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He put his hand on her shoulder, halting her from entering the trees. “Are you all right?”
She sniffed, holding back the tears.
“No. I just got an innocent man killed.” She looked toward the forest. “I just wanted a minute away from the craziness. Being a shadow is no picnic.”
Raine put his arm around her. “I’m sorry if I upset you. That wasn’t my intention.”
She gazed into his iridescent blue eyes. He held nothing back from her. His love. His conviction. His passion. He was a gift she no longer deserved.
“Why? For telling me the truth? Stern is dying, and I got him killed. There’s no softening the truth.”
Raine kissed her temple. “While your decisions may have led to his death, this is a war. There will be innocent casualties. If it’s any consolation, I hope he survives. You have to remember that transitioning to the shadow world means dying first. His human life is over.”
She nodded. “I know. Even if he survives the transition, I took away his choices. I still killed him.”
“Most transitioned shadows accept their new life in time. We don’t know the circumstances of Stern’s human life. Colton has men checking into his background. We’re researching his military career, but so far, there’s no evidence of a wife. We take one step at a time.” He touched her face. “Something else is bothering you. It isn’t just Stern. What is it?”
Dannika put her hand on his side. “With the attack, we didn’t get to discuss it, but Gavil told me I have an elite bloodline and don’t know my true power. That Killian will unlock my destiny.”
Raine searched her face. “While it appears Killian has some background information about you, Gavil is a foot soldier in the reaper army. I doubt he has accurate intel.”
She clutched his shirt. “I thought of that. I don’t think Killian ordered Gavil to attack me. Killian would have wanted to drain me himself. I think Gavil lost control at the shelter.”
Raine pulled her against his body. The warmth seeped into her soul, bringing light where there was darkness. “Killian should know better than to send a fledgling reaper. They have little control at the best of times. If your human blood was special, there was no way Gavil would possess the willpower to resist.”
The wind moved her hair across her shoulders as if mother nature caressed her skin. The breeze, light and soothing, was in complete contrast to the train wreck in her heart.
“My blood was more toxic to the reaper, but it had no effect when I was human,” she whispered.
“I know. It suggests that Killian is correct about your lineage, but it wasn’t activated till you transitioned. We have to discover what it is.”
“I’m human. I mean, I was human. How could my lineage mean anything in the shadow world? Even if I’m related to Steele, what difference would it make? How would that explain my blood?”
Raine pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “It wouldn’t. There’s more to this than who you’re related to. But having the blood of a Raymond would explain Killian’s fixation with you.”
Dannika’s eyes widened. “My last name is Ray. It’s a short form for Raymond.”
Raine shook his head. “That was pretty obvious, and we missed it. You’re definitely a relation. We must unearth your relation in the family tree and why your blood is so unique.”
He pulled her with him as he walked. “Colton assigned me a small house close to his in a grove of trees. It’s just over the rise.”
She took his hand, content to pretend they were a normal couple walking through woods. “I like their homes. They remind me of when I was a kid, making secret forts amongst the branches of our maple tree.”
He laughed. “I imagine you were quite inventive. It’s just up here.”
The tree house was similar in construction to Colton’s, though smaller and nestled beside other trees. Dannika relaxed into Raine’s shadow as it enveloped her, whisking her up the tree through a quick pathway. The wrenching of her bones was so brief she didn’t become disoriented as the open living room turned from grey to a mint green. With tan couches and simple artwork, it reminded her of a summer cottage. A tiny retreat where a loving couple could have a weekend getaway.
Raine inspected the single bedroom. “Your stuff isn’t here? Where are you staying?”
She glanced out the window. “I have a room at Colton’s.”
Raine’s eyes flickered with blue fire as he stalked toward her. “You are mine, Dannika. I will not tolerate this arrangement. Maddock had no right to trade you to the cougar clan.”
She held up her hands. “It’s not like that. I’m in a different room. I told you I feel the need to protect him, and he feels the same about me. Maybe it’s because we’re both connected to Steele. If you plan to fight about this, I’m going back to Colton’s.”
Raine grabbed her arm when she turned away. “You are mine and it’s about time I proved it to you.”
His mouth crushed hers, scattering any sane thoughts from her head. She recognized the low mewing sound, shocked it came from her own throat. Her cat was every bit as enthralled with her sexy shadow mate as she was. Despite the fear, the uncertainty, the pain her actions had caused, she couldn’t stop touching him. His kisses were like a drug, invading her soul, binding her to him with each masterful caress. The simple cotton top she wore felt like sandpaper against her skin, chafing her nipples.
