The fairy told her when danger was coming. Instinct. Animal awareness, as had been explained in the interviews she had seen with the Feline Breeds. It developed in the young and only grew stronger as they matured. The fairy told her when their enemies were close. Instinct. She could smell them, just as Dash could smell the proof of her parentage. The fairy always knew the things that Cassie was training herself to accept and strengthen.
She pushed against Dash’s chest, wiping at the tears on her face, fighting for control. He wouldn’t let her go. He held her to him, knowing she wanted to run, to hide not just from Grange and the truth, but from him as well.
He had claimed her. He had already informed her of that fact. He wouldn’t let her go. She remembered Callan Lyons’ interviews. His fierce protectiveness of his wife, Merinus. The determination to see her safe at all costs. His eyes had blazed when he spoke of her and she had seen a man who would kill to save his woman. As Dash had done. He had killed to protect her and Cassie. How many more would he be forced to kill now? The thought of that, the danger to not just her child but to Dash as well, was destroying her.
Chapter Thirteen
“Let me go.” She pushed against his chest again as Mike and Serena left the room. “I have to check on Cassie. Please, Dash. I have to check on her.”
He let her go slowly as she fought to dry her face, to stem the tears still rolling from her eyes. She
couldn’t go in there like this. Cassie would wake up. She always knew when her mother was upset, when she was crying…
God, let her be asleep. She rushed to the room, somehow knowing Cassie was awake. She was. Sitting up in the bed, her own face wet with tears as she clutched the teddy bear Dash had bought her at the diner. Her frail shoulders were shaking with her tears as she rocked to and fro. Silent, heartbreaking sobs that destroyed Elizabeth. How much had her daughter heard?
“Cassie?” Elizabeth realized she was shaking, trembling from head to foot as her daughter raised her head, shame and fear contorting her little face.
“I’m not bad, Momma,” she whispered desperately. “I swear, Momma. I swear, I’m not an animal. I’m not.”
“Oh God.” She felt faint, in shock, seeing the truth in her daughter’s eyes as she huddled so miserably on the bed.
Elizabeth rushed to her, pulling her into her arms, feeling her daughter’s thin little arms wrap around her as sobs shook her body.
She couldn’t breathe. Elizabeth fought the dizziness wrapping around her as she rocked the little girl, fighting the hysteria edging into her mind as Cassie’s panicked voice echoed around her.
“I’m sorry,” she was screaming against her mother’s breast. “Momma, please. I’m sorry.”
“Cassie.” She fought her own tears as she pulled her daughter back, staring into the little face, seeing so much pain, so much realization of the cruelties of the world. “Why are you sorry, baby? Cassie, you haven’t done anything wrong.”
“He said you won’t love me.” Cassie was shaking so hard her teeth rattled. “Said I was an animal. Said I needed to be penned. That you wouldn’t want an animal. And you don’t like puppies. Or even cats. And he said you wouldn’t want me.”
Cassie’s hands were clawing at her neck as Elizabeth stared down at her in such overwhelming shock she feared she was losing her mind. Cassie was screaming, crying, so hysterical Elizabeth knew she would make herself sick soon.
“Enough.” Elizabeth shook her firmly. “Cassidy Paige Colder. That is enough.”
She used the voice Cassie called the ‘no chocolate’ voice. Firm, chastising, guaranteed to grab her daughter’s attention.
Cassie’s eyes widened, the tears still flowed, sobs still tore from her chest but she wasn’t screaming, wasn’t terrifying Elizabeth with her complete hysteria.
“Cassidy. Why are you crying?” She fought the need to cuddle her baby, to rock her, but she saw the complete shock filling her child’s eyes and knew Cassie would never hear the gentle words. Cassie blinked. “I’m an animal, Momma.” The pain in her voice was hard to hear.
“Is Tanner Williams an animal, Cassidy Paige? Callan Lyons? Are they animals?”
Cassie’s breath hitched. “Is that little baby Callan’s wife is having an animal, Cassie?” she questioned her daughter fiercely. “Is this how you see them? Those men and women who fought for their lives and their hearts, so perfectly beautiful. Are they animals?”
Cassie stared up at her in surprise. “No, Momma.” She shook her head fiercely.
“Have I said they are animals, Cassie?” she snapped fiercely. “Haven’t I always cheered for them right along with you? What makes you think I would believe you are an animal? Young lady, you are very close to losing chocolate for a month.”
Cassie’s mouth gaped open, her eyes widening as Elizabeth stared down at her with a mother’s righteous anger.
“Maybe two months,” Elizabeth amended. “Because if you know anything in this world, you should have known how much I love you, Cassie.” Her voice broke then, tears filling her eyes, clogging her throat as she stared down at the vulnerable, almost broken child. Dear God, she could kill Dane herself for what he had done to Cassie.
“He said I was an animal.” She shook her head slowly, the tears finally easing.
“No, Cassie.” She gripped the girl’s face, staring down at her with an inner rage that seared her soul.
“You are my baby. And whoever your natural father is, wherever he is, I can only thank him for giving me a child as precious, as smart and as loving as you are. Do you understand me, Cassie? Do you hear what I’m saying?”