“I don’t have any defenses other than a deadbolt.”
Jared nodded. “Exactly. It’s been kicked in. We scared them off before they could damage your house, but you’ll need a new door.”
Kat growled. “Why can’t people just leave us alone?”
“Excellent question. Any answers?”
“Someone wants me dead,” Rance offered as if stating a fact and not recently escaped being hunted in the woods.
“I’ll see about the contract being rescinded.” His grim expression told Kat the hit would be canceled or else.
“Why would you do that for me?” Rance asked.
Kat thought it was a valid question.
“My brother is mated to Kat, and Kat is fond of you. I’m trying to get on my brother’s good side. What better way than to ensure his mate and sprout are safe?”
“Why?” Rance asked.
“Because sometimes you need family, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a powerful Blood Mage, and I’d like him to owe me.”
“Ah. That makes sense but might not be the best way to grow trust,” Kat said.
“Maybe not, but I’d rather he owes me than vice versa.” Jared’s smile involved way too many sharp teeth.
It was one thing to claim he was doing this out of the goodness of his heart. It was more believable that he had an ulterior motive.
“Follow me.”
After exchanging a look, the pair followed Jared. They hadn’t gone far before Rance stopped. Three yards in front of them was a beautiful clearing beside a stream. Older trees created a protective ring around the lush grass, and wildflowers popped in between the blades like a fairy carpet. The teenager took off his shoes and wiggled his toes in the soil. Little roots shot out from the sides of his feet and slipped through the grass. After a silent minute, Rance beamed. “This is it.”
“Are you sure?” Kat asked once he got past the amazing transformation. He badly wanted to see Rance’s tree.
Rance nodded. “This is a good spot to put down roots.”
“Got the coordinates,” Jared crowed, waving his phone.
“Great, one thing down.” Kat’s relief of having one less item on his checklist was immeasurable.
“I parked beside you. Follow me home, and I’ll call Xavier and let him know I have you.”
Kat bit his lip as he considered their options. “Do you promise you aren’t going to hurt us?”
“I promise,” Jared said solemnly.
Kat heard nothing but sincerity in his words, but that didn’t take away Jared being a crime lord. “All right. We’ll follow.”
Maybe he should make a run for it.
As if reading his mind, Jared walked around the cars to join them. “I think we’ll have to make certain.”
Before Kat could unravel Jared’s words, his arm transformed into a snake and bit him.
Everything went dark.
“Wakey, wakey, kitty cat,”a man’s voice sang.
“Ugh.” His mouth tasted like cottony swamp water. Don’t ask him how he knew this. It brought back too much childhood trauma. He blinked several times before Jared came into focus above him.
