Damali nodded and put a little distance between them. He was glad that she did, because what he'd told her was the na**d truth.
"All right, you two lovebirds. Break it up. Let's figure out how to get old Cain some juice to send him packing with Carlos, and figure out how to get this team to La Paz." Rider sighed and stretched his back.
"Well, let her think it over, Rider," Carlos said calmly. "It's ultimately her decision. There's been nothing but chaos, everybody's nerves are on edge, wire tight, arid Damali, man, after that fantastic healing, I know she needs a moment to just be still and not have to be pressured into a decision."
Carlos almost hollered and did a Superbowl touchdown jig when she closed her eyes, nodded, and quietly whispered, "Thank you."
He casually returned his attention to Damali and then looked down at the floor. "Either way, just like that time I messed up by taking us to Gabrielle's... which was never my first choice, and it was wrong, I can at least get us out of the country on some old favors... can stretch a little por favor, if that's okay by you? But it's up to you. No pressure."
"I'm not still angry about that," she admitted quietly. "Hooking up with Gabrielle, and keeping the other half of our team safe... was probably one of the best strategic moves I've seen you make, Carlos. I'll go with La Paz as your first hunch."
Now she really had turned him on. She'd openly complimented him before the group. Had sat Cain's ass down into a chair in slow, temporary defeat. So, it was time to make a bold move and address Cain eyeball to eyeball.
Carlos nodded. "All right, but you sense the next move, okay? Your instincts are razor sharp." He meant that, but also needed to slice Cain a few more times for the affront of even trying to encroach on his household. "Just like back in Philly" he murmured, making Damali remember all the challenges they'd faced and conquered together. "You saw the flags on the parkway; you can do the location divinations with the stones we got in Africa. Go with your gut, keep a mind lock with me as I go to the other side with him, and I'll meet up with the team when I get back. I'll be all right."
He glanced at Cain. That's right; she'll be locked with me the whole time I'm with you!
A searing message came back at him, although Cain's peaceful, resigned expression never changed. I will batter her mind until your weak lock gives way and crumbles to dust!
Really? You think you can break a lover's hold --I kept a lock with her through the fires of Hell, motherfucker, while on your damned father's torture chamber wall! Harpies couldn't break it. Your punk ass can't, rest assured.
"You all right, baby?" Damali whispered.
"Yeah. I'm all right," Carlos said, catching himself and breaking the connection to Cain. "I'm just figuring out how to get him juiced enough to break the barrier again." Carlos rubbed his chin to hide the smile cresting on his face, and ran his tongue over his incisors. The bastard had almost made him drop fang.
"You know what?" Carlos said after a moment, factoring everything Yonnie had said into consideration. This had to go down smooth and it was time to take a wild risk. "You two are linked."
Damali's eyes widened. Cain offered him a half-smile. Carlos could feel the anticipation brewing within Cain. The brother thought he was going to get sloppy again, the connection having spiked blind rage. Never happen.
"You need to go to him, sit outside under the moonlight with the rod, if you're not too tired, maybe pull down some nature energy from the universe and give it to him. Just see if the healing staff can give him enough juice so he can make the journey. Over here, he can't replenish himself. I don't know if he needs to bust a grub, drink some water, or needs a blood hit, comprende? If he needs a blood hit... aw'ight. You can give it to him for the mission. You're right. He has to go back strong, has to be able to--"
"I do not need a blood hit," Cain practically shouted, making all eyes turn toward him.
"It's cool, man. Been there. No shame in the game. And Damali's got pure silver running through her, conductive element. Oblivion, brother. Will melt you down to the atomic level and put a velocity topspin on--"
"I said," Cain replied, slowly standing, losing all facade, "I do not need a blood hit."
"Aw'ight," Carlos said calmly. "You hungry? Inez can cook, right Mike?"
"To consume earthly food when about to journey will make me sick!"
Carlos had to chuckle as Damali swallowed a smile and Inez's hands went to her hips.
"I can cook, now, brother. What you trying to say?"
Big Mike got up and stepped between Carlos and Cain. "Baby girl can cook. So--"
"Stand down, brother," Carlos said, laughing, trying to keep the false peace. It couldn't get any better than this. Cain had offended the Guardian team? Man... "He's just edgy. Jonesin' in this atmosphere. You can't hold it against him." He quickly turned to Damali. "Walk your boy outside, okay, baby? Sit on the ground with him. Put the rod in the earth and summon energy for him before he loses it. I've been where he is. I can see it in his eyes. He needs to go back home after a battle lust and chill. Drain a few bottles... ya know."
"All right," Damali said slowly, picking up the staff. Total confusion and disbelief engulfed her face as Cain stormed out of the house with all Guardian eyes behind him. "You sure you're okay with this? The process of exchanging energy like that is really intimate."
Carlos cupped her cheek. "I trust you, baby. It's a necessary thing. I'll stay in here with the team while you work, I'll eat, regroup to be sure I have enough energy to roll with Cain, I'll make the calls, and I'll get everything ready with Yonnie for the transport to La Paz. Don't worry. I'll make sure they put y'all in a real fly hacienda. I'm cool."
She put her hand on her hip and looked at him hard. "You sure you won't come out there and start no mess?"
Carlos opened his arms, seeming shocked. "Would I do something like that?"
CHAPTER THIRTEEN