Page 15 of Fae Devoted
The odor of light camphor met Johnnie’s nose, revealing the partial untruth. What else was Abby holding back? “Is Conlan a Jumper?”
Abby’s brother came to physical blows with Samuel after finding Abby living on the island and in the midst of the Mating Dance with an Alpha. During the resulting chaos, Johnnie couldhave sworn Conlanpoppedin and out of existence faster than she could follow.
If Abby was the only Rip Walker, was her sibling’s magic the more common kind? Or was Conlan born without magic and considered human? And where was her brother now?
“I’ve already revealed too much as it is.” Abby worried her lip and turned her head toward the door where the warriors charged with her protection waited in the hallway.
How much danger was her sweet friend facing if she didn’t trust the Guard?
Johnnie wasn’t the only one who noted Abby’s apprehension.
“Are you safe here?” Penny asked.
“Príoh Walker would never allow anyone to hurt his mate.” Although Johnnie didn’t have all the details, she had the utmost faith in her clanmates and her Alpha.
“I guess I imagined she was kidnapped under wolf boy’s hand-picked guards’ noses?” Penny lifted her groomed eyebrows, placed her wine glass on the coffee table, and stood. Gathering her curly hair into a sloppy bun, she plucked a hairband from her jean pocket and secured the wild mass. “I suppose Abby was vacationing on Rosemary Beach working on her tan for three weeks?
“Hop and Evelyn weren’t to blame,” Abby insisted. “I never should have left the island in the first place.”
“I’m callingmybrothers.” Penny picked the fallen catalogs from the floor and stuffed them into the discarded carryall bag before reaching inside to retrieve her cellphone. “They’re professional ass-kickers and have contacts from their days in the Army.”
“You can’t tell anyone about the Na’fhuil.” Abby’s scent flooded with anxiety.
“I would never betray you, but you’re not exactly lying low as a príoh’s Ca’anam and Queen Rose’s stylist and PA.”
“Samuel will protect me.”
“Logan’s buddies were in Military Intelligence,” Penny said, referencing her oldest sibling. “He can call in a few favors and find you a less conspicuous place to stay until this blows over.”
“I’m afraid it isn’t going to blow over.” Abby grimaced. “At least not anytime soon.”
“Another reason to be as far away from the magical community as fuckin’ possible,” Penny insisted.
“It’s my fault your family is involved in this mess at all. I won’t drag them in deeper.”
“My brothers might drive me insane sometimes…okay, most of the time. But they’re all good men, Abby. You can trust them. I swear it.”
“But I can’t trust the military.” Abby eyes glistened. “I was fifteen when my parents died, and my magic manifested. Someone from the US government came to the hospital and forced me to leave the state. They took me to a place where I was trained to use my newfoundskillsfor their benefit. I…I missed my parents’ funeral.”
“Oh, honey.” Penny rushed to Abby and bent to wrap her arms around her neck. “I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t know what a halfblood Walker’s magic can do or what the future holds,” Johnnie leaned forward and clasped Abby’s cold hands. “And I have no idea the level of danger you’re currently in or have dealt with in the past. But you’re truemated to Alpha SamuelWalker,Abby. The príoh of ClanWalker. That can’t be a coincidence.”
All Ferwyn believed in fate. How could they not with the miracle of a Ca’anam? How couldJohnnienot since meeting Jacob? Penny’s concerns were understandable, but no one would keep his mate safer than Samuel. No one.
“Fine,” Penny conceded on a drawn-out sigh that turned into a yelp as Abby twisted to throw her arms around Penny’s narrowwaist and squeezed. “But I swear, if wolfy doesn’t step it up, he’ll be dealing with me.”
“And nobody wants that.” Abby’s tone was solemn, but her lips tipped into a grin.
“Damn straight, girlfriend.”
Chapter 5
His cellphone dinged,and Tucker stopped at his front door to retrieve it from the pocket on his thigh.
Dinner tonight? I’ll cook.
Bracing a hand on the wood siding of his covered porch, he tapped a response to Jo’s text.I may have to work late.
