Page 106 of Legacy of Danger
This little incident sure answered his earlier question. What woman wanted a relationship with a mentally unstable, alcoholic, transient, possible adulterer dragging around a suitcase full of guilt who, oh by the way, had a goddamned cloud demon, or whatever the hell that thing was, threatening him and anyone he hung around with?
As Vaughn galloped up to the main ranch, Garrison ran to open the gate. Farther away, Kerr and Eric bolted out of the house.
"Shelby said something had happened," Garrison called out.
"Fucking monster tried to kill Mariah."
"Son of a bitch."
Vaughn grimaced against the blistering headache. "Just help her down, would you?"
"You bet." As Vaughn unlatched her death grip from around his waist, Garrison tugged Mariah off the horse and eased her to the ground, keeping an arm around her.
Damn it all if Vaughn's power didn't resent his brother touching her. This power, this entire situation, was out of control on so many different levels.
Leaping off the horse, Vaughn then swung her up into his arms and rubbed his cheek against her forehead. "Mariah, it'll be all right."
No answer.
He strode into the house, ice pumping through his veins. The pounding in his chest matched the rhythm of her rattling teeth. She had to be okay.
He eased her into a kitchen chair. Her pupils had gone pinpoint, her eyes wide and lips pale.
"Does anything hurt? What about when you fell?" He chafed her cold hands.
In a jagged, cog-wheeling motion, she shook her head. "What was th-that thing?"
"We don't know, but it wants to destroy us. Shit. Once I know you're all right, I'm taking you home, okay?"
With Odie close behind, Ruth appeared and quickly checked Mariah over. "She's in shock, but her condition is improving. I don't believe anything's broken. Probably some bruises."
Vaughn's own body ached for any injury Mariah had sustained.
"What the hell are we supposed to do?" Garrison gritted out.
Shelby entered on crutches, wincing. She must be receiving a hell of an emotional blast from everyone around her.
Ruth pushed to her feet, studying each of the siblings. "Is this thing what you shot at the other day?"
"Yes, ma'am. We said it was a bear, but it was a... creature. It's also what attacked Shelby and Eric," Vaughn added.
Ruth and Odie exchanged a glance.
"Old news." Garrison smacked the table with his fist. Mariah jumped. "Sorry," he muttered.
Vaughn stood next to her, resting his hand on her upper back, needing the constant connection. He shook his head, trying to clear the static that had affected his hearing since he pushed that thing away. He had to concentrate to make out what everyone was saying. "It said it wanted all of us," he muttered. "Together."
After a resigned shrug from Odie, Ruth cleared her throat. "Maybe together, you all have the ability to destroy that thing. But together, you all are also vulnerable to attack."
"Holy catch-22, Batman. Got any information we can actually use, oh Magic 8 Ball?" Kerr barked what passed for a laugh. Then he stared at the nurse. "Wait a minute. Ruth, it sounds like you know more. Do tell."
She glanced behind her at Odie. "I know things."
Garrison opened his mouth like he wanted to take off the woman's head with his retort, but Shelby interjected, "It's true." Eric hovered while she hobbled over with her crutches and sat down in a chair. "Ruth somehow knew that I could adapt my power to help Eric."
As Vaughn scooted a chair over and sat, draping and arm around Mariah, his power, pulsing, staked out a ten-foot sphere. Ruth and Odie backed away several steps.
Kerr whipped his head up. "Dude, is that what you meant about your ability changing?" He put an arm up like a shield. "Because you need to stop that crap."
