"I'll keep my distance."
"Make sure you do." He wrapped an arm around her small waist and crushed her against him. Kissed her hungrily, fiercely, claiming her mouth as completely as he'd claim her body later, when they had more time.
The sound of a car starting forced him to pull away. "You'd better hurry and get dressed," he said. "Or she'll slip away. Keep in contact with me."
She nodded and spun away, her h*ps swaying enticingly as she walked into the bathroom. He took a deep breath and forced his feet towards the stairs. Light swept across the windows as Betise backed her car out of the driveway. He headed for the back door, ensuring it was locked before he stepped into the night's snow-filled darkness.
Then he shifted shape and ran for the mansion.
* * * *
Neva padded through the white-cloaked darkness, following the red gleam of taillights. She'd half expected Betise to head for the mansion despite Duncan's warning, but it was clear she was headed home. Which was a little surprising, especially given the heat of the moon. An addict did whatever they needed to do to ensure the supply of their drug, didn't they? So why wasn't Betise out hunting a mate? She pricked her ears as the sound of another engine rolled across the night. It came from behind her, but was headed her way. She leapt off the road and made for the trees, weaving her way through the trunks as the gleam of headlights flickered across the night.
Ahead, Betise turned into the driveway of her house and stopped in front of the garage. Neva paused, her tongue lolling as she battled to catch her breath. If there was one thing she was going to do when this was all over, it was get into shape.
Betise climbed out of her car and glanced back toward the road. The roar of the engine drew closer, then lights swept across the strand of trees where Neva hid. She didn't move, hoping the shadows and the surrounding pines would hide her golden coat.
The lights swept past, then a truck pulled into the driveway and stopped behind Betise's car. A chill ran through Neva. A blue truck. Just like the one that had hit her.
Maybe her accident wasn't an accident after all.
Iyona climbed out and spoke to her daughter. Though the night was hushed, Neva was too far away to hear what they were saying. And she didn't dare move, just in case either woman spotted her.
After a fierce, somewhat animated conversation, Betise and her mother headed inside. Lights shone in the kitchen, and a few seconds later, gleamed from the windows at the far end of the house.
Neva retreated through the trees and back onto the road, following the tire tracks down the driveway so she didn't leave any paw prints. When she reached the truck's tailgate, she hesitated, flicking her ears forward. There was a lot of movement inside the house. Hurried movement. Frowning, she crawled under the truck and out the other side. There she shifted shape, and in human form followed the footprints up the stairs.
When she reached the window, she stopped, flattening her back against the wall before peering carefully in. Through the gap in the curtains she could see Iyona throwing things into cardboard boxes. Neva raised her eyebrows. Were they leaving? And if so, why?
She watched a moment longer, then ducked past the window and jumped off the veranda. She walked the length of the house, keeping to the shadows so her footprints wouldn't be so noticeable. The house was on a slope, so by the time she reached the room Betise was in, the window was higher than her head, and she couldn't see in. But if the sound of things being thrown around was anything to go by, then Betise was either having an almighty temper tantrum or, like Iyona, she was packing. Neva leaned back against the wall and waited. After a few minutes, Iyona appeared, marching toward the truck with a large box.
Neva shifted shape again and hunkered down, the snow cold against her belly. Iyona dumped the box in the truck then went back inside. Several more minutes passed, then Betise came out, backpacks slung over either shoulder and bags in both hands. The lights went off, then Iyona reappeared, carrying another box.
"You got everything?" Iyona's voice was sharp with anger and perhaps a little contempt.
"Yep. Rang the rangers, too, just to let them know we'll be away for a few days." Betise's smirk was easy to see, even from where Neva lay. "They said they'd come by and check the house for us."
Iyona snorted. "That's kindly of them."
"I thought so."
Iyona dumped the box in the back of the truck then paused, glancing toward her daughter. "You sure you want to do this?"
"They owe you. And he owes me."
Iyona nodded and climbed into the truck. Betise followed suit, and the truck was quickly backed out of the driveway. Neva took a deep breath then bounded across the snow covered lawn and began following them again.
* * * *
The mansion was ablaze with lights by the time Duncan got there. There was a ranger stationed at the main gate, and the guards his father had hired were manning the other two. Duncan backtracked and slipped in through one of the tunnels, making his way through damp and rarely used passageways to the medical rooms. He shifted shape as he neared the entrance and hit the switch. The door swung silently open, and Duncan stepped through.
Martin jumped and spun around. "You damn near frightened the life out of me," he grumbled, turning back to the sink to wash his hands. "You'd think those doors would have the decency to squeak and at least give an old man some warning."
"Is René okay?" Duncan left the door open, just in case he had to make a fast retreat. He couldn't smell anyone else close except the doc and his brother, but that didn't mean the rangers weren't nearby. Or even outside the door.
"He's lucky. The bullet hit him low in the shoulder and looked a lot worse than it was. Wouldn't be surprised if the killer thought he'd scored a true hit."
"Does he have to go to the hospital?"