Rebecca Zanetti: Claimed

“Well. You are the king.” A dark edge still licked at the king’s emotions from the snapping of control when he’d thought she’d died, an edge she’d need to smooth. In time. She glanced over to where Talen stood with an arm wrapped securely around Cara. “What do you think Milner meant about the prophesy? About the child?”

Dage shrugged, running his fingers down Emma’s arm to clasp her hand. “I think Milner had gone crazy. We’re tracing his movements for the past hundred years to determine where he went off track, but it’ll take a while.”

“Did he actually work with the Kurjans?”

“Yes. We’ve found e-mails embedded in his computer.” Dage sighed. “It’s unthinkable really.”

Emma fought against the fear of another attack. “Do you think he told them about the headquarters underground? I mean, could they be coming for us here?”

Dage tightened his grip. “It doesn’t look like he got the chance. But we’re still moving tomorrow.” He lowered his head to press a gentle kiss on her ear. “To a place with a fantastic lab for my scientist.”

Warmth slid through her from his whispering breath, and she cleared her throat when he rose back up to his full impressive height. “Speaking of which, so far the tests on Cara’s blood are encouraging.” She’d need to conduct more tests later. Emma surveyed the room. “Where’s Caleb?”

“He left to escort Prophet Guiles home before heading to train his troops somewhere in the Midwest.” Dage placed his beer on the mantle. “Caleb’s determined to ignore the prophesy marking as long as possible.”

“Do you think he’ll succeed?”

“No. Fate wins every time. Our only choice is to claim it.” The king dropped his head again to run his heated mouth along her bare shoulder.

Emma shivered, her gaze wandering around the room. The shifters laughed over by the pool table while Kane and Jase jockeyed for position next to Janie on the sofa. Conn handed Lily a glass of what looked like punch by a table sporting a huge cake decorated with horses.

“What are you looking at, love?” Dage whispered into her ear.

Warmth slid through her heart. “Family.”

He chuckled. “We’ll stay until Janie opens her presents. Then I have plans for my mouth and your body.”

Emma settled back into his hard chest. Now that was a plan she could certainly embrace.

Sound asleep, cuddled in her bed in the underground Colorado headquarters, Janie sighed. She wondered if Zane remembered her birthday.

He jogged out from behind a wall of rock, a bunch of pink balloons in his hand. She took them with a happy squeal. “You remembered.”

“Of course.” He rolled his pretty green eyes. “You reminded me every time I saw you last month.”

Well. Boys sometimes forgot important stuff. “I’ve missed you.” She released the balloons to float into the sky.

He watched the balloons rise with a grin and nodded, yanking a small black box out of his jeans. “I’ve missed you too. Happy birthday.”

Janie took the smooth velvet box and slowly opened the lid. A fragile silver chain held a sparkling horseshoe at the end. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

Zane smiled. “I know you like horses, and we need good luck, so ...” He took the box from her and unclasped the necklace, motioning for her to turn around.

She reached for the horseshoe when he placed the chain around her neck and secured the fastening. “Thank you, Zane.”

He maneuvered her around to face him. “The necklace looks pretty on you. You’re welcome.” A frown settled between his eyes. “I wish you could take your present with you, but this is just a dream.”

She smiled up the several inches to his strong face. “I’ll keep the sparkles in my memory.”

“Good idea.” He brushed his thick hair back from his forehead. “I’d send your present to you, but I don’t know where you are.”

Janie shrugged. “We’re moving tomorrow to somewhere new, and they won’t tell me where.” Not that she didn’t have a good idea, but she wasn’t completely sure.

Zane frowned. “Why are you moving?”

Janie cocked her head to the side. “No one will tell me.”

“Oh. Well, I’m sure the king is doing his best to keep you safe.” Zane glanced toward the rocks and back again. “I must go, Janie Belle. I’ll leave you for the king to protect for now.”

Janie grinned. “He thinks that’s his job.”

Zane’s dimples flashed at her. “Your safety is the king’s duty right now. Someday it’ll be mine.”

Janie nodded, watching Zane walk away until he faded into the mist. Boys. She wasn’t sure how or why, but the safety of them all would end on her shoulders.

She awoke from the dream with a start, her gaze wandering around her pretty room inside the earth, softly lit by a night-light in the corner. Her clothes lay packed in boxes near the door. Mr. Mullet had fallen to the floor, and she reached down to grab him by the hair.

A sparkle caught her eye.

Sitting up in bed, she perched Mr. Mullet on her lap and clasped the horseshoe necklace around her neck. She smiled.

Zane.