will play out.
Do you say that in general or . . .
I have a touch of foresight. Not like my mother, who is quite powerful with it. But enough that my gut tells me shes part of this in such a way that should she not be around, things would go worse.
* * *
GET out of those clothes. Im going to burn some of these herbs in here while you shower. Youll absorb them through your skin in the steam.
Helena knew better than to argue with her mother, so she hoped Faine hadnt given her any of his love bites.
Oh, they ruined your blouse. And it was such a pretty one. Her mother picked it up and examined it. I might be able to fix it. The rip is at a seam. She put it aside and began to set up the brazier where shed burn the herbs.
Do I have to use the green soap? She hated the green soap. It was gross and slick and she smelled like pesto when she got out of the shower. But it was healing soap and she already knew the answer.
Dont waste my time with this nonsense, Helena. Make sure you get it on the back of your head where they hit you.
Speaking of that. She turned the shower on and then finished undressing. The crisp scent of the herbs floated her way from where her mother had just murmured her spell and the flame sparked. Hows your head now?
Im going to drink some healing tea, but really? Im all right. At first when I drew it from you it was bad. I cant believe you were even able to stand in so much pain.
I was sitting. And Faine nearly carried me to the front door. Also, Im used to it. You arent. She breathed in deep, knowing the herbs would work better if she just sucked it up and used the gross green soap and let the herbs her mother burned do their job.
Sweetheart, between your father and you and your sister, Im quite used to it. And since the Magister my abilities have grown. Im astonished at how much in some ways.
Mine too.
Yes, I saw footage of my daughter on her knees, blood everywhere, stopping a bomb. Nothing Ill be forgetting any time soon. You foolish, foolish girl.
Her mothers tone was sharp, full of fear, and Helena knew it wasnt a rebuke.
It was so brave. All that you do. Every day. Its brave and right and Im so very proud of you.
Tears stung her eyes so she closed them and pretended it was the soap. Thank you.
No, thank you. Now. What on earth is this mess on your pants?
Pie. Those assholes not only ruined the pie I was bringing over, but they got it all over me and Faines car too. Its going to be a sticky mess in there. But itll smell good.
Her mother laughed. I like him. Faine, I mean. I like how focused he is on you without seeming obsessive or creepy.
Im in love with him.
That much is clear. He feels the same.
Yes. She rinsed off, feeling much better.
You have clothes here still. Ill be back in a moment with something for you to change into.
She dried off and noted the bruises beginning to appear on her legs and side where shed hit the car door. They wouldnt be as bad because of the magick and the greenwork as her mother called the herbal magick she used. Her head didnt hurt so much she wanted to puke anymore. But shed definitely take some pain reliever once she got food into her body.
Will he take care of you? Her mother thrust some clothes into her hands. Like you deserve to be?
Faine?
She pulled on the yoga pants and an old long-sleeved shirt. I cant believe you still have this shirt.
You and your sister leave things here. I put them away in case you ever need them. And I like having some of your belongings in the house. Its a tie to you both.
She pulled on a pair of thick socks.
Yes. He takes care of me like I should be. Hes kind. Really bossy. But not in a gross Im the boss, you do that way.
Well, thats good, as youd have to punch him in the sac if he acted like that.
Helena laughed as she finished braiding back her wet hair. She turned to her mother and hugged her. I love you.
I love you too, baby.
When they both got back out to the dining room, Helenas stomach growled rather rudely. Faine smiled as he caught sight of her. You look better.
Her mother breezed past and took over from her dad. Shell be better after she eats. Sit, everyone.
They filled their plates and ate for a bit, Helena answering questions from her father about the assault at the grocery store.
Im afraid were going to need to add it to the list of places Others need to be wary about. They had a list, available at the website, of businesses and places throughout the country that Others had negative and positive experiences with. I think we should give the owner a chance to issue a statement though. If they deal with this Nancy creature and theyre otherwise fine to do business with, thats all we can ask really. There are bound to be problem employees all over the place. No matter how awesome the owners and management.