“It was not planned,” Magnus assured him.
Mortimer grunted at that, and then rubbed the back of his neck before saying, “So, here is our problem. That accident on the highway appears to have been deliberate. The driver had been controlled. However, we do not think it can be connected to the attack in Vancouver, because whoever set up the car accident could not have followed you to Vancouver, and none of the Enforcers—who were the only people who could know you were out there—were in Vancouver, except for you three. However, now there has been another attack here, a very well-planned attack. But the only people who could know you would be the one sent to the barn are our people.” He raised his eyebrows at her. “Do you have any idea what the hell is going on?”
Beth shook her head solemnly. “Sorry. No.”
Mortimer grimaced, but nodded. “I did not think so, but was hoping.”
“Each attack was pre-planned,” Scotty said now, the words coming through clenched teeth.
Beth was aware that she wasn’t the only one to look at him. Everyone was watching him now, waiting for him to continue, and probably noticing—like her—that he was obviously suffering. The man was extremely pale. He was also sweating as he struggled with the pain of healing. And there wasn’t a damned thing they could do to help him if he was allergic to the tranquilizers.
“At least somewhat,” he added with a frown. “The first one could have been a case of opportunity. The immortal behind this could ha’e been followin’ Beth, spotted the truck pullin’ girders as it drove onto the highway and then simply took control o’ the driver and caused the accident. But the second one . . .” He glanced to Beth. “The mortal was taken control of and sent into the ladies’ room to lure ye out to the alley where the immortal was waitin’ with a sword. That took a little more plannin’.”
“And the last one was all plan,” Beth continued for him. “The barn was set with traps, the call was made to bring someone out, presumably me, and then . . .” She shrugged and raised her eyebrows. “What does that mean?”
Scotty closed his eyes. His hands and jaw were clenched, and Beth was sure she could see a difference in him. To her it looked like there was less black on his head and face, and more red, wet, raw skin.
“I do no’ ken,” he said at last on an expelled breath and shook his head on the pillow. “I think it means something, but I can no’ think just now.”
Everyone was silent for a moment, and then Magnus said, “Well, perhaps we should all take some time and think about it. In the meantime, you need to rest and heal, Scotty.”
“What we need to do is place guards on Beth,” Scotty countered, his voice rough with pain. “She is never to be alone. She is to go on no more hunts. In fact, she should no’ leave this house until we sort out who is after her and catch them.”
Beth had to bite her tongue to keep from protesting. She really, really wanted to, and if Scotty were his normal strong, healthy self, she would. But he wasn’t. Scotty was in no shape to argue. He was in a bad way, and it was all thanks to her. To his trying to save her. Beth shook her head slightly, still finding it hard to believe he’d done that. She truly didn’t understand the man. Nothing he did made sense to her. He didn’t want her, but he risked himself to save her. Because there was nothing riskier to an immortal than fire. It was like putting a match to pure alcohol. Whoosh, up they went. It was amazing they were both still alive.
“My bodyguards and I will help guard Beth,” Kira offered, although the word offered was something of a misnomer. The Russian’s offer was actually more of an announcement . . . as usual, Beth thought with amusement, and smiled at the woman as she commented, “You don’t appear angry about being sent on joke jobs.”
Kira shrugged. “I am new one. New always starts at bottom. Is how you learn . . . and I am learning,” she added solemnly.
Magnus smiled faintly. “And what have you learned . . . besides not to throw yourself on a burning immortal?” he added dryly.
“A lot,” Kira assured him, and then glanced at Beth and praised her. “You are good teacher. At barn I learn never to rush in. To be patient, like you. And to be cautious, and see everything. You saw both traps before they were sprung.”
“Not soon enough,” Beth said unhappily. “I should have considered that there might be a second lever where Oksana fell that acted as a secondary trip for another trap once her weight was taken off. As Liliya said, everyone would rush in to help the downed person, and that is when the second trap could do the most damage.”
Kira shook her head. “You cannot know everything.”
“Still, I’m sorry about Oksana,” Beth said solemnly. The first thing she’d asked about on waking the first time was how the Russian had fared. She already knew that Liliya had dropped the Russian Amazon’s upper body when the explosion knocked her to the ground, and that she was dazed and confused when Rickart reached her and carried her out. Liliya hadn’t recalled about Oksana’s upper body until it was too late. Only the woman’s lower body and lower arms had survived the fire, and her lower body had got pretty charred along with Beth . . . and Scotty, she added silently, glancing to the man in bed next to her. His eyes were tightly closed, his face a rictus of agony.
“Da, that was bad,” Kira said, drawing her attention again as she admitted, “I no like Oksana. Was hoping for excuse to send her ass back, but not just ass.”
A wholly inappropriate giggle tried to slip out of Beth, and she had to cover her mouth to hold it back. There was nothing funny about any of this. The woman was dead.
“Right,” Mortimer said suddenly, straightening. “Rachel, do whatever you came up here to do. The rest of us will clear out,” he announced and then added, “Magnus, I need you and Kira to come to my office.”
Thirteen
The room cleared out quickly, leaving just Rachel, Beth, and Scotty. Rachel immediately retrieved five bags of blood from the refrigerator they’d moved into the room. She offered one to Beth with a small smile. “There’s nothing I need do for you. More blood and some rest and you’ll be good to go.”
“Thank you,” Beth murmured, accepting the blood.
Rachel nodded, then turned to set three of the remaining bags on the bed next to Scotty and handed him the fourth as she said, “Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do for you except offer you blood. I’m afraid you’re just going to have to work through the pain of healing somehow.”
Scotty grunted as he accepted the offered bag and then muttered, “It will no’ be the first time,” before slapping it to his fangs.
Rachel glanced back to Beth and said, “I’ll check on you later. Rest now.”