Page 12 of Shadows of the Soul

Perhaps if I’d given in the first time, he wouldn’t have chased me. His beast might not perceive me as a challenge. The danger with Hudson wasn’t that I didn’t like him. He was a tall, handsome, dark drink of sexiness and he made me feel feminine, an almost impossible feat when I could flatten most males and break them into tiny pieces. There wasn’t much to not like, and that was the problem. If I let him in, even for a minute, then I might fall, and my senses were screaming he wouldn’t be there to catch me. He’d been living on my grounds for three months, calculating, assessing, plotting. Hudson had an entire country of shapeshifters to lead, yet his focus was on me.

Dangerous Dave chose that second to storm through the front door. His gaze narrowed on us, and Sheriff Robertson trailed after him. Oh boy, the pack’s head of security and the town’s sheriff meant one thing. There’d been a murder. Guilt gnawed at my mind for wishing for it not more than five minutes ago. The universe listened when I wished for murder, but ignored me when it came to Hudson. Typical. Sebastian trotted up the steps and entered the house behind them. The Vampire Prince of America had graced us with his presence. Now it was a party.

The buzzer sounded, and I shot to my feet. Hudson spun in his chair and eyeballed the newcomers. Dangerous Dave jerked his head at me to follow them outside. I hurried by Maggie with an apology and swept past the sheriff. Sebastian put his hand on my lower back and ushered me into the night. My arms wrapped around me as I shivered. Hudson, Dave, and the sheriff followed, the latter closing the front door behind him. The driveway was empty. No van, so no body.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, spinning to face them.

“It’s your Aunt Dayna. She’s missing,” Dave stated.

My brow furrowed as ice flooded my veins, my gut churning with worry. “How do you know?”

Dave darted his gaze away. “Aunt Liz called when she couldn’t reach you, and asked me to look in on you.” He and Aunt Liz were talking directly? Hmm.

“And why are you here?” I asked the Sheriff.

“I got a request to complete a welfare check on you from your aunts.”

I put my hands on my hips and glanced at Sebastian.

“And you?”

He pinned Hudson with a look. “I’m here as your wingman.”

Hudson folded his arms. “We agreed you would give her space, allow the effects of your blood to dissipate.”

“You agreed with yourself,” Sebastian shot back.

“Stop,” I shouted. They fell into silence. “My aunt is missing. Why would I need a welfare check?”

Dave dug into his jeans pocket and produced his phone. He shoved it at me. “Because in the note left by the kidnapper, it demands you as the ransom item. Forty-eight hours, Cora, then they start shipping your aunt to you in pieces.”

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Blood and Virgin Sacrifices.

It was four in the morning. The sun was threatening to turn night into day, and my reception room had emptied of supernatural singles and been replaced by the supernatural elite.

“Why would the kidnapper want you?” Dave asked.

I crossed my legs onto the sofa. “Easy. They heard I’m psychic and assumed I’m a precog, because most people do.” My palm drifted over my stomach, the phantom ache persistent as I recalled the last time someone decided I could tell the future. That pain had been replaced by the sensation of Hudson’s lips on my skin.

“How would they have found out?” The armchair creaked as Hudson leaned back. He followed my hand with a frown.

I shrugged. “These things have a habit of getting out. Three months ago, only my family and two friends had this knowledge. Now, that’s expanded.” I let the accusation hang in the air. Hudson and Dave stiffened.

“You’re questioning our integrity?” Dave snarled. Oh boy, touchy subject. Cora Roberts, expert in diplomacy.

“I’m pointing out that a close circle of people knew for many years with no issues. Then the shifters stick their noses in my business and suddenly I’m being targeted.”

Dave shot to his feet and pointed at me. “You’re a hypocrite.”

I cocked an unamused brow at him. “How?”

“I know–”

“Dave,” Hudson snapped. “That’s enough.”

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