Finding Hawk (Branches of Emrys Book 3) Page 4

  I’ll always love my little dove,

  Dad

  Shaking off the sudden sadness, she smiled up at Chatan. “Thank you.”

  “You okay?” he asked slowly.

  Loretta smiled. “You shortened her name. She’s probably trying to figure out why.” She lifted a brow at him.

  Jacinda shook off the strange warmth and managed a smile. “Took me by surprise. You’re fine,” she answered, blushing.

  His eyes sparkled as he watched her. “Now, sit back and relax while I clean up. Then I’ll show you around the reservation.”

  Loretta asked, “Where are you taking her?”

  “Thought I might start at the lake.” His gaze darted to Jacinda. “Unless you have a better idea.”

  She wasn’t sure how to ask for what she needed to see. Or how to find it. “Sounds good to me.” Hopefully, he’d give her some ideas wherever he took her.

  Loretta turned to her. “Come to dinner tonight.”

  The request came as a surprise. After a second, Jacinda offered a smile but shook her head. “Oh, I really don’t want to impose.”

  “I insist,” Loretta pleaded. “And it’s not imposing if I’m inviting.”

  “She loves to take care of everyone. Honest, this makes her happiest.”

  Jacinda’s gaze swung to Chatan. “We’ll see how bored he is with me by then.”

  “I won’t be bored,” he promised.

  “Then it’s settled. I’ll see you tonight.” Loretta hopped up and left the house.

  “Where is she going?” Jacinda asked.

  Chatan gathered more dishes. “She’s meeting with the elders about something that happened in the next town last night.”

  She paused, staring at her hands. Were they talking about what she did to Mason? Should she be worried? Maybe she should have left, and come back later.

  * * * *

  Chatan hurried through cleaning the kitchen while Jacinda stared at anything and everything but him. And as he placed the last dish in the dishwasher, she stood silently and moved for the door.

  Chatan beat her there and leaned against her exit. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “Look, whatever they’re meeting about, I should go.” She tried to take a step back, but he caught her arm and brought her closer.

  He decided to play this close to the chest. “One of their scouts saw what you did before they could stop the van and get you out.”

  “What?” She pulled out of his hold.

  “Just hear me out. Okay?”

  Her eyes narrowed, her arms crossing over her chest. “All right.”

  “We suspect Josephine Monvoisin is abducting Others, taking their powers. She leaves scraps behind. That’s it.”

  Her head tipped, and she bit her bottom lip. “Scraps?”

  “Of flesh and bone. That’s all that’s left when she’s done.”

  “I know that name. She died some years ago.”

  “Yeah, but she’s back, and she’s not exactly right. I don’t know what that makes her.”

  She rubbed her chin. “How is she taking powers?”

  “We don’t know. We haven’t been able to prove it, but the disappearances have been happening since she came back eighteen months ago. All travelers, and all Other. We’ve been watching for the next victim. You got away. The first we know of.”

  “You were there?”

  “No, but I heard.” As much as he hated lying, he didn’t think he could make her understand why he kept quiet in the first place. How did he explain that his gut told him not to spill exactly how he knew?

  “They know it was me?”

  “No, but you came here at the perfect time for it to be you. As far as I know, none of the elders know you’re here. They only know a Wendy Naughton got away.”

  “Do their authorities know what they tried to do?” Jacinda demanded, flames flickering in her green eyes.

  “Not exactly. Only that a young woman attempted to steal from Morty’s Burger Stop. She somehow sabotaged a van and burned Mason.” He tried to shut himself up but was having a hard time. He wanted to tell her everything.

  “They’re going to come looking for me? Damn it. I need to go.” Jacinda moved back, looking around, probably for another exit.

  Taking her arms in his hands, he shook his head. “They may look, but they won’t find you. The elders don’t believe Wendy stole from the diner, nor do they think she’s you. Besides, she was a victim. One who fought back and escaped. Even if they believed you were her, they’d protect you.” Okay, they probably already knew, and they sure as hell would protect her.

  “Damn it, I don’t need this.” She tried to move away, but he didn’t let go.

  He closed the distance. “Yeah, well, as soon as you cross the border of the reservation, she’ll sense you and they’ll come after you, no matter where you go.”

  Her chest heaved. “So, I’m a prisoner?”

  Chatan released her and lifted his hands up, open, and palms out. “No. But stay for now. The elders will stop them, soon.”

  “I don’t want to cause trouble for anyone.”

  “Jace, you’re no trouble. None. Stay, please. You said you wanted to see things your father talked about?”

  Frowning, she nodded.

  “Then stay. Let me show you around, and maybe I can help you find the places that captivated your father.”

  Her face scrunched up. “This was a bad idea.” Yet, she didn’t move again.

  “Why did you come here?”

  Her eyes closed, and her shoulders slumped as her hands fell to her sides. “It’s complicated.”

  “Let me help you. You have a purpose. No one comes here without some kind of purpose, and usually, that’s just to visit family. And you don’t look like one of us.”

  She snorted, glancing down at the floor. “That a problem?”

  “Really think I’d ask you if I could help find what you’re looking for if I cared about the color of your skin?”

  She finally really looked at him and it was as if she peered into his soul. “No, and I don’t understand why you and Loretta want me here so bad.”

  “She is an excellent judge of character. She likes you. And, well, I really like you, and I want to know you better.”

  She gulped. “Why?”

  “Can’t think of anyone I’d rather get to know. There’s this draw I can’t ignore.”

  “Oh, uh…”

  He dropped his gaze, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You’re not used to compliments, are you?”

  “Not around people enough to get them.” She sighed. “I’ll stay, for now. But the moment they come looking for me, I may leave.”

  He met her gaze, a smile spreading. “We’ll figure it out.”

  “And I’m not looking for someone,” she warned, but there wasn’t much conviction behind her voice.

  He nodded. “Doesn’t mean I can’t get to know you. Everyone can stand to have more friends. And if that’s all you want, that’s all I’ll give you.” And hopefully, he could change her mind later.

  “Okay, you said the lake first?”

  “Let me drive. We’ll go after you put on a bathing suit.”

  Her eyes widened. “We’re swimming?”

  “Can you?”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t expect that.”

  “I’ll drive you to the motel, and you can change. Right after I do.”

  “I’m just next door.” Jacinda rubbed one arm. “How about you meet me at the motel? And I promise I’ll be there. I won’t ditch you.”

  One brow arched. “If you aren’t there, I’m going to be very disappointed.”

  “I’ll see you shortly.” She managed to slip past him and out the door.

  Closing his eyes, he focused on her scent. Like the flowers at the gazebo. He’d never found them anywhere but there. Not to mention he wanted to feel more of her soft skin.

  Damn it, he needed to slow down and give her room to open up. Not make
demands. And he wanted to know more about her but was willing to be patient.

  He’d never responded to a woman the way he did Jacinda. She called to him from the moment he felt her magic closing in. He didn’t have a clue why, but he planned to find out.

  Chatan changed into a pair of trunks. Then he drove over to her room, where she stood in a pair of shorts and a tank top, but he saw the ties to a white bikini. There was a good chance he was going to make a fool of himself, but he wanted to see her in his special place.

  Eddie would laugh at his current situation. Chatan often acted first, then got to know someone. This time, he wanted to take a slower approach because this already felt stronger than anything that came before.

  Chapter 5

  Jacinda thought about climbing into her car and bailing, but she promised she’d be there. Chatan was far too tempting. He wanted to help. Something she wasn’t used to. Plus, he made her nervous, and not because he meant her harm. No, he made her crave things she never gave much thought to.

  She was a mess. The night before scared the hell out of her. With those assholes looking for her, running seemed the smart move. At least until Chatan pointed out they’d find her if she left. And as crazy as it sounded, she believed him. All because of that barrier of spells surrounding the reservation. She felt it the second she crossed over.

  So, she grabbed a pair of socks out of her box and shifted them into a bikini, changed her boots to slip on tennis shoes, and stepped outside. By the time she locked up and leaned on the door, Chatan pulled up.

  Nervous energy bubbled with the million butterflies who took flight in her stomach. She’d never felt this way before and that terrified her. And yet, she couldn’t resist spending a little more time with him.

  Trying to ignore the new feelings, she climbed into the passenger seat and returned his smile. “I’m ready.”

  He grinned. “I brought towels, and later, I’ll take you to eat.”

  “How many times do I have to tell you that’s unnecessary?”

  Chatan chuckled. “It’s part of spending the day with me. I’m showing you places you might be interested in. Unless you can give me a hint about what you’re looking for.”

  She laid her head back, trying to decide what she could tell him without sounding like a total nutcase. He may be Other, but she wasn’t like anything else out there, as far as she knew. Her bloodline was so mixed between different casters, she was more like a sponge, without taking powers from other people. What she did was more like reproducing the spell with her own spin.

  “Let’s start with you showing me what you want, and I’ll figure out if you can help.”

  “Fair enough.”

  She watched the scenery go by, taking in her surroundings. He drove down the main street and passed a couple shops, the diner, and some other buildings she didn’t examine. Her interest lay in landmarks.

  Chatan turned down a gravel road and made his way to a dirt lot where he parked near the water. “We’re here.”

  Hiding a laugh, she pulled her tank top off and slipped out of the shorts. Then she ditched her shoes and climbed out. He was too silent, and she started to rethink her decision to undress in the car.

  Too late now.

  A chill traveled up from her toes as she stepped into the icy water. She kept going, undeterred. Hopefully she got used to the cold lake before she went numb.

  He splashed just enough to know he was catching up. She didn’t look back, sure her pale skin was flaming red under the heat of her blush.

  Chatan ran the back of his fingers down her arm, sending a shock of warmth through her. “Sorry, I should have warned you it was cold. But if you can make it to the island, I want to show you something.”

  “I can.” She turned toward him, letting her eyes travel over his lean, muscular build. On his shoulder he had a beautifully designed hawk tattoo. His calf had a wolf.

  Chatan stepped closer and she looked up, only to lose herself in his intense gaze. Forcing herself into action, she smiled and rushed farther into the lake.

  “That’s how it’s going to be?” he teased, splashing into the water.

  She dove under and he followed her lead, then swam faster than she could hope to. He was a natural, and she didn’t swim nearly often enough.

  Jacinda nearly sucked in a lungful of water when he walked onto the island. The sun glistened off the droplets. His black hair shined. His skin moved over his muscles.

  Utter perfection.

  She wasn’t far behind and stood in time for a cool breeze to send a chill through her. Without making a fool of herself, she managed to walk to him.

  Chatan never took his eyes off her. He seemed to like what he saw, which boosted her confidence and sent the butterflies into a frenzy.

  “Don’t swim much, do you?” he asked, his brow arched.

  She shook her head. “Nope. I move from town to town. Don’t have too many reasons to swim. What gave it away?”

  He tipped his head. “You went through the motions, the way someone taught you. You didn’t let nature guide you.”

  Frowning, she shook her head. “Not sure what you mean. But I was never much of a water creature.”

  He laughed. “I suppose not. You aren’t one of the shaman with a water animal spirit. He moved off the trail and came back with two towels. “They may be a little stiff. I keep them here, and sometimes it rains, then they dry.”

  She took the cloth and graciously wrapped it around herself. “Thank you. Chilly here.”

  “Won’t be farther in. Follow me.”

  He waited until she stepped into time with him. They walked down the short trail to a gazebo with some kind of ivy-like plant that had small violet star-shaped flowers she’d never seen before. They shimmered under the sun.

  And granted, she wasn’t much of a plant or potion person, but the flowers seemed otherworldly somehow.

  Peace washed through Jacinda as she closed her eyes and breathed in the sweet scent. “It’s beautiful.” She opened her eyes to find him standing in front of her, the towel over his shoulders as he watched her reaction.

  “You look happy here,” Chatan murmured.

  “I didn’t before?”

  He looked up at the ceiling a second before smiling. “No, but you seem more at home here than anywhere else I’ve seen you.”

  She laughed. “I’m a stranger in a new place. It would be weird if I felt totally comfortable among people I don’t know.”

  Nodding, he smiled. “Perhaps. But you’ll feel at home before you know it.” He sank down into a cross-legged position and held his hand out to her.

  She took it and joined him. “How many people know about this place?”

  “My father and uncle helped build it. Well, my cousin and our friend know of it, but never stepped foot on the island.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  He wrung the length of his hair out as he glanced away and shrugged. Then he laughed. “They can’t see it.”

  “What?” She leaned back, looking around again. “What do you mean they can’t see it?”

  “It’s somewhere between one plane and the next. I don’t know how it got here, only that it’s here, and people of my father’s line can reach it, while others can’t see it.”

  “The island, or the gazebo?”

  “The island. There’s just water for them.”

  Completely baffled, she sat there, trying to wrap her head around that tidbit. “Then, why can I be here?”

  He rubbed his chin. “Don’t know.”

  “And you didn’t think about the fact there was a good chance I wouldn’t find it?”

  “No.” Then he frowned. “Hmm, I just knew you could. I don’t know why. Besides, you didn’t argue when I asked if you could swim to the island.”

  “Hmm.”

  He took her hand, then rubbed it between both of his. “I dreamed I brought you here. It seemed so real I didn’t give it any thought this morning.”

  “You real
ize that sounds completely and totally crazy, right?”

  “Are you upset?”

  “No, strangely flattered, but utterly confused.” Jacinda caught his hands and squeezed. “Honestly, I’m glad you brought me here.” And she was sure she’d need to come back, probably alone. Otherwise, she might give away too many secrets. But why could she see the island, and go to it, when no one else could, if only his family could? None of it made any damned sense.

  “Can I ask you something?” he murmured.

  His gaze pulled her in. “Hmm?”

  “Do you believe in fate?”

  The answer couldn’t be more complicated. Her father had believed her fate was to save her maternal bloodline, but as far as she knew, there were only a few of them left. And they were still being hunted. However, the answers were supposed to be in Wanatoga.

  Why her father believed that, she wasn’t sure. She’d deciphered most of the journal, but there were words she still couldn’t find. It was frustrating, to say the least.

  “Honestly, Chatan, I don’t have a clue.”

  “Why not?”

  She let out a laugh. “Because it’s not that simple. My father believed I was meant to do something. As much as I want to believe, my mother doesn’t. I don’t even understand what I’m expected to do. And maybe I’ll never find the answers.”

  “But you’re here, looking.”

  Her head cocked. “What do you think you know?”

  He lifted a single shoulder. “Your father must have had a reason to believe you’d find something here. You aren’t the first person who’s come to look for something, though it’s been years. I think you’ll find what you’re meant to find.”

  “And what makes you think that?”

  “Determination. Yours, specifically. You’re driven. And I admit, I’m curious as to why. But I won’t pry.”

  “What do the others look for?”

  “Answers, mostly. I never knew the questions, but I understand they find what they need.”

  “What if they don’t know what they need?”

  “Sometimes that makes it easier to find.”