Page 100 of Siren’s Secret

“Someone tried to kill me?” She didn’t know why that surprised her. Kidnapping, sure, but murder? She wouldn’t be useful to anyone if she were dead.

“Maybe. But as a stormbringer, you are classified as a pretty strong female, mate.”

“But—” She cut herself off before the words could spill out. Irishen’s eyes flickered back to Marc and then to her. “Lalwe root.” She tried to convey the importance without saying too much.

“It’s a sedative, according to Ilijas. Or poison in large enough doses,” Marc said, misunderstanding her tone. Irishen was searching her eyes, but he didn’t have all the pieces. She was torn between asking Marc to go so they could talk and wanting to burrow into his embrace, where she could believe he would keep her safe.

The choice was taken from her when the door blew open and Jarred rushed in, followed by Ilijas and Hellion. One moment, her gorgeous Claimed was rushing toward her and the next, a huge jaguar tackled her. All three of them went tumbling down on the bed, since Marc refused to let go of her and rolled with them.

He nuzzled her neck, seeking out the claiming mark before licking all over her face. Wave couldn’t help but giggle helplessly as she buried her hand in his fur. The layers of water and electricity dissipated with her laughter.

“Glad to see you are feeling better,” Ilijas said, breaking into Jarred’s purring and her giggles.

“You are crushing her,” Marc huffed beneath them both and earned a low growl from Jarred.

“No, he’s not,” Wave immediately defended him.

“Fine, whatever,” Marc replied, his arms tightening around her waist.

“Hellion said you had some questions?”

That sobered Wave up quickly, and she gently nudged Jarred to the side. The jaguar rolled over and Marc pushed them back into a sitting position. Damn, his abs were hard as rock, and then Jarred’s head landed in her lap. Apparently, the jaguar demanded affection. Or maybe he sensed that ruffling his ears and stroking his fur helped her to stay calm…ish.

The jaguar kept up a low purr and nudged Wave’s hand every time her stroking slowed down. In their bond, she sensed him trying to calm her, but she couldn’t shake the tenseness. She dug her fingers deep into his fur before turning to look at Ilijas.

“The substance… you are sure it was lalwe root and nothing else?” she asked quietly.

“I am,” Ilijas answered. “All the symptoms match to it, and that’s what my powers identified.”

Wave sagged against Marc while she clung to Jarred. Irishen squeezed her knee, and she wasn’t sure if it was to reassure her or to make sure she didn’t bolt right that second.

“I don’t get what they think they would get from attacking you with it, though. You were unconscious, but whoever the assailant was, left you behind,” Marc muttered, sounding agitated now. “That doesn’t match if someone was trying to kidnap you.”

“The dose was high,” Ilijas said, frowning. “But it’s a pretty roundabout way to kill someone. There are better, more efficient poisons.”

“Who would want her dead?” Hellion snapped.

“She is the acknowledged stormbringer heir apparent now,” Ilijas said, with an apologetic glance at Wave. “That puts a target on her back.”

“But what’s the angle?” Hellion argued.

Wave tensed at that. She couldn’t tell them she had a pretty good idea. Jarred purred louder and Irishen kept stroking her leg.

Diversion. She needed a diversion before Hellion dug in too deep and got too close. “I could use that shower,” she said and, as if on cue, her stomach gurgled. “And food,” she added. Everything would be better with food.

Chapter 50 – Irishen

Irishen tried to rein in his temper. A large part of his irritation came from the way Wave felt in their bond and he wanted everyone out so he could ask what it was about lalwe root that was disturbing her so much.

He got up from the floor. “We have more of the soap Diana made. You should wash with that, just to be sure.”

“Good idea,” Ilijas said.

Irishen threw a quick look of thanks to him before continuing. “What would you like to eat?”

“I’d recommend a soup to start. Maybe chicken?” Ilijas said.

Wave turned to Ilijas, looking morose. “Soup?”