Sitting back at the table with his mate, Logan asked, “Any questions?”
“Any type of shifter, right?” Dylon asked Logan, as he pondered the gift.
“Any, but so far, mostly as a dragon.”
“Okay,” Dylon said, “so that leaves you, Dakota. Was pregnancy the only gift you received from the Fates?”
Anxiety was setting in again. Dakota had spent his life hiding who he was and his gift was tied to his persona. He hadn’t used Shadow Voice because it would require being an empath again.But what if my gift would help save my mate?All his confusion was causing another panic attack and Dakota’s instinct to flee was overpowering—until he felt Kieran’s hand on his leg and the infusion of love.
“Dakota,” Kieran said softly, “do you want me to explain? Would that be easier for you?”
“You know?” Dakota asked.
“I knew the moment I met you,” Kieran said.
“Do you know my gift?”
“Yes, my spirit told me,” answered Kieran. “Dakota, you have a role to play in saving Slate…don’t let your courage fail you now.”
“But I’m not brave, not without my mate. He made me brave,” Dakota whispered, tears filling his eyes.
“Shush, sweetie, that isn’t true. You are the bravest of all,” Kieran murmured, giving Dakota a hug.
Wiping his tears away, Dakota glanced down at the hand on his leg, feeling the love flowing from Kieran; he knew he’d never forgive himself if he could help save his mate but did nothing. “Please, Kieran, would you explain?” asked Dakota.
“Yes I will, but if you want me to stop, let me know, okay?” Kieran said, and after Dakota nodded, he began. “Dakota is an empath and his gift is Shadow Voice.”
“Shadow Voice?” Dylon asked, abruptly leaning forward in his seat. “Dakota, you can hear people’s thoughts?”
“Yes he can,” Kieran answered for him, “but because of how Dakota suffered growing up, the Fates tweaked the gift by linking his empath ability to it.”
“What exactly does that mean? Can he hear thoughts or can’t he?” asked Dylon.
“Down, babe, let Kieran finish,” said Cody.
“Yes he can, but only when he chooses to. The easiest way to explain it…it’s like a light switch. Flip it up and Dakota can feel a person’s emotions and hear their thoughts; flip it down and both emotions and thoughts are blocked out.”
“That’s fantastic!” exclaimed Dylon, “I’m going to need…”
“But there’s more you should know,” Kieran interrupted. “Dakota is the only shifter to possess both empathy and Shadow Voice making him extremely rare. Just as you were given power to protect Cody and Logan was given power to protect me, the Fates did the same for Dakota, especially to protect him from those who would use him for illegal activities. That’s why the Fates joined Slate and Dakota’s life forces together, so they are now one.”
“What does that mean?” Cody asked, already afraid of the answer.
“If Slate dies, so will Dakota,” answered Kieran.
The room was silent until Cody spoke. “I understand that, but what else happens when life forces are joined?”
“They each have part of the other inside them and they possess the certain qualities of the other, for instance, Dakota has Slate’s physical strength while Slate has Dakota’s tolerance to pain,” Kieran explained.
“Dakota, do you share a mind link with Slate?” asked Dylon.
“Yes, but he hasn’t answered me,” Dakota said.
Logan studied Dakota, remembering that scene long ago in their kitchen, his father’s rage when he discovered Logan was gay. From that time on, Dakota had gotten the worst of it; his father’s overpowering hatred—every hour, every day, every year—would have flooded his kid brother’s mind until he could feel nothing else.
How the hell could Dakota survive all that and still remain gentle and loving? He was sure Dakota never realized how important he was to his brothers, especially after the massacre, when he became the center—the heart—of the Blackwood Pack. He was always there, taking care of them, making sure each was okay. Loganhad figured out a long time ago his brothers survived and began to thrive, simply because Dakota always knew when someone was troubled and rushed in to offer comfort. Kieran was right, Dakota was the bravest of all of them. “Dylon,” Logan said, his eyes still on Dakota. “Call Oracle and ask her exactly what kinds of connections Dakota and Slate share. If my brother has what I think he has, he’ll be able to help Slate until we can rescue him.”
“Will do,” Dylon said. “Let’s go back to the dude who works in the kitchen. Groose has his schedule and when he leaves work today, he’ll be picked up and brought up here so I can question him. However, I doubt he’ll say anything…which is where you, Dakota, come in. I need you to read his mind as I question him so we can find out where Slate is. Is that all right with you?”
