Laying Claim to the Soul (7 page)

We already checked, and Wol-itelm can’t trace him either. Hoyt, be on alert, Timble is missing as well. Wol-itelm doesn’t know where he took off to. Wol-itelm…

Excuse me, I can speak for myself. I hear all three of you. I am your mate after all.

Tabatha rolled her eyes at Hoyt, and he smiled at her.

Don’t think I didn’t see that Tabby, and this is serious. Timble can travel anywhere, and if he knows about that planet. He could bring anyone there!
Wol-itelm snorted.

Tabatha sat up straight, “Wait a minute, why are you questioning me about my brother? You don’t really believe he could be behind all this, do you? I mean, how would he organize demons? He has no powers, and why would he want me dead?”

She turned and looked at Hoyt. Tabatha knew all of her mates had heard her. Hoyt’s eyes told her he knew something.

“Hoyt, please tell me. You didn’t just come here to get information about him? Tell me. You didn’t suspect him before…” She waved her hand at him and swallowed.

The growl was loud and before she could do anything, he pounced on her, laying her back on the bed.

“I would never do that to you, Tabatha, and it pisses me off that you would even think that.” He glared down at her before hopping off the bed.

“Excuse me! Who was the one telling me it was over? Who hasn’t told me a damn thing that’s going on?” She sat up and pulled her legs up wrapping her arms around them.

“The first attack, we noticed that your brother had disappeared during the fighting, and reappeared when the fighting was over.” Hoyt brushed his hair back with his hand and turned to look at her.

“We didn’t think anything of it. Then he kept asking us if we were sure you were our mate and other things. God, I’m sorry, Tabby.” He got back on the bed, and tried to hold her, but she backed away.

“What? Tell me. I have a right to know.” The lump in her throat was back along with the sick feeling in her stomach.

“Our old boss on the task force called the other day. He said about a month before Ben appeared back in your life, your brother disappeared, and no one knew where he was. He told us he was doing some undercover work, but no one knew anything about it.”

Tabatha got off the bed, and began to pace, “Why would he do this? I just don’t understand. The other night when you two told me it was over I turned towards him, and saw a smile on his face.” She stared at Hoyt.

“Why Hoyt? Why would he do this?” Her knees started to give, Hoyt jumped and caught her before she could fall to the floor.

He picked her up gently, as both Chax and Wol-itelm appeared next to them. Wol-itelm brushed her hair away from her face. Tears streaked down her face.

“We’re not sure baby. But we have to check it out. I’m sorry.” Wol-itelm leaned down kissing her cheek.

“I want to go home, Hoyt, please? I don’t want to be stuck here. I just want to be home, I’m so tired.” She looked up into his face, before laying her head on his chest, staring at Chax and Wol-itelm. “Please. If they know I’m here and that we’re still together, wouldn’t it be better to have those around us that we trust to help us? I mean, I know Hoyt’s pack. At least most of them would help us.”

She closed her eyes and buried her face against Hoyt. “Plus, I need to dig into mom and dad’s things. Maybe I can find some answers there as to why this is happening. It seems it started with them. There must be some answers among their personal things.” She hated the thought of going through those personal items, but it was time. Tabatha had put it off long enough.

Tabatha’s head popped up, and she squirmed to get down. “Let me down Hoyt.” He put her down, and she started to pace again.

“When we were small, my mom used to take me away, to some place.” Tabatha stopped and frowned. “You know I always thought of this place as my secret haven, like it was a dream. She told me when I was old enough to understand that I would be told what that place was, but she never got a chance. And it’s weird, Dad never went with us, neither did Ben. It was just me and her.” She turned and looked at her mates. “I need to go back. I know I can find it. I have a feeling this has a lot to do with our problem.”

Wol-itelm stared at her for a while and nodded, “Fine. But you still can’t mention anything about me, or your dragon. You’re going to have to keep strict control of your emotions Tabby, because if you change and some one sees you, there will be no choice. You’ll have to stay here for good. Is that understood?”

Wol-itelm wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her into his body. “I mean it, one threat against you, and you’re back here. And if you pull any stunt, like taking off again, I will personally beat your ass till it’s black and blue. Do you understand me?” His eyes turned red, and steam poured out of his mouth.

Tabatha smiled, and kissed his hot lips. She saluted him, “Yes sir.”

“Tabby this is serious here.” He growled and nibbled her neck.

Tabatha frowned, and lowered her head into his chest, “I know it is Draco, but if I think of it too much, it hurts. It killed me when my parents died, but to think Ben is involved in this just rips my heart out. I can’t breathe, when I think about it.” She looked up into his gaze, “When I joke around it helps me. I’m sorry.”

He leaned down, placing a small kiss on her lips, “I’m sorry. If I could change this I would. Even my kind with all the power we have, we have can’t control everything. We still haven’t found that source of the disturbance yet either and that has me worried. Is it another threat or the same one? We just don’t know.”

He looked up, “Hoyt, Chax, you better go tell everyone the news, and that we’re going back. If any of them know of extra help that they trust, contact them now. I have a feeling we’re going to need it.” He turned and cupped her face.

“I’m afraid you haven’t gotten any rest yet. When you get back, I want you in bed asleep. Tomorrow you can start looking around. I’ll be there to help you.” He cupped her breast. “I’ll stay beside you from now on until this is over.”

Wol-itelm waved his hand, and clothes appeared on her body, when Chax’s brothers walked into the room.

What’s wrong, Draco? Didn’t want the boys to get another look at my body?
She teased, trying to lighten the mood. Three growls sounded around her and she busted out laughing.

“I take it Chax and Hoyt didn’t know about my flashing scene earlier?” She smiled, and walked over to the bassinet making sure Drake was okay.

“No, we didn’t! So now you like to show your body off? What else are you hiding from us, Tabby? What secret fantasies are hidden in that head of yours?” Chax growled behind her.

She laughed and looked down into the baby bed, but there was nothing there. “NO!” She fell to her knees, and screamed. “They took him! How? We were here the whole time!”

Chapter Ten

Tabatha heard the crunch of bones, and knew she was changing. There was nothing she could do about it, hurt and anger poured through her body. Someone had taken her baby, and they would die. Her dragon roared, she turned, and Hoyt’s family was now in the room. Wol-itelm stared down at her in his dragon form.

I know who took him. Go with Chax and Hoyt. I’ll bring your baby to you. And Tabby, remember what I said, you must watch yourself.
Wol-itelm rubbed his snout against hers.

I’m scared Draco. If they can come into our presence without us seeing or sensing them, how can we protect ourselves, let alone protect Drake?

After tonight Timble will not be a problem anymore. I’ve been too easy on him, but now he’s gone too far.

There was nothing she could do. Wol-itelm helped her transform back, clothing her as she shifted. Tabatha started to sway back and forth when Chax caught her. “You’ve done too much, you need to sleep. Wol-itelm will bring him home.”

Chax kissed her forehead, and when she looked around again, she noticed she was back home.

“Okay, this going back and forth is going to make me sick.” She laid her head down on Chax’s shoulder glad to be home in their bedroom.

“Tell me about it.” Hoyt sat down on the bed and shook his head.

“I don’t know how you guys do it.” Hoyt mumbled.

He frowned at the bedroom door as someone tapped on it. Chax set her on her feet and placed her behind him. Hoyt grabbed her from behind, and held onto her.

“Yea! It better be important to be disturbing us this late.” Chax growled, flinging open the door.

Ben stood there, a smile on his lips until he saw her. Tabatha watched anger flash across his face and then disappear to a frown. “I heard you were looking for me. I didn’t know my sister was back. Are you guys back together?” He went to step into the room and Chax stopped him.

“We have things to work out, we’ll let you know. And yes, we’ve been looking all day for you, but we’ll talk about it later. Good night.” Chax shut the door in his face and growled.

Did you see his face? Something isn’t right. I’m sorry Tabby, but until we make sure, I don’t want you alone with him at all.
Chax turned and stared at her.

I was hoping I had made a mistake about it, but earlier he did the same thing.
She shook her head, and walked to the bed, curling up on it. 
I just don’t know who to trust any more. What about Melody or Shane? This is going to destroy them, too.

Shane is already aware of it. He’s the one who told me about Ben’s disappearance today and the other day. He’s been trying to keep Melody away from him as much as possible. She suspects something isn’t right with him, but hasn’t said anything.
Hoyt crawled on the bed, lifting her into his arms.

“I’m sorry we didn’t get to finish our night, but we will, one night soon.”

Chax sat down on the other side of her, “Wol-itelm has found Timble and the baby. He is safe. He’ll be here in a minute.” He kissed her cheek.

“Tabby, we have some work to do when Wol-itelm gets here, and I think you need some time with him. Don’t you? Especially since he is disobeying protocol.” Chax gazed down at her, a smile played on his lips.

Tabatha turned to smile up at him and noticed a frown replace his smile. He got off the bed and started to pace.

“Chax, what’s wrong?” She looked down at her hands, which started to shake.

“Okay something is going on here…” Her head flew back, and hit the headboard. Her teeth ground together, and the breath was knocked out of her.

“What-the-hell is happening?” A wrenching sensation ripped through her body as Hoyt held onto her. Tears dripped down his face.

“I’m so sorry Tabby. He couldn’t do anything about it,” Hoyt whispered into her ear. “You have to remain calm. You can’t turn into the dragon here. Wol-itelm did everything he could.”

She tried to push away from him and sit up, but her body wouldn’t work with her. “What — are you talking about?” She glared at him, and then at Chax, who sat down next to them on the bed.

A deep growl came from the foot of the bed, “It seems Timble found Drake’s mother, and has talked her into keeping him.”

Wol-itelm’s eyes blazed red, staring down at her. “What you’re going through is the breaking of the bond. It should end soon. I’m sorry Tabby, there was nothing I could do. The mother and father both were there and they wouldn’t let him go.” A shot of fire escaped his mouth.

Tabatha shook her head back and forth. “They can’t do this.” She yanked out of Hoyt’s arms, and jumped off the bed. She could feel the crunch of bones and knew she was close to turning. She glanced at Wol-itelm, “Help me stop the change.” She gritted out and doubled over trying to relax.

Warm air surrounded her, along with strong arms. Wol-itelm nuzzled her neck, “Relax, little one. For the next month I’m afraid our lives are going to be rough. There will be danger everywhere. Isn’t it best he’s somewhere safe, and in his mother’s arms?” He kissed her temple.

Tears fell down her face, and her knees gave out, “I feel like there is a big hole in my heart, Draco. Make it go away.” She cried as he swept her up in his arms, hugging her body to his.

Tabatha buried her face into his chest. This was the last straw everything just came out. Giant sobs broke her body.

“Hush Tabby, you’re killing me here. We’ll have children, I promise. As many as you want.” Wol-itelm crooned to her, rocking her back and forth on the bed. Hoyt and Chax stood close, watching frowns marred both of their faces.

“I’m sorry, it’s just so much. When will it stop, Wol-itelm? I’m tired of being hurt.” She glanced up at him, than at Hoyt and Chax.

“I just wanted a normal life with children. I thought with Drake I could have some normalcy, but now that’s gone.”

Both Chax and Hoyt kneeled down in front of her and Wol-itelm, “We don’t know when all this is going to end Tabby. We wish we could give you that normal life, but I’m afraid it never will be. All we can do is to promise to protect you and love you. That’s all we have.” Chax wiped the tears that streamed down her face.

Tabatha gazed at Chax, and could see the pain in his eyes. Sitting up she kissed his cheek. “That is enough, Chax. I’ll get through this, as long as I have the three of you.”

She glanced up at Wol-itelm, and tried to smile at him. “Why don’t you and Hoyt go do what you have to Chax?” She turned and smiled at Hoyt and Chax.

“I just need to rest. I’m so tired, and Wol-itelm can stay with me. Maybe we can get to know each other better tonight.” She stood slowly her legs still wobbly.

Chax wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her nose. “I love you Tabby, never forget that.”

His lips scorched hers in a passionate, but gentle kiss. Chax raised his head, and grinned down at her, “Didn’t think I could do that, did ya?” He laughed, and turned to leave. Tabatha touched her lips in awe. She had always seen the Master, someone firm and fair, but this new man in front of her was filled with passion.

Never had she witnessed him being gentle, and HOT! “Okay now that is not fair. What else are you hiding from me mister?” She grinned and Hoyt stepped in front of her.

His hand cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry, Tabby, if I could have stopped her I would have, for you. You’re my life now, and you will always come first.” He wrapped on arm around her waist, and pulled her into his chest.