The Jaguar Star (Tales of the Were: Jaguar Island Book 4) by Bianca D'Arc (e book reader android .TXT) 📗

“I was wondering if they’d let that thing get close to the heart of Monty’s power,” Ren said as they watched the vampire’s adopted human family move off with the dangerous object in the box. “Wise of them to be cautious.”

“What will become of that?” Katrina wanted to know. “I mean, if it’s so dangerous, how will they deal with it?”

“There are ways to defuse the magic in objects,” Ren told her. “I’m no expert, but I’m sure Monty has access to such information, and it’s just possible that some of his adoptees have a bit of human magic of their own and can do the job. If they can’t, I’m sure Monty can call in a favor and get a bit of help with it if he needs it.”

“Examination will come first,” Clive put in, coming up to stand on Katrina’s other side. He’d brought up the rear of the group that had returned to the castle. “I’ve heard they can tell a lot about a mage by examining his or her work. Somebody had to have put the whammy on that blade for ol’ T.J. From what I saw, he was just the muscle. He’s no mage.”

Ren looked over at Clive with interest. “I hadn’t really thought about that yet, but you’re right. It would be good to know who was pulling T.J.’s strings.”

“They’re questioning him as we speak. Once Sonia gets in on the interrogation, I’m sure they’ll find out right quick who put him up to this,” Clive revealed.

“I’m not entirely happy about not being in on the interrogation,” Ren mused as he escorted Katrina up the steps, Clive still walking on her other side.

“Your first duty is to your mate,” Clive said with no hint of rancor, and Ren sighed.

“I know that. It’s just an adjustment,” Ren replied after a short pause.

“If you want to go, I’ll be okay,” Katrina was quick to say.

She didn’t want to hold Ren back from anything he wanted to do, even if she’d rather have him with her than in danger. Especially since he’d been hurt so badly just a little while ago. She wanted to keep him around and make sure he didn’t overdo anything until he had recovered more of his energy.

Ren’s arm came around her waist, tugging her close as they entered the castle. He leaned down and placed a quick kiss on her temple.

“You won’t get rid of me that easily, kitten,” he told her playfully. “This being part of a couple is still new to me, but I’ll get the hang of it. You’re a blessing I never really expected to find, and I’m not letting you go. Ever.” He echoed her promise from the woods about not letting him go, and the significance wasn’t lost on her.

They took their leave of Clive and the others, heading up to their suite. Ren was moving a bit slower than usual, and Katrina decided the first order of business would be getting him to rest a bit before dinner. They had a couple of hours, at least, and she wanted him to spend it quietly, recovering.

When, after a quick shower, Ren didn’t argue with her about laying down for a while, Katrina did her best not to let her concern show. When Ren pulled her down onto the bed to lay next to him, she squawked only a little before setting into the curve of his arm. The fact that they both fell asleep astounded her when she thought about it later, but then again, they’d had one hell of a day.

Dinner brought news Ren was eager to hear. He’d recovered most of the way from his magical wound earlier in the day, and a good meal would go a long way to helping him regain his strength. Sonia had questioned the prisoner and made her report to them all as she swept into the dining room after the meal had already started.

“Sorry I’m late. Our friend T.J. had quite a tale to tell once I freed him from the compulsion that brought him here in the first place,” Sonia announced, taking her seat at the opposite end of the long table from Monty.

“He was under compulsion?” Monty asked, one eyebrow raised in question.

“Without doubt,” Sonia confirmed as one of the human staff brought her dinner. “He has no memory of the past three weeks. His last memory is of being in a car wreck near his home in Virginia. He has no idea how he came to be here in England, and no clue what he’s been doing.”

“You believe his story?” Monty asked as everyone listened closely.

“I do. He was under my own compulsion to tell the absolute truth.” Sonia poured herself a tall glass of water from the pitcher on the table and took a long swallow.

“Then, there can be no doubt, of course,” Monty conceded. “What does he know of the mage who forced him into this course of action?”

“Very little, I’m afraid,” Sonia answered, shrugging elegantly. “There is some information we can follow up on, and I’ve already asked the Hilliards to lend their considerable skills to the hunt. They’re working with Rufus and his people to see if they can trace Mr. Cochran’s trail and connect the dots a bit more. For now, I’ve put him to sleep magically. With your permission, I’d like to get him back to the States quietly.”

“You want to let him go?” Monty asked, his tone and expression unreadable.

Sonia shrugged again. “We’ll await the findings of the investigation, but my gut says this man was being used and was not willfully in the employ of our enemies. My inclination is to gird him magically against ever being duped into such an action again and let him go back to his regular life.”

“Can this be accomplished without leaving a three-week hole in his memory?” Monty seemed contemplative, as if he was testing out the idea.

“With the help of some of the shifters