Dark Dawning (Totem Book 1) Read online

  Ametta and her sisters changed back, and Lucky shifted a few seconds later with a grunt. Hissing with pain, he pressed a hand to his side.

  “Okay. Let’s get Dad inside and propped up.” Saskia lifted one of Kunik’s arms.

  “I’ll get the other.” Lucky moved to help, but couldn’t stifle another pained growl.

  “You can’t even stand on your own.” Saskia shook her head. “Kin and I will take Dad in. Mett, you help Lucky.”

  Before Ametta could protest, Kinley and Saskia each had one of her father’s arms and hauled him up, draping his arms over their shoulders. Sure, they’d be able to handle their dad, but an ache stabbed at Ametta for being left out.

  At least Lucky looked just as ticked off about not being able to help, or about needing help. Probably both.

  Ametta stood and offered him her hands. “Come on. Let’s get inside.”

  “Let me catch my breath first.” Lucky rested on his heels, breathing heavily. “You think your dad will be okay?”

  “Yes.” She said it immediately, refusing to believe otherwise. And then the icing on her liar’s cake, she added, “I’m not worried about him at all.”

  “Good. I’m glad.” He gritted his teeth, hissing out as he gave a small shudder. Looking up at her, a slow smile spread over his lips.

  Nothing about this was amusing. Not one bit. “What?”

  “Just enjoying the view, hot stuff.”

  It took Ametta a few seconds to realize what he meant. Her arms immediately circled her naked body. But what was the point now? She threw her hands into the air. “You’re down there bleeding and taking the time to ogle me? Pervert.”

  “There’s nothing perverted about you. Not at all. It’s sweet perfection.” Lucky ran his free hand up her leg.

  A streak of heat jolted her at the contact, and her heart did a little pitter-patter. Gorgeous as he was, this was not happening. She batted his hand away. “Get up. And try not to grope me as I help you inside.”

  “A guy could take that in so many ways.” He chuckled and pushed himself into a standing position. He wobbled and rested a hand on her shoulder to steady himself.

  Heat flared in her face. God, this man! She didn’t know whether to knee him or kiss him. Wait. No. She was only going to help him to the couch, and then he was out of her hands.

  Wrapping an arm around his middle, she was careful of his wound. More of their bodies touched, and the desire that surged through her betrayed her chaste intentions. How could she think about such things when her dad was almost killed? She kept her eyes on the door as they walked. Though she could hear his heart thumping and smell his arousal.

  Lucky was smart enough not to say anything else as she helped him into the living room and onto the couch. He let out a soft groan as his body settled back.

  “I’m going to get a towel and water to clean your side, and a blanket and pillow so you can rest.” Ametta headed toward the bathroom.

  “But no clothes. You want to keep me naked.” His gravelly voice teased her.

  Ametta huffed and marched off. If only she knew the Black Shamans’ magic trick of dressing when she shifted. All of them could do it, in case they had to blend in with humans right away. She was pretty sure that Saskia said they could choose whatever they wanted to wear too. Now that would be a handy bit of magic. To never have to pack clothes for another trip or even shop again.

  Before the bathroom, she stopped at the master bedroom. Kinley and Saskia propped Kunik up on a pile of pillows. Their dad looked so frail, and he was a man who had never been less than robust in his life.

  Ametta bit the inside of her cheek as tears blurred her vision. No crying. “Will he be okay?”

  “He’ll heal.” Saskia tucked a blanket around Kunik, tender with her callused hands.

  “I’d like to be able to get the blood out of his lung. He’ll heal faster that way. Maybe we should call 911.” Kinley used an old towel to dab at the wound. She wiped her wet cheeks with the back of her other hand.

  “No,” Saskia barked. “Absolutely not. Dad would be insulted. He’ll be fine. I’ve got to go.”

  Saskia pushed past Ametta and raced out of the cabin. True, their father would be angry if they called the paramedics, but none of them were healers. They didn’t know how badly he was injured. Internal wounds didn’t heal as fast as external ones.

  “Who would do such a horrible thing?” Kinley sat on the bed next to Kunik. Without her glasses and geeky clothes, she looked like a different woman. A woman shrouded in sorrow.

  Ametta gritted her teeth as she shook her head. A tear caught itself in her long lashes. “I don’t know, but Azarius and Saskia will find them.”

  And kill them.

  “I’ll go see to Lucky, but then I’ll come back and help you with Dad.” Ametta hurried to the bathroom without waiting to see what her sister would say. Not that Kinley said anything.

  Grabbing a towel and first aid kit, she left the bathroom to snatch a blanket from the hall linen closet and returned to Lucky. He remained in the same positioned she left him with his eyes closed and his head leaning back against the top of the couch.

  He’d stopped bleeding and still was without a stitch of clothing. Holy hell. This man did not look at all frail. And robust didn’t seem a powerful enough word.

  Lucky opened his eyes as she approached. “I almost fell asleep there. Your dad?”

  Ametta swallowed and tossed the blanket beside him. She turned, going to the kitchen to fetch some water to clean him and hide the emotion on her face about her father’s condition. “He’ll be fine. He’ll be stuck in bed for at least a few days, which he’ll absolutely hate, but he’ll recover in no time.”

  “Good.” Lucky sighed.

  She took out two bottles of water, took in a deep breath to compose herself, and went back to where he was on the couch. “Drink one. I’ll clean you with the other.”

  “Thanks.” He took the bottle she offered him, twisted off the lid, and took a long drink. “I can clean myself, you know. If you want to go help your sister with your dad. Maybe see to your… Well, your arm is healed already.”

  Lucky skimmed his fingers over the sticky blood where the bullet had zoomed by her. She’d forgotten about her own wound. Had she really been that close to getting shot? Not only had her dad almost died, but a few inches to the left, she would have been dead herself. The other water bottle slipped from her fingers and bounced on the side of the couch to the floor.

  “Hey, it’s okay.” Lucky took her hand in his and tugged her to him. Nothing in her protested. He pulled her onto his lap, pressing her to his good side, and wrapped his arms around her. “You’re okay. Your dad’s all right. Everything will work out.”

  His warmth surrounded her, and her smaller body snugly fitted against his. She felt safe in his arms. So easily could she close her eyes and let this horrible day drain away until she fell asleep. His heart thumped, loud and calming. Her feet tingled as heat returned to them. Had she been this cold all along?

  Tempting as it was, immensely so, she regained some sense of reason. She wasn’t a little girl to be coddled. And she also wasn’t the injured one here. Time to pull up her big girl panties.

  Oh God. Neither of them was wearing clothes.

  Ametta rose slowly and went about cleaning his wound. “Thank you.”

  His arms remained spread as if enticing her to come back to him again. “Any time. I’m here if you need me.”

  She nodded and finished washing him. After bandaging him, she stood and motioned to the couch. “Get some rest. I’m going to lock everything up and then see to my dad.”

  His gaze bore into her. Ametta looked away, turning to the bedrooms. He said something, but even though she didn’t quite hear it, she felt it. A little shiver went through her at his fierce earnestness.

  Sleep was not going to come easy.

  The more Kunik healed over the course of the next two days, the whinier he got. Ametta wondered if he re
membered who was the parent.

  “If you get up from that bed one more time, I’m tying you there.” Ametta tried to push him back against the pile of pillows.

  “I’d like to see you try.” Her dad snarled and stood, staring down at her.

  Of course he didn’t listen. But she didn’t make idle threats. When she fetched some rope from the shed, Kinley stepped in and coaxed their father back into bed. The temptation to tie the old man down next time he fell asleep made Ametta keep the rope in the house.

  What Kunik needed was a hobby. Other than fishing. Like crosswords or whatever old men did while sitting around at home.

  Ametta had her work to keep her occupied. Trapped in a house with two grumbling men, she spent much of the time on Kinley’s laptop working. There would always be something to do even if that was toying around with redecorating the cabin. Not that her dad would allow it, but with all the glassy eyed fish ogling her, it was nice to imagine what some tasteful modern works of art would look like on repainted walls.

  Yes, fresh paint over the wood. Maybe light gray with charcoal accents. Masculine and modern. New furniture and cupboards for the kitchen would be needed. Saskia could make something that suited their father’s tastes.

  Speaking of which, where were Saskia and Azarius? Her eldest sister could more than handle herself, but the fact Saskia hadn’t returned made Ametta think the worst. She peered out the back door while playing cards with Lucky and Kinley, barely paying attention to the game.

  When Kinley brought out her board games, that was the last straw. Ametta couldn’t take any more of this waiting around crap.

  “I’m going to search for them.” Ametta dug out a pair of her old hiking boots from the second bedroom’s closet.

  “You can’t. Azarius told us to stay here.” Kinley’s protest didn’t carry much oomph. She eyed the front door too.

  “I’m coming with you.” Lucky stood beside Ametta, arms folded over his incredible bare chest. All he wore was an old pair of her dad’s sweatpants.

  She’d caught herself staring at his hot body way too often over the past few days. Kneeling down to focus on tying her boots, Ametta shook her head. “No. You’re recovering. And besides, what would you wear? We’re not going to be running around as bears.”

  “You’re not going out there alone when some bastard is hunting shifters,” Lucky shot back. He turned and marched toward the master bedroom. “I bet your father would lend me some of his clothes, especially when he hears you’re going out of the house.”

  “No!” Dammit. Ametta growled. That man played dirty. If her dad knew she was leaving, he’d try to stop her. Or want to come with them.

  Lucky stopped and smirked at her over his shoulder.

  Ametta squeezed her hands into fists and slowly stood. “All right. Just don’t tell Dad. I’ll get you something to wear.”

  Thankfully, her dad was lazy when it came to chores. Most of his clothes, clean and dirty, were in the laundry room. Which was really just a glorified closet off the kitchen. Ametta stuck her chin in the air and strode to the nook. Kunik was bigger in the gut than Lucky, but his jeans would be fine. No flannel, though. Alaska didn’t need any more men in flannel plaid shirts. She found a black sweatshirt and socks just as Lucky came up behind her.

  “Go get dressed. I’ll find some boots for you.”

  “Thanks, hot stuff.” Lucky winked at her as he took the clothes. “What’s your plan?”

  Ametta mentally threw fireballs at him as he slipped on the shirt. Maybe if she took off running now, he might not be able to find her. He had a point, though.

  “We need a solid starting point. We can’t just go out back and wander into the woods.” Ametta knew this land almost as well as her family. If the killers were anywhere in the area, Saskia would’ve found them. Which way to go?

  “Let’s take your car. Look for signs along the road that someone may have recently parked nearby,” Lucky suggested. So he was more than just a pretty face. Brains and brawn.

  “Okay. Change.” Ametta scooted out of the laundry room just as he started doing exactly that. The man had no sense of modesty.

  He grunted as he bent over to dress. His wound wasn’t fully healed yet. Perhaps she should really make a break for it and leave him to rest.

  “Don’t do it,” Kinley said in a quiet tone. How did she know what Ametta was thinking? “I’m glad he’s going with you. I feel you’ll be safer together.”

  Ametta sighed in resignation. It was always best to trust Kinley’s hunches. “Yes, I guess that’s true. Will you make sure that Dad doesn’t know we’re gone for a while? Keep him in bed. Make him rest and heal.”

  “Yeah, give me the more difficult job.” Kinley snorted and smiled a little, but it flickered and fell away.

  Ametta’s heart thumped, sympathizing with her sister. She gathered Kinley in a hug. “I’ll find Saskia.”

  “I know. Just be careful.” Kinley gave her a squeeze before releasing her. She then pointed to a pair of Kunik’s boots by the back door. “Those should be okay for Lucky.”

  “Thanks.” Ametta grabbed the boots and some water from the fridge.

  Lucky came out of the laundry room with the jeans barely hanging onto his hips and the black shirt making the gold flecks in his eyes stand out all the more. Even in shoddy clothes, he looked hot. She held out the boots to him. “Come on. I’m tired of sitting around here waiting.”

  Lucky nodded. “All right. I’ll drive.”

  “I don’t think so.” Ametta snorted and walked out of the cabin. “My car, I drive.”

  He stuffed his feet into the boots and hurried after her. “You’ve got the eye for detail, and you know this area. Best if you’re watching the sides of the road.”

  Ametta opened her mouth to argue with him, but snapped it shut. Again, he had a point.

  Just focus on finding Saskia. That’s all that mattered.

  She retrieved her keys from her purse and handed them over to Lucky. Settling into the passenger’s side, she squirmed and readjusted the seat. Not driving her own car had her even more tense.

  Thankfully the morning was bright and clear, and no rain had fallen recently. Soon it would get stormy as autumn set in, but summer was still lapping at their toes.

  “So, I’m curious.” Lucky drove down the long dirt driveway with one hand relaxed on top of the wheel. “Saskia said she wasn’t a Black Shaman, but crow guy acts like she is. I thought she was one too, when I first laid eyes upon her. Had she been one before?”

  “Azarius,” Ametta elongated the name. “Saskia trained to be one, but she quit. Yet she’s just as good as any of them.”

  Saskia could’ve been one of the best, and while she admired her sister for that fact, she respected her even more for why she didn’t take that calling. Saskia was not a killer. And while the Black Shamans brought justice to shifters gone bad, killing was killing no matter what.

  “Your dad was one too, wasn’t he?” Lucky held up a hand. “Don’t bother to say he was or wasn’t. I can tell by the way he moves, by how he looks at things. Much like your sister. And you.”

  Ametta narrowed her eyes. Nosy, wasn’t he? Yes, her father had been a Black Shaman, but he quit when he met her mother. But her? She was the opposite of her dad and Saskia. They tried to interest her in hunting and fighting, but though she learned a few things, her passions always laid with art and fashion.

  “I’m not like them.” She kept her eyes on the road.

  “Yes, you are. You’re fierce and focused.” Lucky steered around a big pothole and threw a grin at her. “Bet you’re a firecracker in the sack.”

  Her eyes widened, but she contained the urge to hit him. What the hell? This was her car. She could kick him out any time she wanted. But part of her wondered what kind of lover he’d be. Could he match her intensity?

  Change the subject! “What about Kinley? You didn’t include her.”

  Lucky chuckled quietly and then shrugged. “I don’t
know. Kinley’s sort of a puzzle. She’s sweet, but she sort of fades in the background, especially around the rest of you.”

  Not untrue. Kinley had always been the quiet peacemaker. After their mother had passed away, Kinley took over most of the household duties. Saskia was the oldest, but she rebelled, and her dad wallowed in grief for a long while. Ametta, being three at the time, couldn’t do much at all, and so Kinley, at six years old, cared for her and their father.

  And they’d almost lost their dad to some cowardly hunter hiding behind a gun. Her stomach churned, and she bit the side of her tongue to distract her from the tears that threatened to sneak out.

  “What has you so lost in thought?” Lucky laid his right hand on her thigh. She straightened and composed herself.

  “Nothing.” Ametta shook her head. Nothing that concerned him anyway.

  Mind back on the job. Were they really going to find any trace of Saskia or the gunmen this way? Even if they did find some tire tracks, it wouldn’t do them any good. There’d be little chance it would have something to do with the hunters.

  She tapped her chin. There had to be a better way. A human man and woman who hunted shifters. Why? Maybe they thought them monsters. The bodies disappeared. Trophy hunters? Shifters would be the ultimate prey. The intelligence of a human and the strength of their animal.

  There were two bigger questions here. How did they discover their victims were shifters? And how did they manage to keep up with their prey? Plus hide their trails? Okay, that was three questions.

  “Who knows you’re a shifter?” She tilted her head to the side as she looked at him.

  “Not many. The other Kodiak shifters. Their families, a few of our friends.” Lucky peered at her as his jaw hardened. “None of them would tell anyone else, if that’s what you’re implying.”

  “But somehow someone knew you’re a shifter.” Very few people in her life had the knowledge she was a shifter. And if they knew, only certain ones were privy to what her animal was. “If I had a list of who the other missing shifters were, maybe we could do some research and find out if you all had anything in common. But since we don’t and that would take too long, we have to go on what we do know.”