Текст книги "Cynful"

Автор книги: Dana Bell

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“Well. Um.” Wow. He’d neverheard of a non-Kermode having that deep a connection with the spirit world. If Fox himself was speaking to her… “Could you do me a favor?”

“Hmm?”

“Shift for me.”

Her brows rose. “The doc told me to wait for a bit, that I could damage the unhealed portions of my hull.”

He almost smiled. She’d meant skull.“I forgot about that. Okay, we wait to check my theory until after you get the okay from Jamie.” He tugged his braid and thought about what Fox had told her. “Two become one, one becomes three?”

“Nope. Two becomesone. With an s. I got the impression that was significant for some reason.”

She was probably right. The person who received the vision usually understood the nuances better than anyone except the person it was intended for. “Who do you think Fox was talking about?”

“I have no idea. Me, maybe? Jim, since I was dreaming about him? Jamie, because he and that rat bastard physical therapist were torturing me a few hours before?” She shrugged. “You, because you’re a Bear? I’m not sure, but I have a bad feeling about it.”

A knock on the door interrupted them. “I’ll get it. You stay put.” Julian stood up and answered Chloe’s door. “Hey, Ryan.”

Ryan snarled at Julian. “Why do I smell my baby sister all over you?”

Julian rolled his eyes. “Welcome to Casa de Luv.” He stepped out of the way and let Ryan pass him, shutting the door behind the Grizzly. “Hey, pumpkin. Grumpy’s here.”

She giggled like a madwoman as her brother picked her up and blew raspberries against her neck. It was good to see her acting like a twenty-two year old girl instead of a wounded old woman. “Stop it, Ryan! Stop!” She began beating him on the head and shoulders, hitting him as only a sibling could and live to tell about it.

Ryan settled her back on the sofa. “How was your PT?”

She grimaced. “The man could give lessons to Genghis Khan.” She scowled at Ryan as he settled in next to her. “And what is this I hear about Eric giving Cyn shit?”

Julian’s ears perked up. Was the problem with Eric worse than he’d originally thought?

“He can be a real douche where Heather is concerned.” Ryan shrugged. “He’ll get over it.”

“Explain, please.” Julian allowed some of his power to seep into his voice, forcing the other Bear to comply.

Ryan winced. “When Heather was ten years old a group of teenage Bears decided it would be fun to force her to change.”

Julian blinked. “But the change doesn’t hit until puberty.”

Ryan just stared at him, a look of disgust and anger on his face.

“Oh.”

“Yeah. The fucking pervs terrorized her. Then Bunny showed up and explained to them the error of their ways. The leader of the group refused to apologize to Heather, so Bunny nearly ripped his arm off.”

“Good for him.” Julian crossed his arms over his chest. “What happened next?”

“Heather had nightmares for years afterward, but instead of being terrified of her attackers she became terrified of Bunny. Apparently he was really fucking scary when he snapped some guy’s arm like a twig and demanded his surrender. Bunny began to think he needed to control his rage because of it and started on the whole yoga and tai chi kick.” Ryan shrugged. “I have to admit, he’s easier to get along with now, but Heather’s still afraid of him.”

“And Eric is just as overprotective as Bunny. If he thinks even the slightest thing will bother Heather he does his best to make it go away, but he tries to do it where Heather won’t see. And it’s not just Heather he’s protective of.” Chloe leaned her head back against the sofa. “You should see what he does when he comes over here. He’s worse than Grumpy.”

“Hey!” Ryan grabbed the blanket draped over the coffee table and tucked his baby sister in. “He’s been here?”

“Who hasn’t?” Chloe yawned. “Guys?”

She was fading fast, her energy nowhere near what it should be. He’d have to talk to Jamie about that, maybe have some of her sessions eased until she was a little stronger. “Yeah, I’m going. Ryan?”

“I’ll stay here, make her some dinner. She hasn’t been eating right.”

“ Sheis sitting right here. Dork. And pizza is a perfectly acceptable food group.”

“Hey, Ryan?”

“Hmm?” Ryan was distracted, already heading for Chloe’s postage-stamp kitchen.

“Why would Eric see Cyn as a threat to Heather?”

Ryan shrugged. “Because of the way she looks and how Heather seems fascinated by her. He thinks anybody with ink and funny hair is dangerous. You should have seen the fit he had when Bunny got his tats.”

Julian grinned. “Isn’t your cousin eighteen now?”

“Yeah, and?”

Chloe chuckled. “Take her to LA, moron. And take Bunny with you.”

Ryan and Julian exchanged an evil grin.

“And take me too. I have a tattoo I want to get, and I want Cyn to do it.”

“Chloe—”

“Nope. Not talking me out of it, big bro.”

“I was just going to ask what you’re going to get.”

Sure he was.Julian hung by the door and waited to hear Chloe’s answer.

“A two-tailed kitsune.”

“What the hell is a kitsune?” Ryan was starting Chloe’s lunch and sounded distracted.

“It’s a Japanese fox spirit. It’s said that the more tails it has, the more wisdom it possesses. They could change shape into humans, and were said to have strong magical powers. The legends were probably born of Fox shifters mating with humans, since they could be spouses, lovers, advisors, even guardians.”

“Ah. I like that.” Ryan grinned. “Why only two tails, though?”

“Because I’m starting my second life.”

The two men were silent as they absorbed the implications of what Chloe had said. She was right. Her old life was gone; it was time to start the new one. Damn, she was braver than he’d thought.

“You are wise beyond your years, young Padiwan.” Julian grinned when Chloe glared at him. “And on that note, I’m out of here. Take care, pumpkin. Later, Grumpy.”

Ryan’s snarl was muted by the heavy wooden door.

Chapter Five

Bear stared at him, his furry face inscrutable. Julian stared back.

To Bear, patience really was a virtue.

“‘Two becomes one, one becomes three. Bear knows the way, but Fox holds the key.’”

The deep, rumbling voice after waiting for so long would have startled a much younger Julian, but he’d learned the ways of Bear and wasn’t surprised by much anymore. The spirit dropped a map at his feet, got to his feet and waddled off, leaving behind one very confused Kermode. Julian picked up the map and tried to study it, but it flared to bright life, flashing in his hands, soaking into his skin until nothing was left.

“Huh.” He stood, brushed off his naked ass and turned back down the path that led back to his body. He nodded to the great white Fox on the way, again unsurprised to find him there. Chloe was tied tightly into whatever message the spirits were trying to impart, whether because of their odd bond or because she’d been on the paths and come back. He wasn’t sure, but he’d figure it out. Eventually.

There was one thing he was certain of. Chloe had nearly died. That affected a person on deeper levels than most understood, especially after what he’d done to guide her back to her body from the dark paths. She was closer to the spirit world than most shifters would ever be, and the tie between the two of them had only deepened it.

He’d have to talk to Tai, find out what his leader thought about all of this. If his hunch was right, Chloe was changed in more ways than he could see right now. Unfortunately, that meant answering one of Tai’s phone calls. Julian was certain whatever Tai wanted to say to him wasn’t going to be pleasant.

He followed the path that led back to his body, ready to put an end to this walk through the spirit realm. It hadn’t been nearly as difficult as the one he’d taken when he pulled Chloe back into her body, but it still drained him. If his mate had been there, she would have been on the paths as well, lending her strength, borrowing his own. They’d be much stronger together.

He couldn’t wait until he could take her down the paths. Once Bear accepted her, their mating would be complete.

There. The veil between this world and the physical, a misty barrier he crossed through easily. He landed in his body with a sigh, pulling his skin and bones around him like a familiar, comforting blanket. He opened his eyes—

–and jumped a foot at the sight of bright blue eyes staring into his.

“Hey, Jules. Went spirit-walkies, did we?”

He tried to get his racing heart back under control. “Fuck, Jamie.”

“No thanks. You’re not my type.” Jamie put his stethoscope back around his neck. “I’ve never seen that before.”

“Seen what?” Julian got up from the chair he’d nodded off in and went straight for the coffee machine. He’d fallen asleep in the break room.

“A Kermode in a trance.”

Julian poured himself some coffee. “Yeah, well. I was summoned.”

“Could that happen when you’re driving?”

“Hasn’t yet.” Julian added enough sugar to send a six-year-old into spasms. “Bear’s usually pretty good about that sort of thing. Now, Coyote, he’s a real bitch. When he’s got a message, you’d better be ready to hear it. Lucky me, he doesn’t like to talk much. He’s more a doer.” He poured creamer until the coffee was nearly white, just the way he liked it.

Jamie shook his head. “You want some coffee with that?”

“Nah, I’m good.” Julian took a sip, moaning under his breath. God, Jamie made some damn good coffee. “How long was I out for?”

“About half an hour.”

Shit. There went lunch. “Damn.” He glanced at his watch and grimaced.

“Take some time. Eat. Your hair still has some white in it and that will freak the patients.”

“Thank you.” Julian pulled his sandwich out of the fridge and sat his ass at the table.

“What did Bear have to say?” Jamie sat across from him and snagged one of Julian’s chips.

“Two becomes one, one becomes three. Bear knows the way, but Fox holds the key.”

“Chloe?”

“Possibly, since she had the same dream.” Julian took a bite of his sandwich and tried to ignore the stare Jamie was giving him.

“Since when does Bear speak to Chloe?”

“He doesn’t.” He took another bite and tried not to smile at the frustration on Jamie’s face.

“Then who did?”

“Fox.” He took a sip of coffee and arched a brow at Jamie. “Chloe’s different now.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t think she was thatdifferent.” Jamie got to his feet and began to pace, his expression going from friend to concerned doctor. “Will this affect her recovery?”

“Not that I’m aware of. But when I went to visit her last night she was more tired than she should be.”

“Hmm.” Jamie stroked his chin, his gaze distant. “I want to be kept apprised of her new abilities, even the dreaming. It could impact other areas of her recovery, especially if it drains her of energy.”

Julian nodded. “I’ll do my best, but if she doesn’t tell me there isn’t much I can do.”

“Agreed.” Jamie looked at his watch. “Think you’ll be ready in about ten minutes?”

He felt better already and he hadn’t finished half his sandwich. “Yup.”

“See you out there.”

Julian scarfed the rest of his sandwich and headed back to work, Bear’s words still bouncing around in his head. What the hell had he meant, and why had he given Julian the same riddle that Fox had given Chloe?

“Aw. How pretty.” Glory practically cooed at the glass vase sitting on the counter. The little white envelope dared Cyn to open it, but she refused to touch the damn thing. She kept her nose buried in the magazine she was reading, ignoring the two insane bitches cooing over dead vegetation.

Cyn snorted. What the hell was that moron thinking?

“They are pretty. Two dozen roses, mixed colors.” Tabby sighed. “Alex never sends meroses.”

“I don’t think Alex was the one who sent flowers to Cyn.” Glory waggled her eyebrows.

“If I remember my flower language correctly—” Tabby tapped the glass, “—red is for true love. Pink is admiration. Lavender is—”

“Frou-frou.” Cyn grimaced. “Flowers? At my age?”

“First off, Crabby Patsy, you’re only twenty-four. Second, what woman alive hates getting flowers?” Cyn opened her mouth to respond but Tabby cut her off by clearing her throat. “And lavender means love at first sight.”

Cyn clenched her jaw. Julian had to have guessed how she’d react to roses delivered at work, which meant he’d done it deliberately. She tried to ignore the girls as they continued discussing the flowers, but part of her couldn’t help but listen in.

“What does yellow mean? I thought they meant true love, but there aren’t any in the arrangement.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw Glory stroke one of the lavender roses, a wistful expression on her face. Maybe Ryan was getting to her more than she wanted to let on.

“Nope. Yellow is friendship, orange is passion.” Tabby tapped one blazing orange rose. “Which explains why they’re in here but the yellow aren’t.”

“Friends with benefits sounds nice.” Glory sniffed the orange rose. “But there are a lot more red and lavender ones than any other color.” Glory flipped her hair back over her shoulder. “Cyndi’s got a boyfriend!” she sang, grinning at Cyn.

Cyn flipped her off. Bitch knew how much she hated being called Cyndi.

“Oh, yes, I will read the note, thank you!”

Glory grabbed for it, but Cyn was fast, snatching it away from her at the last second. “Ha!”

Glory waved her hands. “Fine. Now you have to read it.”

Cyn held it like she was going to rip it in two. She wasn’t certain she’d have gone through with it, but Tabby was even quicker than she was. Tabby grabbed it and opened it, bursting into laughter. “What happened after you two went home last night?”

“Give me that.” Cyn took the note, biting her lip at the image of Share Bear. That stupid purple bear with two heart-shaped lollipops on its tummy grinned at her. The note said Thanks for sharingin the kind of neat, extremely precise handwriting only a sociopath could possess.

Goddamn it. Now she was going to like flowers. Son of a bitch.

“Let me see!” Glory took the note from her and frowned at it. “Huh? What the hell is that? It’s creepy.”

Cyn took the note back. “None of your business.” She took the card and the flowers back to her office, ignoring the idiots behind her. No way would she admit to them that she knew what the fuck a Care Bear was, let alone the name of one. She set the flowers where she could see them but wouldn’t accidentally knock them over.

The card, she tucked into her secret drawer, along with a photo of her mother and the first set of keys to Living Art.

After all, no one had to know she’d kept it, right?

“Well?”

“Well what?”

Julian suppressed his growl. “Did you like them?” He was weary to the bone, but he refused to give up a date night despite the emergency that had forced him to use his powers. The man would have died right in Jamie’s office if Julian hadn’t stepped in. Jamie was both appalled and grateful, but the patient had no clue how close to death he’d been.

Two more minutes. Just two more minutes and the aneurysm would have burst, and the resulting stroke would have killed him instantly. Jamie ordered the patient in for a round of tests and Julian to the break room until his hair and eyes returned to normal. Thank God it had been a shifter patient; a human would have run screaming from the room or declared the second coming.

“Like what?”

He pulled over. He was too tired to play the game tonight, damn it. “I’m sorry. Could you drive?”

“Jules?” Cyn put her hand on his forehead. “Are you sick?”

He stared at her.

“Bears catch colds like everyone else, right?”

He blinked. She had to be joking.

“Fine. Keys.” She held out her hand and he gave them to her, sighing gratefully when she climbed out of the passenger side. He managed to pull himself out of the driver’s seat and took her spot, but his knees were wobbly.

Damn. He was a lotmore tired than he’d originally thought.

“Jeez, you look like shit. Let’s get you home, okay?”

He closed his eyes and nodded, leaving everything in her more than capable hands. Within seconds she was gently shaking his shoulder. “We’re here.” Julian opened his eyes. He must have nodded off. She’d taken him back to his place, thank the ancestors. He wasn’t up to dealing with Glory’s perkiness right now. Cyn got out of the car and held up her hand when he tried to follow. She opened his door and helped him get out. “In case you were wondering, we’re going to order in pizza and watch chick flicks.” She held up a bag and shook it, the videos she wanted to watch rattling around inside.

He couldn’t help but smile. “If you have a real chick flick in there I’ll let you tattoo anything you want on my ass.”

“Define real.” She opened her front door and tugged him in, plopping him on the sofa before turning on the lights and shutting the door.

“My idea of real, not yours. The Devil Wears Pradadoes not count.”

“Damn. There goes my vision of My Little Ponies dancing down your rainbow colored butt.”

He kicked off his shoes and lay down, his head beginning to pound. “Could you bring me some aspirin?” Back home he would have requested another Kermode help him, but he wasn’t home, and while he could call Alex or Ryan for help, he was strangely loathe to do so. He’d rather take aspirin and spend the evening alone with his mate than have his well-meaning friends come “help” him.

God forbid they called and told their family he wasn’t feeling well. He shuddered at the thought of his house filled to the rafters with yappy Foxes and growling Grizzlies. He’d dealt with that while recovering from saving Chloe, and the noise levels alone had his landlord threatening him with eviction. Any night where he’d had time to prepare for the onslaught would be fine, but he just wasn’t up to it right now. “So what is your idea of a chick flick?” This he had to see. He doubted it would be either sappy or sentimental. Maybe First Wives’ Club?His mother loved that film. Hell, even his father chuckled at the window washer scene.

She brought him his medicine and smirked. “You’ll see.” She picked up the phone and called for two pizzas, one Hawaiian, one pepperoni and mushroom.

He must have dozed off again because the smell of tomato sauce woke him. He hadn’t even heard the doorbell ring. His stomach growled. “Damn, that smells good.”

Cyn put the pizzas on the coffee table and brought them some sodas. “Ready for the horror?”

He grinned. He was beginning to feel better. “Sure.”

Two slices later he was staring at the screen, wondering what the hell he’d gotten himself into. “Your idea of a chick flick is She-Devil?”

“That pink palace princess deserves everything she gets.”

Cyn’s grin was chock full of childish, evil glee. She munched her third slice of pizza, her gaze glued to the screen as Roseanne Barr blew up her own house with a happy sigh.

He smiled and settled back down, pleasantly full of good pizza. He watched his mate enjoy her movie and hid his grin.

His mother was going to adore Cyn.

Chapter Six

Julian nodded off again long before the movie ended. Cyn stared at him, worried at the thin strands of white still silvering his hair. She hadn’t seen the silver sparks in his eyes when he’d first picked her up. It had been too dark outside the shop and in the car. Now that they were in Julian’s home those sparks were obvious, and worrying. They weren’t fading the way they were supposed to, and he was almost as weak as he’d been after saving Chloe.

What the fuck had he done to himself?

She covered him with a blanket and left him, determined to let him rest. She left the film on loop so the lack of noise didn’t disturb him. She just turned it down before heading into the kitchen with the pizza boxes. She put the leftover pizza in the fridge and pondered what to do next. Should she leave him on the couch? Call Alex and Tabby and the rest of that insane gang of shifters? They might have a better clue what was wrong with him.

She didn’t like not knowing how to help him. Not one little stinking bit.

Hell. She was beginning to mutter in Spanish under her breath. Maybe it was time to call for some back-up. Cyn picked up the phone. If Julian was sick or needed help, then she needed Alex.

“Hello? Cyn? What’s wrong?”

Cyn grimaced at the breathless tone of Tabby’s voice. “Did I interrupt something?”

“Yes.”

“Oops. Sorry. Julian’s hair is white and he’s passed out on his sofa.”

Tabby sighed. “Why don’t you sound sorry?”

“Because I’m not. Put Alex on the phone for me. Good girl. Goodgirl.”

“Damn it, I’m not a dog, y’all. And stop leaving that bag of kibble in front of my door!”

Cyn heard deep, muffled laughter, and then Alex was on the phone. “What’s wrong with him?”

Damn, Bears had good hearing. She’d have to remember that. “Not sure. He picked me up at my shop, but halfway to his place he pulled over and asked me to drive. Honestly, once we were inside I was shocked. His hair is half white and his eyes are washed out.”

“Shit. I’ll be there in ten minutes.” The phone clicked shut. Cyn headed back into Julian’s living room to wait for Alex and Tabby, because where one went the other was rarely far behind.

She sat on the edge of the sofa and studied the man who claimed he was her mate. The white streaks didn’t bother her at all; in fact, they gave him an otherworldly look that was stunning. His Native American heritage was obvious in his dusky skin color, deep brown eyes and high cheekbones. His full lips invited kisses; his strong jaw showcased his stubborn side. The thin laugh lines at the corners of his eyes made her smile. His waist length hair was loose, lying around him in an inviting pool she wanted to sink her fingers into. He had the lean build she’d always preferred in her men, but with enough muscle underneath those scrubs to make her feel like she’d won the lottery. He had to be one of the handsomest men she’d ever seen, bar none, and he said he was all hers.

She still wasn’t sure she believed it, but she certainly wasn’t going to turn his fine ass away.

She sat and watched him until a soft knock on the door got her up off the sofa. She let Alex and Tabby in, directing Alex to where Julian lay.

“Oh crap. He looks like three-day-old dog poo. What did he do this time?” Tabby kept her voice low, but that southern drawl was more pronounced than usual. Tabby was worried, and that couldn’t be good.

Alex rested his hand on Julian’s forehead, his brow furrowing. Whatever the hell he was doing it didn’t look comfortable.

“Well?” Cyn tapped her foot, impatience riding her hard. What was wrong with Jules?

Alex sat back with a sigh. He swayed and nearly fell of the sofa. “If I were to guess, I’d say he saved someone’s life today.”

Cyn ground her teeth. “Oh. Really.”

Alex’s hazel eyes had gone deep, dark brown. “He can’t help it, Cyn. I think one of the reasons Kermode hold themselves apart from the rest of us is because Bear’s gift is, for them, a curse as well.”

She smiled, and it wasn’t pretty. “So. How close to death was he this time?”

Alex’s brows rose. “He’s exhausted, but he’ll be fine. I gave him what I could, but only rest will cure what ails him now.”

Julian’s cell phone rang. Cyn, not caring she was snooping, picked it up and frowned at the name displayed. “Who the fuck is Tai?”

Both Alex and Tabby shrugged, but before they could speak Cyn answered his phone. “Hello?”

There was a pause, then a male voice spoke. “Is Julian DuCharme there?”

“He’s sleeping at the moment. Could I take a message?”

“Who is this?”

The arrogant command in the man’s voice got Cyn’s back up. None of your business,cabrón .“A better question would be who are you?”

“Fine. Who are you?”

Lovely. Another smart-ass. This one had an undertone of condescension she had no intention of bowing to. “Cyn.” She left it hanging and waited for his answer.

There was a deep, frustrated sigh. “Could you tell Julian that I called?”

Another command. She had the feeling she was going to lovethis guy. “Why?”

“What do you mean, why?” He sounded baffled, and a little annoyed.

“You’re not his boss, you’re not his significant oth…wait, are you?”

The man actually growled before abruptly cutting it off.

“Because that would mean he’s cheating on your ass.”

“He’s not my—”

“He does have a nice one, doesn’t he? Ass, I mean.”

“His life is in danger.”

Cyn paused, her intention of playing with Julian’s rude caller momentarily suspended. “Is that a threat?”

Tabby, a Wolf and a predator, took a step back at the cold chill in Cyn’s voice.

“Tell him this: Two becomes one, one becomes three. Bear knows the way, but Fox holds the key. Tell him, mate of Julian, that every fucking Kermode has had this same dream. All except me.”

She took a deep breath. A shiver ran through her. “I’m not his mate.” How the hell did this stranger know she was Julian’s?

“The dream I had showed Julian lying on the ground, covered in blood.”

She didn’t even react when the asshole hung up the phone. Alex had to pry it out of her cold hand. “We heard.”

Tabby took a deep breath, her hand going over her still flat stomach. “I’ll rally the troops.”

Alex shot Cyn a worried look before picking Julian up like he weighed less than nothing. “I’ll carry Julian to bed. Man has to be getting a crick in his neck.”

Cyn could barely see her friends moving around her. She was too busy bristling over the threat to Julian. She might not want to admit what she felt for the annoying, quirky, hot-as-fuck Bear, even to herself, but there was one thing she hadn’t failed to grasp.

Tai’s vision was never going to come to pass. Not if Cynthia Reyes could stop it.

Julian stirred. Something was different, out of place. What the hell had woken him—?

A loud snore interrupted his thoughts. He opened his eyes and stared down at the face he’d grown to love since he’d moved to Halle three months ago. Despite the hectic scramble to get his nursing certificate and keep his visa he’d managed to make friends with all the girls at LA, but none of them meant more to him that Cyn did. The first moment he’d seen her, her dark hair was streaked a delicate pink. Her laughter was contagious to a man who was feeling desperately homesick. Her dark, sparkling eyes had captivated him. He’d been smitten before he’d ever caught her scent, but when he had that was all she wrote.

She was the one.

He’d been wandering through Halle, happy to have made it, worried that he hadn’t been in time. He hadn’t understood why Bear wanted him to leave home and come to this small college town in the middle of Pennsylvania, but the hassle of getting into America without a work visa had taken months to clear away. In the end it had taken Tai’s political clout to get him here.

He’d almost ignored the tattoo parlor, but the girls had propped the door open to the early summer breeze. He’d been enchanted by the easy laughter, the sweet smiles of the two girls he’d seen. Then Cyn had stepped out from behind the curtain blocking the work area from the front of the shop, laughing and joking with the sisters of her heart, and his world had tilted on its axis.

He’d found his mate.

Convincing her he was hers, on the other hand, was turning out to be a major undertaking. Good thing he was stubborn when it came to the things he really wanted.

He hated to admit it, but he was curious why she was sleeping in his bed. They hadn’t reached the part of their relationship where Cyn would be comfortable sleeping with him.

Or had they? He sniffed the air, hoping against hope that he hadn’t somehow mated her and, spirits forbid, forgotten it.He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized he hadn’t, not yet, anyway.

Another indelicate snore made him smile. She was so tough when awake, so vibrant and alive, it was odd to see her like this. She was practically sprawled on top of him, one leg thrown over his, one arm pinning him down, her head tucked just under his chin. She felt so good, so right, he was reluctant to move her.

But god damndid he have to piss.

He moved cautiously, gradually working his way out from under her and headed for the bathroom, breathing a sigh of relief as he finally let nature take its course. The headache was gone, and when he took a look at himself in the mirror he was almost back to normal. A few white strands remained, a few gray specks in his eyes. Nothing to see here. Please move along.

“Jules?”

He headed back into the bedroom at the sleepy sound of her voice. It had taken on a husky quality that sent blood racing straight to his cock. “I’m here.”

She was sitting up, pushing her mass of multicolored hair out of her face. “Where’d you go?”

“Bathroom.” He hit the foot of the bed and, instead of getting in on his side, began crawling up it until he was hovering over her. “Hi.”

She glared up at him. “You’re in big trouble.”

He whimpered. Fuck. He had her in his bed and he wasn’t going to be allowed to play? That was like chaining a recovering chocoholic in front of a Godiva store that was giving out free samples. “Why?”

Cyn bopped him upside the head. “You could have died, asshole.”

He sat back on his heels, his erection completely forgotten. This was something that couldn’t wait, something every Kermode had to do before mating with someone from the outside. “This is who I am, what I am. Bear made me this way for a reason.”

“Does that mean you have to risk your life?”

“Yes.” He sighed and stroked his hand across her knee. “He was two minutes from death. An aneurysm. What would you have me do, let a man die right in front of me when I can save him?”

She blew out a breath and refused to meet his eyes.

“I’m a nurse becauseof what I am. The urge to heal is strong within all Bears, but more so for the Kermode.”

“Alex said that was the reason the Kermode hold themselves apart.”

“He’s partially right. There’s more to it than that. The First Nations say that Kermode were made white by Raven to remind us all of the Ice Age, but it’s not true. Kermode were made white because…” He grimaced. “The truth is, not all Kermode are white. Only one in ten is, and they’re the ones with the special gift. But those of us who are born Spirit Bears are slowly dying out.” And the majority of human mates turned never became Spirit Bears. He doubted Cyn would be any different.

“Genetic problems?”

“Partly. We have our own problems as well, problems that up until now we’ve tried to deal with on our own.”