LITMIR.BIZ

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turned away from his father and brothers and gently began moving his mother, sister, sisters-in-law and cousins aside. “Come on ladies, give her a little space. We’ve been driving for four long days and she’s exhausted. Let me take her to our cabin so she can rest up.”

      Lilly shot him a grateful look before her long lashes swept down to hide her eyes.

      “But you’ll still be coming tonight for dinner, won’t you?” his mother asked, self-consciously patting her long gray braid. Kane gave a reassuring nod. If he knew her, and he did, she’d spent the past ten hours cooking. His mouth watered at the thought.

      “Here you go, son.” His dad tossed him a set of keys. “I had cabin nine made ready for you, just like you requested.”

      Catching the keys, Kane grinned his thanks, then shepherded Lilly back into the car. Once he’d closed the door behind her, he crossed to the driver’s side. “See you later,” he said, lifting his hand in a wave.

      Once he closed the door, cutting off the noise outside, he started the engine. “You all right?”

      “Yes.” The wobbly answer told him she wasn’t, not exactly, but he knew she’d be fine.

      “They mean well,” he told her.

      “I know,” she said, her slight smile curving her lips surprising him. “And even though they’re Shifters, they don’t bite.”

      A joke? Was she making a joke? Just in case she was, he grinned back at her.

      “Where are we going?” she asked.

      “Our cabin. It’s the most isolated one, and also the most difficult to get to. There’s only one way in, at least by road.”

      The gravel road crunched under their tires as they passed the first four rental cabins. Made of wood and surrounded by towering trees, these were clustered around a parklike garden, complete with wild rose bushes in vivid colors, a vine-covered arbor and a wood-and-metal bench. A stone wolf statue occupied a place of honor in the middle, as if it had been meant to be a shrine of sorts. At one time in his family’s long history of owning this land, Kane supposed it had been.

      “That’s beautiful,” she breathed. He couldn’t tell if she meant the garden or the statue or both. Either way, though the land and the place glowed with earthen beauty, none of it could hold a candle to her.

      “Yes,” he answered, his heart full. The road curved ahead of them, steadily climbing through the untamed forest. The next four wooden cabins sat in a semi-circle to the right, situated around a small, spring-fed lake. A doe and two fawns looked up at their approach and vanished into the woods.

      At the sight, Kane’s inner wolf snarled, reminding him that soon they’d go hunting. Maybe even tonight after the big meal if they followed tradition. He’d have to make sure Lilly knew and offer her the choice to join them or retreat to their cabin.

      “I’ve counted eight,” she said, leaning forward to peer into the forest. “How many are there?”

      “Nine. Ours is my favorite. It sits up at the top of a rise in the land, with a pretty good view of the entire acreage.” Not to mention it was pretty damn near impossible to approach the cabin from any direction without being seen.

      A slight frown creased her brow. “Exactly how isolated is it?”

      “Not too far.” They climbed in earnest now. “We’re almost there.”

      One more curve in the road, and the cabin came into view. Unlike the others, this was made of stone. Two giant oak trees sheltered it. “This one is older than the others,” he told her. “Originally, this was where my ancestors lived.”

      Though she nodded, he didn’t tell her the significance of this. His entire family spoke of the power lingering in the ancient stones. In addition to being easily defensible, Kane had the vague hope that cabin nine might help Lilly heal.

      They crested the hill, parking next to the covered porch. He killed the engine, pocketed the keys and climbed out. He’d made it halfway around the car, meaning to open her door, but she beat him to it. She unfolded her long and shapely legs and climbed out of his low-slung car. Stretching, she cocked her head and studied the house.

      “I feel it again.”

      He understood what she meant. “It’s a ley line. The strength of the earth, made manifest.”

      A shadow crossed her pretty face. “Are you sure you don’t mean demons?”

      Cursing the man who’d caused her to think something so natural was evil, he shook his head. “No. It’s good energy. Beneficial. Since our kind has such close ties to the earth and the sky and moon, we appreciate and honor such places of power.”

      Holding utterly still, she considered his words. “Places? Are there more than one?”

      “Yes.” Relaxing again, he took her arm and steered her up on the porch. “I’ve been lucky enough to feel several of them.”

      Unlocking the door of the cabin, he flicked on the light switch. “After you. This will be our home for the next several weeks.”

      Gliding past him, she inspected the interior, from the weathered wood of the old plank floors to the cast-iron stove. The windows were double-paned and new, and over the years, different parts of the cabin had been updated. The most recent renovation had been to the bathroom.

      He watched as she walked all around, wondering if she could sense the history trapped inside the old stone walls. Sometimes, late at night, he almost felt the ghosts of times long gone drifting up from the rocks.

      Finally, she looked up and met his gaze. A reluctant smile hovered at the edge of her lush mouth. “Very nice.” She swallowed, her cheeks turning pink. “But there’s only one bed.”

      “I know.” He indicated the couch. “That makes into a bed. I’ll bunk there.”

      Relief palpable, she nodded.

      He glanced at his watch. “We have about an hour until they’ll expect us back at the main house for dinner. Do you want to freshen up or take a nap or...”

      “What are you going to do?”

      “I’m not sure.” If he’d been alone, he’d already have turned and headed back to the house to be with his family. But since he knew this would be rough enough on her as it was, he wouldn’t ask that of her. Nor would he leave her alone. Until the missing Sanctuary members were arrested, he didn’t plan to let Lilly Gideon out of his sight.

      “I think I’d like to take a walk,” she said, surprising him. “After so long in the car, my legs could use a bit of a hike.”

      “Sounds like a plan.” Crossing to the door, he held it open. “After you.”

      She didn’t move. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone.”

      Compassion warred with common sense. “I’m sorry, but right now that’s not a good idea.”

      He expected her to argue. Or maybe just challenge his statement. Instead, she dipped her chin in a sort of resigned acceptance and moved past him. He fought the urge to take her arm, and only the knowledge that she wouldn’t have made it so long if she wasn’t a fighter, kept him from demanding she try harder for what she wanted.

      “How about I stay a bit behind you?” he offered. “Give you some space without leaving you completely alone?”

      All the light had faded from her eyes, leaving them as dark as a storm. “Suit yourself.”

      So he did. Since she hadn’t indicated a preference, he remained right by her side. Unspeaking, yet close enough to touch.

      They’d barely gone a quarter mile when she stopped and rounded on him. “I understand you take this guarding me thing seriously,” she began, “but I barely know you.”

      “You

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