Burden Of Blood (14 page)

“Okay, then who warned Ronald?” asked Nicole.

“Someone who knew where you and Luke were headed,” chimed in James as he pushed the button to lower his bed back down.

Nicole stared at Luke as she processed James’ words.  The list of people who knew they were heading to Birmingham was small.  Everything happened too fast for word to get far.

A soft knock at the door caused Nicole to jump.  Her nerves of steel had faltered the past few days.  Luke walked over to the door, opening it a small bit before letting the guest inside.

“Hey, I thought y’all would be hungry so I picked up breakfast.” Kat stood in the doorway holding two bags from some restaurant Nicole had never heard of.

Nicole’s heart sunk as she thought about her best friend being among the people who knew her whereabouts the day James was stabbed.  She didn’t want to think it was possible for her best friend to betray her, but her police instincts told her she wasn’t above suspicion.  Unable to approach the subject, she just smiled at her friend as Luke took the bags from her.

“Thanks Kat.  You’re up early today.” Luke talked as he pulled foam containers out of bags and placed them on a small table in the corner.

“I’ve not been sleeping well.” she shrugged her shoulders dismissively.  “I thought y’all would need fresh clothes and bathroom supplies so I packed a few things for you.” she walked over to James and laid a hand on his shoulder.  “I hope you don’t mind but I used the spare key to get in and I also watered your plants while I was there.”

“Thank you Kat, you’re very thoughtful.  Laura would roll over in her grave if I let her plants die.  She loved those things.” James chuckled, then grimaced in pain from the movement.

“It was no trouble.” She pulled the blanket up over him as he settled into his pillow.

Nicole didn’t know what to say to Kat or how to approach the subject with her best friend.  She knew it was going to hurt Kat if she asked questions about what she did after Luke and she left to rescue James.  A large lump formed in her throat causing her to swallow hard.  Surely her gift would have clued her in if Kat wasn’t what she seemed.

“Kat do you have your cell phone with you?” Luke asked.  When Kat started digging around in her oversized purse, Luke gave Nicole a quick wink.

“Yep, here.” she placed a small pink phone in Luke’s hand.

“Thanks, I need to check in at the police department but my phone is dead.” He placed his hand on the door handle then turned back to Nicole.  “Don’t leave this room while I’m gone, okay?”

“Sure, no problem.” Nicole wanted to follow him outside so she could ask what he was up to, knowing Luke had charged his phone yesterday, but she forced herself to stay.  She did not like leaving the fate of her friendship in his hands, but she didn’t have a choice.

Kat placed a plate of food in Nicole’s hands then she sat down with one of her own.  James had fallen back into a comfortable sleep.  The medication made it hard for him to stay conscious for more than a few minutes at a time.  They sat eating in silence as the heart monitor drummed out a slow steady beat.

“So what’s bothering you?  And don’t try to tell me nothing because we have been side by side for far too long for you to lie to me.  I know you too well.” Kat gave her a soft smile then took a bite of her scrambled eggs.

“I’m just stressed out.  It’s hard when you know someone is lurking around waiting to clip you.”

“Did y’all figure out what Ronald wanted with your dad?”

“Seems it was a plan to lure me to Ireland but we don’t know why.” Nicole was hesitant to divulge any more information.  She needed to be sure Kat was still the friend she knew and loved.  She concentrated on listening for any signal from Kat’s mind that would tell her to beware.

“Ireland, what the hell is there?  You’ve barely been out of Alabama.  How could someone know you in Ireland?”

Nicole shrugged her shoulders.  The sound of Luke opening the door stopped her words in her mouth.  He laid Kat’s phone on the table in front of her, and then uncovered a plate of food.

“Well?” Nicole eyed Luke trying to coach cryptic information out of him as he dug into his breakfast.

“Not anything to tell you.  There hasn’t been any information on Ronald yet.  They are still trying to find out who tipped him off.  They called the car rental place and got his cell phone number so they can trace all the calls.  Now all we can do is wait.” he sighed, then went back to eating.

Nicole wanted to ask for more details but she knew it would have to wait until they were alone.  Sure, she wasn’t getting anything from Kat’s head but that didn’t really mean anything.  Kat may not be thinking about it right now so she wouldn’t be projecting thoughts for her to hear.  Nicole let out a long frustrated sigh as she leaned back in her seat.

Kat reached over and put a hand over Nicole’s “Don’t worry, honey.  I’m sure they will find him and this mess will be over soon.”

“She’s right.” said Luke.  “You have me here to help you watch out and you have a loyal friend in Kat.  Between the three of us I think we can figure this out.”

His words sent a twinge of relief through her heart.  He must have been able to check Kat’s phone records and found nothing.  A small smile played across her face as she processed his words.  She met Luke’s eyes only to receive a cocky grin and a sly wink back.  Maybe she could learn to like this guy after all.

Chapter 9

“Okay Dad, ease down on the bed slowly.” Nicole helped James get comfortable in his bed.  She was glad to have him home.  After almost a week of being locked up in that Birmingham hospital, she was missing the country air and tranquility of her small home town.

“I’m fine, baby, stop fussing over me,” James made a shooing motion with his hands.  A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes.  “Go on, I’ll be all right.  I’m gonna take a nap, then I’m going fishing.”

“Oh no you are not!” Nicole poked a finger in his direction and put her other hand on her hip.  “You’re staying close to me until that crazy man is caught.”

“Easy girl, I’m sure your dad’s kidding.” Luke was standing in the doorway holding a suitcase in each hand.  “Where do you want me to put these?”

“Just set them down,” she huffed crossing her arms over her chest.  She knew she was overreacting to James’ joke but she didn’t care.  Ronald was still lurking around somewhere.  It is hard to relax when you have to be aware of everyone around you at all times.  She wanted to strangle Luke for having such a casual attitude about everything.  Sure, he was some kind of magical warrior but still, Ronald had already taken her dad once and managed to escape.  There wasn’t going to be a round two if she could help it.

“Nicole, I’m fine.  I want to rest a bit.  When I wake up we’ll sit and talk everything out,” he leaned back into his pillows and closed his eyes.  He shifted a few times to get into a comfortable position.  The bandages bulged under his shirt as he moved.

Nicole took in James’ pale face.  His color was only slightly better than the day he was stabbed.  The lines around his eyes seemed much deeper than she remembered.  Thinking of what he had been put through made her heart ache and her eyes start to prickle with tears.  She reached down and pulled the sheet up around him.  “If you need anything just holler.  I’ll be in the living room.” She pushed by Luke who gave her an innocent look as she passed.

She walked into the living room and sat down heavily on the sofa.  She laid her head back and closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment to forget all of her troubles.  “Things will get better,” she told herself.  The cushion depressed next to her as Luke sat down.  She turned her head to the side and cracked her eyes open to glare at him through the slits.

“What?” he asked throwing his hands up in the air.

“You know you can go home now, right?  You’ve been a wonderful friend but you don’t need to stay with us around the clock.”

“No, I’m not just your friend.  I’m your warrior,” he said putting emphasis on the word “warrior”.  “That doesn’t end.  Plus I promised James I wouldn’t leave you alone,” he crossed his arms over his expansive chest.

Nicole’s anger began to boil inside.  She wanted to be left alone.  No bullshit about magical fairy warrior drama, no bossy man shadowing her every footstep, just plain, old, boring country life. 
Where did things go so damn wrong? 
she thought, rubbing her temples.

“Luke, you did your part.  If the jerk shows up, well, I am a trained police officer.  I’m sure I can handle him.”

“You need to rest.  How are you going to sleep and watch out for Ronald?”

She was silent. 
How am I going to keep a watch?  I’m so tired now I can barely hold my eyes open. 
Thinking this over, she watched as Luke’s face changed into a smug look of “I told you so”.  He laced his fingers together behind his head and leaned back into the sofa.  The cocky move was all it took to cause the cork to pop, allowing her anger to escape.  Her body turned hot as she gritted her teeth together.

“You arrogant
...
”

“I think it’s about time I teach you how to get control over that temper of yours too.  I don’t think James is gonna be happy when your tantrums burn his house down,” he nodded toward her hands.

Nicole glanced down and jumped up off the sofa.  Two scorched spots on the cushion marked where her hands had been resting.  She took a deep breath trying to push away the anger.  “Damn it!” she yelled as she shook her hands trying to put them out like burning matches.  “Why can’t things go back to normal?  I’m sick of this shit!  I didn’t ask for this.”

“Well, you better get used to the idea,” he stood up, looking her in the eyes.  The muscles in his jaw were flexing with tension and his hands were clenched tight.  “You are part of something ancient and important.  Something your ancestors died trying to protect!” he reached his hand forward to touch her arm but stopped himself.  His eyebrows drew together and he lifted his chin high so he was looking down at her.  “Many of my brothers died protecting what you have inside of you.  Do not act like your power is a burden!” He walked out the front door letting it slam behind him.

Nicole jumped as the door banged against its frame.  Confusion and frustration jumped to the front of her mind along with a large slice of guilt.  “Wonderful, now Luke’s pissed at me.  How much better could I make things?  Nice job Nicole, way to go!” she stood staring at the closed door with one hand on her hip.

“Way to go you stubborn ass.  What’s your plan now?

Nicole turned around to see her dad holding onto the door frame with one arm wrapped around his stomach.  She dashed over to help him, guiding him to a worn, oversized recliner.

“So you plan on learning all this on your own or are you going to keep ignoring your gift and hope it goes away?  Neither one has been a good strategy so far but hey, if you think being an ass to the only person who can help you is a good thing, then do continue,” he gave her that wise and sarcastic parental stare she had always hated growing up.  Then he waited, letting the silence stretch between them as he settled into his chair.