Jaxon growled in anticipation of the fight that lay on the horizon, his ancient warrior blood singing through his veins as he moved quietly through the forest.
The smell of blood remained faint in the air as he silently entered the cabin a few minutes later. He’d sensed a protection ward as he neared the porch, a faint resistance in the air in the form of an invisible shield.
Declan’s charms were strong, and he felt better knowing no one would be able to cross unless their
body signatures had been woven into the spell.
Once inside, he frowned, not liking the odor that lingered here, among his people. His eyes scanned the room, and all traces of the violence that took place a few hours earlier had been erased.
The great room was empty, and he quickly moved toward the back of the cabin where the bedrooms were located. His eyes fell to the closed door at the end of the hall to his right, and he took a second, letting his senses drift on the air. His acute sense of smell located her scent, and his keen hearing homed in on the unmistakable beat of Libby’s heart. Even now it began to beat faster, and he growled softly at the response her body had to his. She knew he was back.
He turned on his heel and grabbed some extra clothes he’d stored in his brother’s room, before taking the stairs two at a time down toward the basement.
Declan was leaning over Ana, and they were both staring at a computer screen, but turned when he entered the large open area.
Ana pushed her chair back and they both stood there, uncertain of words or actions. She took a step toward him, but Jaxon spoke first, his voice curt.
“Did you check on Libby?”
“She had a shower, and she’s in her room. She wasn’t in the mood for conversation, but I think she will be all right.” Ana sighed and stretched her limbs as she turned back to the computer. “She’s been through a lot, but I think we’re all forgetting how strong Libby was, and when push comes to shove, still is.”
“I have a protection ward in place; she can’t leave unless I allow it. Don’t worry about her, Jax,” Declan cut in. “We have a lot to cover.”
Jaxon walked over to the two of them, his eyes scanning the computer screen. “What did you learn in Washington? Was Drake involved?”
Ana shook her head as she settled back into the seat. “I’ve confirmed he was attending a fund-raising event for some up-and-coming hotshot.” She made a face. “A political thing. I have video and a few witness reports that verify.”
Declan leaned over Ana’s shoulder, pointing out something on the screen before he turned to Jaxon. “Only Drake’s retina scan and fingerprints gain access to his office after hours, and we know he was elsewhere.”
“That tells me nothing. How many times have we infiltrated high security operations? I need to know who was there.” Jaxon’s hands raked through the thick hair atop his head as he moved behind the two. “It also means we still don’t know if he was involved or not.”
“But why would he allow someone access to his computer, knowing it would be traced right back to him?” Declan asked. “He’s not stupid. Someone is obviously trying to frame him, or at least lead you to think he’s complicit. Maybe kill two birds with one stone?”
“What are you getting at?” Ana leaned back so her head was resting on Declan’s midsection as she looked up into his eyes.
“I think someone not only wants Jaxon out of the way, but they’re aiming to start an internal war inside of PATU.”
“But what does this all have to do with Libby? And why now?” Ana turned to Jaxon, puzzled.
Declan answered, his face dark and resigned.
“That, I can only guess at. What I do know is that I sensed a subtle trace signature of magick in Drake’s office. I can’t be sure, but it felt the same as what I’d felt in Manhattan. The amount was so minute, it’s hard to be one hundred percent sure. But it would make sense to me that the bastard who attacked our base with those commandos was inside Commander Drake’s office at some point over the last few weeks. The magick was dark, and powerful. It could have been easily used to manipulate Drake’s security defenses.”
“The attack in Manhattan is definitely linked to Libby,” Ana said. “The chip in her hip is what led them straight to our asses. Whoever’s been hiding her for the last three years is deep into all the shit that’s been flying.” She looked to Declan and back to Jaxon. “I don’t like Drake for this. I think he’s being used as a scapegoat in case the entire operation falls apart, which I don’t mind saying it is.”
She jumped up from the chair and crossed to within a few inches of Jaxon, her eyes softening at the tense, wearied look that clung heavily to his eyes.
“We all know what she meant to you, Jax. Don’t think for a second that your affair was a secret.”
His face hardened at Ana’s words, and his eyes flew to Declan’s, feeling a twinge of unease as the other man looked away.
“It wouldn’t take a good operative long to find that out,” Ana said. “The more I think about it, I’m sure that Libby was targeted because someone knew of her connection to you. That she belonged to you.”
Jaxon growled a denial, even as he knew deep in his gut that her words were true. From the moment he’d first laid eyes on Libby, no other woman had even come close to captivating his interest, or holding onto his heart.
“Do you think she’s remembered who held her?” Declan’s concerned words startled him.
“I hope not,” he answered, his voice low as his mind turned inward.