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And something was definitely wrong. He could feel it. Even as he lifted his gaze from the security feed to stare at her open balcony doors, his instincts were raging. He hated her habit of leaving those doors open, it was a security risk that made his skin crawl after the attack by the Jackals and Raymond Martinez. But, like Claire, she enjoyed the night and the cool breeze that drifted into the bedroom. Personally, Graeme thought it was the sense of freedom the act gave her that she enjoyed.
Not that there seemed to be a risk tonight. The breeze was soft, cool but not yet cold. And for all the eyes on the small rental estate, there was nothing restless or dangerous that seemed to drift on the wind.
The six-man team of enforcers from the Bureau of Breed Affairs had fanned out around the walled property at perfect vantage points to watch the area. They thought they were hidden from Graeme’s detection, but he’d found them instantly as he scanned the area.
The fact that Jonas’s warning instincts were roused as well had the primal force inside him itching to emerge. Just beyond the gates of the property Brim Stone, along with Ashley, Emma, Rule Breaker and his mate, Gypsy McQuade, watched the front of the house in plain sight. The two human soldiers the Council had sent were in the shadowed rise of boulders about a half mile from the property, believing themselves hidden. Graeme had known the second they passed Lobo’s borders the night before, though. There was no way for his Cat to be taken or to run without being seen. So why he was so certain her safety was in imminent peril he couldn’t explain.
Beside him, stretched out on the rocky peak of the rise behind the house, Lobo waited as well. The Wolf was so still, so silent, Graeme could barely detect his heartbeat. Lobo was far more than others suspected and took extreme advantage of that fact. And like Graeme, he could be the perfect killing machine. They’d been in place since darkness had fallen and not once had the other Breed questioned Graeme’s instincts. In the year since they’d formed their unusual partnership Lobo had given him what seemed to be unquestioned faith. If only Cat would extend a small measure of such trust.
“She’s good,” Lobo murmured as his gaze remained focused on the security feed. “Cool as ice. Whatever her plans, she’s not giving anything away. You trained her well, Graeme.”
Unfortunately, that was far too accurate.
“Perhaps at some things I trained her far too well.” Graeme sighed, his voice barely a breath of sound.
Lobo gave a small, amused grunt.
“As a trainer your instincts are excellent. Even my own force has benefited from them immensely. Despite their dislike of felines.” The wry comment had a grin tugging at Graeme’s lips.
“They learn well despite my dislike of wolves.”
The world believed the Breeds—feline, Wolf and Coyote—struggled with a perceived, instinctive dislike toward and prejudice against one another. The truth was, only those who had sided with their creators harbored such prejudices. For those born with the instincts more closely related to their animal genetics, there was no such dislike. It hadn’t been in their training either.
“She’s too patient,” Lobo pointed out.
“Her patience has always seemed immeasurable. And it’s vast. But it has a limit. When that limit’s been reached she’s already perfected a deadly plan of attack or retribution. She’s incredible.” He was in awe of her and she had no idea how he felt.
At twelve she’d done what neither he nor Judd had expected. When the transport agents had arrived to take her to the kill center they had deemed her without threat and hadn’t restrained her. Not that their restraints would have locked properly around her tiny wrists.
She’d waited, seemingly drawn within herself, until she’d somehow sensed the perfect moment to launch herself on the agent guarding her and tear his throat out. Judd hadn’t expected such a move and it had been accomplished before he could react. The silent accuracy and cold determination Judd had described had Graeme doubting him. In the time he’d watched her, though, seen her few desert hunts, he’d lost that doubt.
“And when she loses her patience with you?” Lobo asked in an amused murmur. “Will you survive?”
Graeme wasn’t so certain he would.
“She’ll shred me,” he admitted. “Without mercy and without death, she’ll fucking take me apart. But when she does she’ll be the mate I know lurks beneath the calm.”
Breaking that calm had been impossible so far. She was too calm. Too much of the protective Claire still influenced her instincts as well as the Breed genetics struggling within her.
“She’s rising,” Lobo alerted him.
Moving his attention to the e-pad, Graeme watched as she tossed the electronic device aside and rose from the bed. Striding to the dresser, she collected a short, filmy gown from a drawer and moved into the bathroom.
Dammit, he should have replaced the security equipment she’d removed from the room. Waiting, nerves on edge, he knew the sound of the shower long minutes later should have had him relaxing. But it didn’t. There was nothing to indicate danger, no reason to suspect she was doing anything but preparing for bed, but he could feel the monster rousing. Some instinctive knowledge pulled it to the surface despite Graeme’s attempts to push it back.
“Brim, take Ashley and Emma in to check the master shower,” Lobo ordered through the communication link he wore. Graeme had been unaware that link had been programmed to connect to the Coyote Breeds.
Brim didn’t answer but Graeme detected a hint of movement as the Breeds exited the Dragoon and scaled the fence at the front.
Graeme waited, watching carefully as security showed Brim, another Coyote and the two females entering the front door and proceeding upstairs cautiously.
“Something’s not right.” His voice was deeper, harsh, an indication he was losing his grip on the maddened force he harbored inside. “Damn her. She’s flown . . .”
Flown. Claire had said she would fly, not run.
Swinging his head to Lobo, he pierced the Breed with a furious stare. “Are the winged Breeds in this desert?”
Lobo stared at him in surprise. “They’re in South America.”
