16
Sam
“Humans are so weak,” Marv said as I grabbed for Anna.
I growled at him as I lowered her to the floor. I brushed back her hair and laid her gently on a pillow. “She is the strongest person I’ve ever met.”
“The effects of Gravity are strong in you.” When I glared at him, he tossed up his arms. “I get it. The longer I’m out of . . . animal form,” he grumbled, “the more I’m dying to find Faye. It’s driving me crazy. My brain is still hazy. Whatever power those bastards have it’s strong.”
“And Audrey is chasing after one of them.” Guilt ate at me. I had been delayed in my mission. If I hadn’t had that accident . . . If I hadn’t met Anna . . .
Marv rubbed at his hair. My anger for him melted. I imagined losing Anna now that I had found her. I would go to the ends of the universe for her, or go mad trying.
“What do you need from me?” I asked.
“I need to find her sister and I need to neutralize the Montgomerys.”
“I didn’t know I had a sister,” Anna groaned as she sat back up. “Sorry about all that. Information overload.”
“You are strong, my love. But the human form does have its limitations.” I kissed her softly.
“She is your half-sister, I believe. There is much to catch up on,” Marv explained. “Time is running out. I feel her getting further away.”
“A half-sister,” Anna mumbled, staring into space. “And wait just a second. Does this mean my grandparents were aliens? And my father too?”
Marv nodded. “I was notified that there was an outpost way out on this random primitive planet. But almost as soon as I found Faye here with your Grandmother Jean, I was ambushed. Somehow, they knew I had arrived. They knew Jean was hiding Faye and set a trap to end us all. But they only managed to take out your grandfather, which left Jean with little time to find you, Anna, and obviously no time to explain. When our mates die, we are soon to follow. Faye escaped and I was trapped here as Marv.” Marv rubbed at his chest with a frown. “As far as I can tell, the powers are only potent in proximity. So that tells me—”
“Audrey and Charlie are not close,” I finished, my worry growing.
Where could they be? Why would she go after him?The flash of lights, the impact .. . “I was hit when I arrived. I had been in search of you and within minutes I was hit. I can’t remember what happened, but I was hit by something with two bright lights. A man came after me . . .” I frowned and put a hand to my head. The memories caused pain. “I managed to crawl to safety.” I turned to Anna. “I was drawn here. Something brought me toward you.”
Her face softened and she burrowed into me. “I felt it too. I knew I had to go out into the woods. I ignored it at the time, but looking back, I felt the Gravity too.” Her eyes widened and she smirked before turning to Marv. “So that’s why you were out of the barn again?”
Marv shrugged. “The longer I was in animal form, the more I forgot. But I could still sense my brother.”
“What are we going to do about Audrey? Do you think that family has her?” I asked.
“We have to hope we find her before they do,” Marv said grimly.
“And what about your m—Anna’s sister?” I asked him, feeling pity.
He grimaced. “We have to find our sister first.”
Anna spoke up. “We could go after Audrey and you could find my sister.” She paused, shaking her head. “Man, that sounds crazy to say.”
Marv frowned and looked to my mate. “You would do that for us?”
“Of course,” Anna said. “I’m part of the family now.” She lifted her chin as though she dared him to defy her.
I swept her into my arms and kissed her deeply. She smiled against my mouth.
“I need to find Faye. Now.” Marv glared at us, fists balled.
I pitied my brother. His drive to mate must be driving him mad. To have found his partner and then to lose her . . . the pain must be unbearable. The longer they remained separated the sharper the pain must be, like a metal spring being pulled taut; there was only so much time before it either broke or pulled them back together. I squeezed Anna tighter to me and she hugged me back. Her eyes met mine and she seemed to understand the magnitude of relief that swept over me.
“I love you,” she said. “It’s you and me now.”
“Forever.”
Anna stood and I followed. She turned toward my brother. “We are here to help. Tell us what you need. But first, put on some pants.”
