Trace: Follow His Destiny (21 page)

***

They called everyone that could help and had a plan. Quin and Jaden were leading the men to Denver to search the town. When Trip ran into the room.

“It’s Lagon. He just showed up at the gate in a Cadillac with Hope and a woman, he’s asking for a stretcher. They are bringing them to the medical floor.” Cami screamed and ran for the door ahead of Trip who was closer. She flew up the stairs, burst into the medical room, and looked around wildly. Anyone who knew better got the hell out of her way when her gaze fell on her daughter. Sobbing she ran and scooped her up, whispering in her ear, “I love you, Hope. Thank the Gods you are safe.

I love you.”

“Where is the woman?” she asked a nurse. And the nurse pointed over at a curtained alcove.

Cami walked over where she could hear what she assumed was some colorful language.

She couldn’t understand a word because it all seemed to be in Spanish. She opened the curtain.

“Hello, are you all right?”

Bama looked over at the woman clutching Hope in her arms with tear tracks on her face.

A few moments later two large men came rushing into the room to stand behind her.

“Por favor, I apologize for my language in front of the little one. I will be fine,” she said, though she knew she wouldn’t be, she’d most likely limp the rest of her life, if she walked at all. She’d torn her Achilles tendon and even with immediate surgery, things did not look good.

Cami gave the woman a long look. She didn’t know them, had never met the council or have any ties to them and yet she’d put it on the line and single-handedly saved the life of the Old Council Seer and her precious daughter. “Don’t kid the kidder, sweetie, I want the straight scoop.” Bama couldn’t answer her because she’d only understood one word in three.

However, the doctor heard Cami and came over, at Quin’s request he explained.

“Now I understand why you were cursing, that’s a tough break. Jaden, would you go get Jo for me?”

“I’m way ahead of you, mon amour.” As he turned towards the door with a smile, in walked Lagon carrying Christian and Cassandra.

“They insisted I bring them here, they said Hope called them to help her eagle.” Bama lay in the bed and wondered if she’d wandered into an asylum, there was that big wall and those gates outside. Then Lagon came over to the bed with the two children and then two more people came crowding in.

Lagon put the babies on the bed near her feet. The babies started to glow.

“Dios Mio, are they okay?”

“They’re just fine,” the new lady said. “They’re my twins, I’m Jo, and this is my mate Tey. Give it a minute and you’ll see.” And she did, all the stress and worry seemed to flow out of her along with her pain, replaced with warmth, calm and love. Then she felt tingles flow up her feet and through her ankles. She gasped at the toddlers and stared, their parents smiled and Hope laughed and clapped her hands.

The two babies then crawled up and touched her hands and fingers and the tingles started there and went to her wrists. Suddenly she knew she was healed, and she laughed. She looked over at the doctor, who made his way to the side of the bed as Jo and Tey took the babies and held them in their arms. After a few minutes, he looked up.

“Good as new, those two are going to put me out of business,” he joked and they all laughed.

Bama looked over at Cami and Hope and smiled. “Never have I been so richly rewarded for doing my job.” She looked over at the other babies. “Muchas gracias, Christian, muchas gracias, Cassandra.” She turned to their parents. “If you need anything of me, just ask, it is yours.”

Then Lagon spoke up. “You should watch what you say with these two; you don’t know what you’re getting in to.” And they all laughed.

Bama sat up, “Well I’m taking up space that may be needed by someone else. Would it be possible to have my suitcase brought in? I’d like to shower and change my clothes.”

“Of course, after your shower, come down to the conference room. We’re planning to attack the rogues tonight and would appreciate your input as you’re the only one that seems to know exactly where they are.”

Bama then gave them all a wide grin. “If you have the right equipment, you can tap into the cameras and recording devices I planted there earlier, you can find out exactly what they’ve been up to.”

“Damn, I knew I liked this woman,” shouted Lagon.

Jo turned to her, “If you’ll come with me, I’ll help you get settled.”

***

An hour later, Bama was showered and changed. Since she was now completely healed, she decided to dress up. So she put on a colorful, silk blouse and a white, high waisted, pencil skirt. She drew a long chain belt through the loops at the waist to accentuate her curves with the end trailing down. Then added silk, thigh high stockings and a pair of taupe, sling-back high heels. Some discreet jewelry and she was ready to meet the New Council.

She walked into the council chamber just as Quin was answering the phone.

Wanting the other council members to hear, he put the phone on speaker and turned up the volume. “To whom am I speaking?” He growled into the phone.

“This is Graciela Consuela Maria Aguilar Flores, Peck of the Central and South American Parliament of Feathered Shifters. My Ambassador to the New Council has been kidnapped by Braden of the European Old Council of Shifters. We were on the phone with each other when I heard sounds of a struggle and then the line went dead. She shortly escaped the fiends because she is a beautiful and resourceful bird. However, I have not heard from her and I know she was planning to rescue two young ladies named Jordan and Lacy. You must find and rescue my Arjelia and the others, I have sent a wing of Warrior eagles, they will be arriving in Denver this evening,” she finished.

“It won’t be necessary for you to do anything. Your Ambassador is standing right in front of me. The rescue was a complete success, though she didn’t rescue two ladies, she rescued my baby daughter,” he finished.

At that point, Bama stepped forward and in rapid Andean dialect said, “There is nothing to worry about, mama, I will be working with the council to bring justice to Braden. We are beginning our planning now. May I call you in the morning?”

“Sí Arjelia, you know how I worry.” And she hung up. Bama turned to the group. “My apologies, no matter how old you grow, your mother is still your mother.” At that point, Jo stood up and stated, “Bama, I can feel you. She must be part of the New Council.” She said to the others.

“No, Señora, I am not one of the Chosen, I was born on the thirteenth, not the first, it is not possible,” said Bama with a smile.

Argus Leo of the Southern Pride and second newest council member gave out a growl to get everyone’s attention. “Putting aside for a moment the fact that Miss Aguilar can see Lagon. Let’s get back to the kidnapping and rescue for a minute. I’ve received a background check on Miss Aguilar. She is the former head of the Central and South American Feathered Army, was educated at Yale, and is the daughter of Graciela Flores, the hysterical bird on the phone a bit ago. My only wonder is why she didn’t know that Braden has been proven a traitor.”

At this point, she began to mutter in rapid Spanish and the only bits Argus could make out were massage, battery, planes, drunk, and cell phone.

“You were drunk, had a massage, killed the battery on a plane, and dumped your cell phone in the ocean?” He asked.

“No, my mother had me make a side trip to our twin city in Nebraska; I had two days of entertainment and drinking with the Mayor and City Council, made a donation to the City Zoo, and then went to Denver. My cell was either turned off, or the battery was dead or I was getting a massage, I’ve never liked having an electronic leash and didn’t make an effort to keep in touch. In this time, various things happened to prevent Mama getting in touch with me to warn me about Braden. It was fate, otherwise I would have come here and not been able to rescue your daughter,” she said smiling at Cami. She then turned back to Argus.

“Okay, I understand, I get mothers. Back to the other, if you are not a Chosen One then you must be the mate of a Chosen. There are only two unmated Chosen, Trace here and he pointed to one of the eagles and the last chosen who has not yet been found.” At this point Trace cleared his throat, “Shane and I feel that Miss Aguilar is our Eagless.” He said.

Bama looked at him and said, “I am Blanca Arjelia Matilde Aguilar, you may call me Bama. However, if you wish to mate with me, you will have to court me in the traditional way.” Dismissing the two eagles and turning back to Cami, she said, “Now there is much I can tell you of Braden, did you have a chance to view the cameras?”

“Yes, why don’t you take a seat Bama and we’ll begin to plan our assault on the rogue warehouse.”

Bama looked around for an empty seat; the only open seat was between the two handsome eagles. Hmmm. She strolled over, preening a little bit, sat down, and crossed her legs.

Chapter 14

Finally, Blaine thought as he walked down the hallway to the room they had at the Bed and Breakfast. It had seemed like an eternity to wait and complete the bond with his mates. The Seer had been nice enough to explain why they had to wait, but it still pissed him off.

Dalton and Kira had been more understanding of the old woman. Smiling and hugging her, while Blaine had stood in the background and clenched his teeth together. Now it just felt creepy. The Seer had to be close enough to transfer her power to them. Hell, if it worked she could stand in the same room. These snippets of the future were driving him nuts.

Surya explained that with sight came great responsibility, that often a vague vision could give more information than a clear one. She looked at them all and spoke about the heavy burden they were taking on. Once she decided they were ready, she shooed them out of the room and asked them to send in her grandson and the pretty mate of his, Sarah.

He reached their door, took a deep breath, and paused. He wanted this to be perfect.

He wanted this to be the night they would always cherish. In the midst of all of this mess that was going on around them, they would have a few hours of peace and calm.

Things were being taken care of. Everyone in the house knew if they disturbed them they would risk life or limb, so he knew they would not be interrupted. He opened the door and smiled. They had made the room up; well Dalton had made the room up. This was his thing. Blaine sniffed and smelt vanilla and honey scented bath wash, it was Kira’s, she must be in the tub relaxing.

He stepped into the room and looked around. They had a king size bed in the middle of the room before but it was a normal hotel type bed, with two nightstands and two dressers. It was all very basic, but this room was anything but.

A chandelier hung from the ceiling turned on low so it twinkled and made little spot lights all over the room. He looked at the bed. It had been turned into something out of an Egyptian dream. Bright colored pillows and a silk multi colored blanket. The mesh draping and all seemed to be hung in the air around the bed. He could see there were plates of food sitting around. There was fruit and what looked like chocolate sauce and maybe whipped cream. He grinned. Dalton loved to use food.

The rest of the room was filled with small tables of flowers and soft music being played in the background. He could see the effort that Dalton had put into this and loved the man even more. It was crazy how he could irritate him one moment and the next do something like this that amazed and humbled him.

Dalton appeared in the doorway of the bathroom, he wore a silky robe and pants; they were in a multitude of colors, green, yellow, and blue. It was sexy, it made him look exotic. Blaine smiled at him and stalked forward with the intent on kissing his mate silly.

Dalton held out his hand and shook his head. “Not until you are comfortable.” Blaine stopped and frowned. He was comfortable; well I guess he would be more comfortable if he was naked. His straining cock was pushing against the zipper in his jeans, probably leaving a mark. He had gone commando this morning in case he had to shift; now he was paying the price.

Dalton rolled his eyes, “We have something nice for you to put on, and don’t argue. Kira deserves this.”

Blaine’s eyes narrowed and looked at his mate. He never gave him credit for being even slightly romantic. Granted he wasn’t really, but he did try. “Fine,” he grumbled and then walked to the bed where things were laid out for him. They were matching robe and pants to Dalton. He was not much in for color, usually wearing black, but he refused to disappoint either of his mates.

Sliding his shirt off, he sighed when Dalton came up behind him and ran his hands over his shoulders and back. He loved his mate’s touch, and he gave a great back rub, when Blaine was stressed. Blaine turned and pulled Dalton to him and kissed him deeply, making sure he felt the love he had for him.

Dalton reached and unbuttoned his jeans and helped him slide them off slowly so they didn’t hurt his straining erection. “Someone is a little anxious I see,” Dalton teased and Blaine chuckled.

“Been like that since I had the visions of when I could finally claim you. Damned uncomfortable too,” Blaine growled and then pulled on the pants and robe with Dalton’s help smoothing it over his muscles and tying it in the front for him.

Dalton stepped back and smiled. “Nice.”

Blaine snorted and kissed Dalton again.

“Hey, I’m supposed to be in there somewhere,” Kira said from the doorway to the bathroom. Blaine turned and sucked in his breath at the sight of her. She wore a floor length gown that was the same blue in their pants with a cream lace overlay. She looked amazing. Hell, they all did. Blaine wondered if they should snap a picture with all of the dressed up for their bedroom wall. It would be perfect in their new house. He began to think about where everything would be placed in their bedroom and how it would look.

Every morning he would look at the picture and smile.

“No thinking OCD tonight,” Dalton drawled.

Blaine laughed and bowed his head in acceptance. Kira came to stand next to them, ran her hand up both of their arms, and sighed. “I am so blessed. I love you both so much, I never thought this day would come. I never realized how much I missed the connection that the others had. I mean we are connected. I can feel you, but I think after tonight it will be more. And I can’t wait.”