Bound (Legacy Series Book 4) Read online

"Who's plan?" I leaned up on my elbow, facing her. She kept one arm around me and one hand on her curved belly.

  "The others."

  "What are they planning?"

  "To lure out the leech."

  "Will it work?"

  "Yes."

  "And you don't like it because it involves me."

  "Yes."

  "You're sure about the voodoo magic?" I ran my index finger over her bottom lip. It drew her attention to me fully and she licked my fingertip.

  "Yes." She rolled over, knocking me backward until she was on top of me, her knee nudged mine apart as she knelt between them.

  "You're one-wording me again." I let her move me as she wanted and dropped my hands back on the pillow, mimicking the submissive posture she'd displayed in the past.

  "Yes." She leaned down to kiss me but stopped midway to look down between us. Her stomach pressed mine and she froze.

  "What?"

  "Something's wrong," she said, both words mingled with heavy breaths. Her panic shot through me like searing pain, catching me around the middle.

  "What, baby? Look at me." I sat up on my elbows as she remained above me, preventing further movement.

  "Inside." She paused and looked at me, the panic faded. "Something happened."

  "Are you having pain?" It's way too early, she can't be having the baby now.

  "No, it was something else," she said as she moved off me to sit on the bed.

  "Like what?" I shot up to kneel beside her, placing my hand on her stomach. "Where?"

  "Everywhere. I don't know." Vanessa put her hand on top of mine.

  I used my left hand to scan the way my mother had taught me. Nothing seemed out of place. I pressed gently on her belly and something pressed right back, offering me a firm little kick. I smiled but Vanessa's panic returned as sharp as before.

  "That." She gasped and her nails dug into my hand. "Something happened."

  "The baby's moving, Ness." My words brought her no solace. "It's normal. She's supposed to move at this point in your pregnancy. She's getting bigger a lot faster than human babies do."

  "Moving." She breathed out a sigh of relief. "I'm an idiot."

  "No you're not, Vanessa. Don't say that." I kissed her cheek and she dropped her head on my shoulder. "You're the most anxious person I've ever met, but certainly not an idiot."

  "You're the most anxious."

  "I'm the most avoidant these days."

  "You used to be anxious."

  "Maybe you've absorbed all my anxiety." I grabbed her hand and moved it around her own stomach to where the baby kept kicking me. "Quiet and feel."

  Vanessa settled as she felt the baby kick outside and inside at the same time. Her expression changed with each kick. Her brow wrinkled with worry, smoothed in some sort of shock, and finally cooled to a satisfied acceptance. I watched, and felt, her go through the emotions. Hadn't she realized there was a live being inside her? I couldn't help but wonder what the movement felt like from the inside.

  "I think she likes you." A single tear streamed down her cheek as she met my gaze again.

  "I think she likes both of us together." I kissed her tear and she smiled. "Did she kick your liver or something?" I joked.

  "Kidney, I think." She sniffled and finally relaxed.

  "The baby is real, Ness. A real live person in there that you created. She's going to keep growing and surprising you."

  Was it the innocence that made this moment so endearing or that Vanessa and I were finally starting to understand each other? I couldn't tell which, but I imagined it was a little bit of both.

  "We need to think of a name for her," she said, her eyes lingering on mine.

  "Yeah, baby, we do."

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  "So you all have been making plans behind my back, I hear," I said as Vanessa and I joined the others in the kitchen. Mom stood beside the sink with her arms crossed over her middle. Her gaze locked on the floor as if deep in thought. She didn't look up when I entered.

  "Dia think it's the only way." Adia nodded at me as if I knew what she was talking about.

  "We need to use me as bait, right?" I glanced between them.

  "Not exactly bait," Caden said. "Just to draw her out."

  "I don't like it. Vanessa doesn't either," said Mal. Vanessa nodded.

  "None of us like it, bro."

  "Is anyone gonna admit it if they did? Gee, I really enjoy the idea of sending Shawnee into the line of fire with nothin' but some fast feet." Xany huffed. "But I have an idea."

  "What's that, Xee?" I asked.

  "I'm going with you." She grinned, bouncing in place.

  "Was there ever any doubt?" I smirked. "Where are we going?"

  "The most natural place for a doctor," my mother finally spoke.

  "Back to the hospital." I nodded, taking a deep breath.

  "It's where everything began. Where she first showed up to confront you. She'll do it again. Leeches, even ancients, are predictable at times," Caden said.

  "How are we going to get Xany in there with her? We can protect the perimeter, get the Sept on the security team, but how are we going to get Xany in close proximity to Shawnee?" Mal didn't like the idea of sending his sister in there anymore than he liked sending me, at least according to the emotions he kept sending through our connection.

  "A patient maybe?" Adia suggested.

  "Patients get moved around too much," I said. "That won't work."

  "Custodian?" Caden suggested.

  "Maintenance folks don't make a habit of hanging around doctors."

  "Well who does?"

  "Nurses, duh. I'll be a nurse!" Xany bounced up from her chair. "That's it."

  No one objected and all eyes fell on me.

  "It could work. I can call the administrator today and tell them I'm ready to return but with a nurse of my own recommendation. I'm pretty sure Brooke will understand after my ordeal." I smirked. "I can play the damaged card."

  "You're not damaged." Vanessa frowned at me.

  "I'm definitely damaged, baby." I laughed a bit. "But it's to our benefit these days."

  "For now," my mother caught my gaze. The serious nature of her demeanor had me a bit worried. She didn't like this plan, or any plan that put me closer to danger. But like Caden said, none of us like it.

  "We've got to do something," I said, to my mom and everyone.

  "The leech will return. And you two got to get a piece of her. Hair, skin, blood, whatever you can. If the cat is right, it will help us with the voodoo magics." Adia nodded in Vanessa's direction.

  "She has a name, Adia." Xany frowned at the tiny Shaman.

  "Cat is easier." Adia looked in Vanessa's direction. "Vanessa."

  "How are we supposed to get a piece of her? The last time I got close enough she dragged me into an ambulance and willful-napped me," I said.

  "Willful-napped?" Xany giggled. "What the hell Nee?" I opened my mouth to remind her of my willingness to go with the leech when she raised her hand to stop me. “Don’t even try it again. Napped is napped.” She waved me off while continuing to laugh.

  "You will have to be clever then," Adia said. "Hair is easiest."

  "Thanks, Adia. I'll think of you as I'm tearing out leech hair," I said.

  "Good." A wide smile spread across her mouth.

  "You're awful cheerful for a conniving Shaman, you know that."

  "It's part of my deception." Adia made a stern mocking face.

  "Careful, I've got two feral mates and a feral mother who might have a go at you if you keep making me the central focus of your plans."

  Adia glanced around the room and smiled.

  "You can stick me in there as well, mates," Gavin chimed in from his perch beside Xany. "A white boy like me shouldn't set off too many alarms."

  "That's not a bad idea," Caden said thoughtfully.

  "Custodian." Mal nodded to Caden.

  "That way we'd have all facets covered. Nurse, custodian, security. Al
l of these people could be in the emergency area at any given notice and Gavin is a scent Ileana hasn't been around," I agreed.

  "Do I have to wear those awful green scrubs? Can't I get one of those cute little nurse dresses with white stockings and garters?" Xany perked up at the latter.

  "Blue scrubs," I said. "It's more your color." I glanced over at my mates as they casually nodded to each other. Vanessa shrugged once and took a seat at the table. Mind talkers.

  "There is so much of it. I'll get over heated and pass out from my skin being smothered," Xany whined.

  "I think you were a cat in another life." Gavin blinked at Xany then twitched his nose.

  "You think so?" Xany giggled. "You gonna revive me if I suffocate?"

  "I think that's what the doctor's for." Gavin laughed. "I got me an American job."

  "Don't get too excited. Our minimum wage is a joke," Caden said as he stood up and began dialing his phone.

  "I should go phone the hospital. This could take a few days to set up," I said, taking a deep breath before heading off to the clinic.

  ***

  Two days later, I found myself back at Stormhill, this time with Xany at my side.

  "Remember, Xee, you can't assist any other doctor no matter what they say. And try not to touch people, we can't have your empathy gift getting wild and evolving like mine did. This place is filled with humans. I haven't spotted a Breeder or Changer here," I muttered to Xany as we settled in to my office. Brooke bugged us with paperwork for nearly half an hour prior. "And the assistant, Beth, is pretty nosey. So… yeah. I think that's all the warnings I've got for now." I tossed on my lab coat and stethoscope. I'd be a fool if I didn't admit I was nervous, scared even. I didn't want this to go awry like our last plan and I certainly didn't like the idea of luring an ancient vampire back into a hospital filled with humans.

  "Don't be worried, NeeNee. Make sure you keep that gun hidden." She poked around the shoulder holster Caden had fixed me up with. He secured the smaller gun with a few clips of wooden bullets under my scrubs.

  "Does the coat hide the extra bulk?" I turned in a circle for Xany to get a better look.

  "Yep. Too bad I couldn't fit a crossbow down my pants."

  "That'd be a bit much. I can't believe I have a gun in a hospital. This is insane, Xee. How did we agree to this?" I took a deep breath as cold feet settled in my shoes.

  "Because it's the right thing. We always do the right thing." Xany patted the bottom of her leg where she had a wooden stake strapped to each ankle. I had one strapped to my right leg. The odds of getting to it in time were pretty slim.

  "The right thing has been getting werewolves killed for centuries."

  "And soldiers."

  "And healers."

  "And innocent people, and animals, and plants." Xany tapped her lip.

  "Maybe someone should reconsider the definition of 'right thing.'" I smirked.

  "Hmm… Nah." Xany grabbed my arm, tugging me to the door. "C'mon, you're back to being a doctor."

  "And you're a nurse." I swatted her hand but stopped as soon as we entered the hallway.

  "This place stinks like clean and dead people," Xany muttered as we walked to the emergency room.

  "How can something smell like 'clean and dead people' at the same time?" I tried not to laugh.

  "I don't know but it does." Xany giggled but her attention shot in the direction of Beth who hopped up at our arrival.

  "Doctor T! You're back." Beth hugged me around the neck and I returned it, patting her awkwardly on the back. "Who's this?"

  "This is Xandrea," I said as the embrace ended. "She's a new nurse. Tonight's her first round at Stormhill."

  "Oh hey, I'm Beth." She extended her hand, a friendly smile playing on her lips. Xany shook her hand though I cringed, awaiting the words that would tumble from her lips, expecting the worst.

  "Oh you're the nosey one." Xany giggled as she let Beth's hand go.

  "Did Doctor T tell you that?" Beth shot me a glare but I couldn't tell if it was playful or not. "She probably said so because I asked her about the hot trio she's got going on."

  "Oh dear god, here we go," I muttered.

  "It is, isn't it? Well except for part of it being my brother." Xany scowled.

  "Wait… hot sexy man who brings me food is your brother?" Beth's eyes lit up. "Do you have another brother by any chance?"

  "This was the worst idea ever," I said, to no one in particular but Beth laughed.

  "Nope it's just me and him." Xany nudged me with her elbow.

  "Aw man. Do you guys live close?" Beth looked between us.

  "Some of us have work to do around here." I gave up and sorted through the inbox on Beth's desk.

  "All in the same house." Xany nodded.

  "Wait… all of you in the same house?" Beth looked between us, completely ignoring the fact that I tossed some work on her desk. Please someone come in with a severed foot or something.

  "Well Nee, Nessa, and Mal have one room while TB and I have our own right next to Ana's who really doesn't sleep in there much."

  "Girl, why haven't we met sooner? It's like a soap opera. Doctor T, you share a room with both your partners? That must be hot." Beth eyes gleamed with mischief that matched, and maybe even topped, Xany and Vanessa's combined.

  "Xandrea should be more careful about gossiping at work. You wouldn't want to contribute to her getting fired," I said with my best possible poker face.

  "It's not gossip, Doctor T." Xany giggled. "It's a fact."

  "Oh stop it with that stone face. There's not a single patient in here." Beth waved me off. "So, does it get super hot in that threesome room?" Beth wagged her brows. Images of… well, just that flashed through my mind and my cheeks betrayed me as heat rose in my face.

  "Just once." Xany shrugged her shoulders.

  "Xee." I clenched my teeth. Who would I smack first? I should have thought about this duo together.

  "Yes?" Xany looked at me all innocently.

  "Stop answering her questions about my sex life."

  "Someone's gotta answer them." Beth dropped back in her chair and propped her feet up on her desk. "Is it your fault this place is crawling with security lately? It's not often doctors get kidnapped by their stalkers."

  "I didn't give details, geesh." Xany smiled over at Beth. "She's just special that way."

  "Super special." I smirked at the two of them. "I think the two of you are related somehow."

  "We're psychic sisters." Beth grinned. "So… about those details."

  "Maybe when she's busy and can't spank me." Xany snickered.

  "Wait…" Beth looked between us. "Have the two of you hooked up, too?"

  "No! For Pete's sake, Beth. What do you take me for?" I spat under my breath. Her eyes widened but she didn't seem all that surprised by my reaction.

  "I've seen her naked."

  "Xany, you are not helping. At all."

  Xany just grinned at me as she went over and plopped her bottom down on Beth's desk.

  "She's got two hot partners. I can't imagine. Not to mention she's gorgeous herself." Beth spoke directly to Xany. The two of them didn't seem to require me as part of the conversation about my life. "I can imagine what Mal's like. I wonder what the sexy redhead is like…"

  "She's worse than Mal at times."

  "Worse how?" Beth asked as I signed off on some labs. I put my pen down and listened to them. I didn't know whether or not to be furious or entertained. In a way, it was like Xany was talking to herself in a mirror. Except her reflection was light-skinned.

  "When Nessa's in the mood she doesn't care who is in the room with them."

  "Really?" Beth gawked.

  "Oh yeah." Xany nodded, gesturing as if saying, "Of course."

  "Hey, that's some awesome ink," Beth said, her eyes lingering on the glyph on Xany's forearm. I held my breath. Xany could handle this, not to mention that I was grateful the subject changed.

  "It's a tribal thing." Xany held
out her arm for Beth to see.

  "It looks more like a birthmark." Beth ran her finger over it. "Like scratch marks."

  "Like I said it's a tribal thing."

  "Looks good." Beth leaned back, seemingly satisfied with the response. "You got any ink, Doctor T?"

  "Oh, I'm back in the conversation now? Nope. Can't say I do." I lifted a brow at Beth who offered me a sheepish smile. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gavin enter the foyer with a mop and bucket. He began wiping down the floors.

  "The new maintenance guy is really cute. Have you heard his accent?" Beth eyed Gavin with a dreamy smile.

  "Oh, him. He's got two girlfriends over in Ireland all knocked up. That's why he's over here."

  "Two? That's awful. He won't knock me up, that's for sure." Beth continued to stare at him.

  "What are you doing?" I mouthed to Xany. She looked from Beth to Gavin then to me drawing a line across her throat with her finger. I had no idea what she meant. "Well since the ER is quiet, I think I will show our new nurse the morgue. See you later, Beth." I pushed away from the desk and walked off toward the stairwell.

  "What's a nurse need to see in the morgue?" Beth called after us but she was out of earshot just in time, saving me from having to answer.

  "Do dead guys really have boners?"

  "Sometimes." I glanced over my shoulder at her then pulled her into the stairwell. "Why'd you tell her all that stuff?"

  "She asked. Besides it kept her from asking me all manner of things that we can't explain right now."

  "Fair point. Do you think she's a Breeder? Could you sense anything from her when she saw your glyph?"

  "Possibly. She did touch it a little longer than normal. But I don't think she knows anything even if she is one." Xany shrugged. "Unlike you who lied about it for a hundred years."

  "Mal's met her and Caden, too. He met her while I was with Ileana. Do you think he'd know?"

  "Of course he would know. Did you ask him?"

  "I didn't think to." I leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. "I don't feel safe here and I think I'm grasping at straws."

  "We're gonna be fine, NeeNee." Xany gave my forearm a gentle squeeze.

  "Who told you about what happened with my mates? Vanessa wouldn't have cracked that easily," I said and led her back to my office. The other doctors didn't hang around and socialize while there weren't any patients, so I didn't have to either. Beth had said that I was kidnapped by a stalker, is that the story they told the administrators?