“My mom knows a Pantera healer,” Shawn said.
Silence sliced through the room.A growl escaped Ryan at the thought of El going anywhere near a Pantera healer.
“She’s one of them, they won’t harm her,” Shawn stated.
“Obviously, they don’t all feel that way as attempts on her life have been made in the past,” Trip growled.
“Attempts that I always managed to keep her safe from.I will continue to do so, now,” Shawn snapped.
“Panteras are different, they’re sneaky, and if they get her one on one, there’s no telling what they’ll do—especially a healer!They could impregnate her or worse!”Ryan shouted.
“I’m Pantera, El is Pantera,” Shawn said quietly.
“You weren’t raised Pantera, you don’t know how they are,” Marcus tried to argue.
“My mom is Pantera, and she loves El like a daughter, she wouldn’t bring someone into her home that could potentially harm El.I’m doing this because I just got El, and I’m not about to lose her to childbirth,” Shawn said firmly.
“This isnotjust your decision, Shawn.We are a unit, and we will not be silenced,” Ryan growled.
“This is all moot until I speak with El anyways.I have to go, she’ll be looking for me.I’ll call you back after I’ve told El.It won’t be until tomorrow,” Shawn said, disconnecting the call before anyone could say anything else.
“Well that went over well,” Trip said sarcastically.
“Shawn’s right about one thing, El cannot get pregnant.Not only could we lose her, but also our daughter would live a life of turmoil, danger, and maybe even worse.I won’t allow it!”Ryan ordered, slamming his fist on the top of his desk.
“Should we try and meet with the Pantera leader again?”
“No, I don’t want anyone else to know we know about this prophecy.Shawn seems certain all of the Panteras are aware of it, but I have a feeling only a select few do, and that would explain why they’ve been after El.What we need to figure out, is how they know,” Ryan mused.
“Which comes back to finding El’s mom because I’d say it had a hell of a lot to do with why she left,” Marcus added.
“Let’s try a different route.We have a sample of El’s blood, right?”Trip asked.
“I believe so, yes,” Ryan confirmed.
“Let me have one of my contacts run it through his access to the medical database and see if we can’t find matches that way for El.”
“That may draw a lot of unwanted attention to us and El,” Marcus speculated.
“My guy is good, I wouldn’t even consider it if I thought he’d draw attention to El.”
Ryan thought about what Trip was proposing for a few minutes.He understood Marcus’ hesitancy to do something so drastic, but Ryan knew Trip had connections with people who could be trusted.Ultimately, it boiled down to if it meant answers for El and how to keep her safe, then it was worth it.
“Call him and set it up.”
Chapter 8
El
El slept soundlythe next night, tucked in against Shawn in the small bed.Her first thoughts upon waking though were of her other mates.She missed them more with each passing minute, and the pain from the separation also grew stronger.Shawn’s touch helped, but it wouldn’t be enough to keep her away from them much longer.With a sigh, El knew she was going to have to call.It didn’t matter if they were just too angry to call her or trying to do what she asked and giving her space, El was going to make the first move.
She crawled out of bed and grabbed her cell.With a quick glance to Shawn’s sleeping figure, El snuck out of the bedroom.Shawn’s mother wasn’t up yet either, so she was able to head outside undetected.El went to the mouth of the hiking trail Shawn had shown her the day before and walked just inside the wood line.
El figured Ryan would be her best bet to call since he typically always had his phone around him, but they hadn’t left things on very sturdy terms.It made El nervous.How would she react if he didn’t pick up?Her previous relationships had never worked out and they didn’t have half the drama her and Ryan had.El knew proper southern protocol would demand that she ask him how his mother was doing, but El didn’t care enough to ask, knowing full well that Leilani would never ask about her.
El shook off everything and dialed up Marcus first.He was always the peacemaker and for good cause.He rarely had his cell phone by him, but El hoped for once he’d have it on him now.
After several rings, El was about to give up when Marcus’ groggy voice filled her ears and her heart.Just hearing his rugged tone made her smile.
