Anne thought back to every instance she had seen Kendrick use magic. "Meryn, I don't think real witches use wands like that. I've never seen Kendrick use one."
"I've never seen Keelan or Quinn use one either, Meryn," Rheia added from the back.
"Hmmmm." Meryn stared out the window.
"Besides, you're forbidden to use magic, remember?" Rheia reminded her.
"If Amelia didn't get in trouble for turning herself into a dog, I think I'm okay," Meryn protested.
"Is this it?" Anne asked as a large building came in view.
"Yup, that's it," Rheia answered.
Anne parked by the door and they got out. Rheia pointed out the different exam rooms and testing equipment as they walked by them.
"What are all these boxes?" Meryn asked, pointing into the supply room.
"Those are gifts from Éire Danu and Noctem Falls. A little birdie by the name of Elizabeth Monroe made some phone calls, and suddenly, I'm knee deep in much needed supplies," a warm male voice answered.
"Hey Adam!" Meryn yelled, running up to the large stranger.
Adam swept her up into a tight hug. "Hello, baby sister!" He set her down and looked at Anne. "And who's this? A new patient?"
Rheia wrapped an arm around her shoulders and walked her forward. "This is our new nurse. Adam meet Anne Bennett, Kendrick's mate. She was the one who helped me with the casualties from the hostage situation. I swear she was amazing. She always seemed to be exactly where I needed her. She's also the one taking care of Keelan for us at the house."
Adam stretched his hand out, and when they shook hands, she noticed he had calluses on his palms.
Adam rubbed the back of his neck when he caught her staring. "I started training with the Beta Unit. After the past couple attacks, I wanted to get back into top fighting condition."
"Who in the hell would want to fight you? You're huge." Anne asked, looking up.
Adam's booming laughter made her smile. He was so much more open and friendly than his surly younger brother. Then again, Adam didn't have a mate like Meryn to keep an eye on, either.
"You'd be surprised how many ferals don't pay attention to such things." Adam held up his arm. "Ladies, let's get these exams over with so I can check on my little niece or nephew."
Rheia turned to her. "Anne, could you go back to the supply room and try to get it organized? If we have enough supplies to spare, can you pack up some basics to take back to the house?"
Anne nodded. "Sure thing. Kendrick's joke about me counting tongue depressors has come true."
"Thank you so much. We won't be long, so don't feel like you have to organize everything. We'll leave the bulk of it for Adam to finish, but anything you can do to get him started would be a help." Rheia looked back to where Meryn waited for her in the hall.
Anne shooed her away. "Go on, I'll be fine."
Anne walked down the hall and went into the supply room. After about an hour, she had grouped boxes together and had opened enough of them to put together four field kits. If they needed anything else, they could grab it later. She swung the backpack full of supplies on her shoulder and stepped out into the hallway.
The hairs on her neck began to stand straight up. Trying not to be too obvious, she stopped at the water fountain and turned her head to look down the hall. It was empty, but then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the air shimmer. It was a cross between what the air looked like before Felix had appeared and the heat waves that rose off the road on a summer day. Something was stalking her.
She turned and fought every instinct screaming at her to keep her pace normal. She walked as normally as she could until she was in front of Adam's office door. "Guys, all clear to come in?" she yelled.
"Yup, our legs are closed and we're clothed," Meryn quipped.
Anne forced herself to laugh. She opened the door and closed it quickly, throwing the lock. Swallowing hard, she felt like her heart was in her throat.
Adam stood. "Anne?"
Anne shook her head, pointed to the door, and mouthed the words, Something is out there.
Adam picked up the receiver on his desk phone and lifted it to his ear. Seconds later, he put it back on the cradle and shook his head.
Meryn dove into her backpack and pulled out her phone. Her tiny fingers began moving. Seconds crawled by like hours. With tears streaming down her face, Meryn shook her head. "I never had this problem when Keelan was the one answering Aiden's phone," she hissed.
Anne looked at Adam and Rheia. "Cell?" she whispered.
"I left mine at home," Adam confessed.
"Mine's in the car," Rheia said, her voice shaking.
Anne was about to respond when the doorknob jiggled. Seconds later, something slammed against the door. Adam jumped over his desk and braced himself against the door.
"Adam!" Rheia screamed as the door was hit again.
Anne took a deep breath and thought of Kendrick. She found that warm energy from the night before and began to follow it. Slowly, very slowly she floated back toward the Alpha estate. When it came into view, she passed through the walls to the second floor.
Kendrick was smiling and talking excitedly to Basil who was holding a crystal in his hands.
Kendrick!
Kendrick turned quickly in the direction of the clinic; there was no trace of laughter on his face now.
Kendrick! Help!
That was all she could say before she felt herself being pulled back. When she opened her eyes, Rheia cradled her in her arms.