The Black Tide (Outcast 3)

My smile grew. “A lot better than I look, if your expression is anything to go by.”

An answering smile tugged at his lips and it gave his weatherworn features a warmth that was decidedly attractive. He was a lean and powerful man with mottled black hair—the only sign of the panther he could become—and vivid green eyes. But the three scars that ran from his right temple to just behind his ear and signified his former rank as a ranger—a feared group of soldiers back in the war who were still formidable frontline peacekeepers—seemed to be more visible than usual, and there were shadows under his eyes.

“That’s because you almost died, Tiger, even with the transfusion—”

“Transfusion?” I frowned. “Does that mean I’m back in Central rather than in the Broken Mountains?”

While the medical facilities in the room were certainly more modern than anything I had in my bunker, I wouldn’t have said they were state of the art, which was what I’d have expected if we were back in Central.

He raised an eyebrow, his amusement increasing. “Just because the Broken Mountains shifters still lead a nomadic life doesn’t mean they go without modern conveniences or trappings. And given your history with them, you should be well aware of that.”

There was no rancor in his voice when he mentioned my past, which was so vastly different from our initial conversations that—despite our agreement to move past old prejudices and hatred—I still found it surprising. But then, I was just as guilty as he when it came to judging people based on history rather than current actions and words.

“How long have I been unconscious?”

“Two days, which is not long enough by half, according to Tala, the head medic here.” He half shrugged. “I told her the same lie you told us initially—that you were half shifter and had inherited the ability to heal without having to attain cat form.”

I frowned. “She would have known the lie the minute she did blood tests.”

“Except that she didn’t do them. I forbade it, as it would have been too much of a risk.”

Because of what I was. Because there were still those in these mountains who remembered the war, and who held great hatred for déchet.

“Yes and no,” Jonas said, obviously catching my thoughts. “I didn’t fear either the blood or DNA tests in and of themselves, as they wouldn’t have revealed anything specifically worrying—”

“But I’ve tiger and vampire—”

“Yes, but so have I, thanks to that rift mixing together our DNA,” he said. “But that bastard at Winter Halo did take blood samples from you, and it’s more than possible Dream now has them.”

“But surely she can’t have people up here. I mean, you trust your own kin, don’t you?”

“Again, yes, but my kin are a minority amongst the clans here. There is no telling how far her canker might have spread.”

And being cautious never hurt—I’d learned that long ago. “So where did the blood come from?”

“Me—I’m also O positive.” The amusement touching his lips reached up to crease the corners of his bright eyes. “Chalk it up as returning a favor, given how many times you’ve pulled my butt out of the fire.”

“I think that score is more than even.” I paused. “What about Raela? Have any suspicions been raised over her presence?”

“Everyone’s presumed she’s yours, and I’ve not said otherwise.” He motioned at the wall to my right. “She’s in the next room, and under the very watchful eye of your two young ghosts. It was all I could do to convince them to let Tala give her sustenance.”

“Have any tests been run on her?” Because if there had been, all sorts of red flags would have been raised.

“No, though it was certainly an order Tala fought.” He paused, his gaze narrowing. “What happened to you in that place? And where did you find the child? Were they using her for drug experimental purposes?”

“Yes.” I hesitated, and then told him the whole story. What I’d seen, and what I’d done. To the base, and to the rest of those children.

He reached out and placed his hand over mine. It was such a simple touch, and yet it was one that said he knew. That he understood.

“You couldn’t have done anything else for them,” he said softly.

“I know. Just as I know Raela was the only one who had a chance.” I squeezed his fingers and then gently pulled my hand from his. “That doesn’t help the bitterness of a promise broken.”

“It should, given you were fulfilling a promise to that child’s ghost.” He frowned. “Raela is a shifter name, yet I sense no shifter in her.”

My smile held little in the way of amusement “That’s because she’s human, not shifter. I gave her the name, not the scientists.”

He studied me for several heartbeats, his expression giving little away. Eventually, he said, “You cannot raise her.”