Page 10

Lanie/Lamia

L anie wasn’t surprised when she entered her house a few days later to find Ranson and Mac waiting for her. Ranson looked a lot better, and Mac appeared relaxed, but he was on edge.

“We explained your absence as being necessary due to the attack,” Ranson said by way of opening.

“Hello to you too,” Lanie replied and smirked as Ranson blushed slightly.

“Good morning, Lanie,” he responded.

“I did message Laura, and she rescheduled everything. But thank you for taking your time to look out for me.”

“Fisher is driving today, and Mac will be in the back with you,” Ranson said.

“Is Fisher…?” Lanie let the sentence fade as Ranson shook his head.

“Just Mac and me, please remember that,” Ranson replied softly.

“Okay, let’s go because I’m pretty sure my day is chock-a-block with meetings.” Lanie sighed.

She wasn’t wrong. Laura had even only scheduled a fifteen-minute lunch break. Lanie could kick herself, but she had not realised how much time she’d lost in Refuge. She would be more careful in the future.

Lanie replied to emails and phone calls and worked up till eight at night. She was yawning when she left the office. Security around her was heavy. Simon Clare had evaded capture, and his face had been splashed everywhere. But he’d gone to ground. Lanie barely ate her dinner before she was asleep. She was still catching up with the shocks she’d recently received.

The following week went much the same way. She caught the worried looks Ranson and Mac were sending her over her long hours, but she had to put in the extra time.

Finally, on Friday, Lanie hit her intercom and called for Mac and Ranson.

“What’s up?” Mac asked, entering.

“I’ve finished for the day. Everything is caught up,” Lanie answered.

“About time. You were putting in some stupid hours,” Ranson replied as he appeared in the doorway. “I’ll call Fisher for the car.”

“How about I cook for you?” Mac suggested.

“How about we order in?” Lanie counteroffered.

“We can do that,” Mac replied happily.

“Why do I feel like a third wheel?” Ranson complained as they headed towards the lift.

Lanie felt guilty. “I’m sorry. Would you like to join us?”

“No, I do not crash dates,” Ranson teased.

“It’s not a date!” Lanie exclaimed.

“Thanks, bro!” Mac said at the same time.

Lanie looked at Mac, aghast, and shook her head. “You can’t say that!” “I don’t want my cousin around when I am on a date with you,” Mac replied.

“It’s not a date.”

“Lanie, it’s a date. There’ll be food, movies, and kissing. Lots of it. Ranson does not need to be seeing that!”

Lanie blushed, and Mac grinned as Ranson groaned. “Jesus.”

“Let’s go home before Ranson gets all squirrely and embarrassed,” Mac teased. Lanie slid in the back of the car and sent them both stern looks.

Yet, in her stomach, there were butterflies. Which made no sense. Because if Alainen had been her soul mate, then why was Mac getting to her? Because the damn man was. Mac was making her feel things she’d not experienced since Alainen’s betrayal. And that made Lanie very unsure of herself.

◆◆◆

“Get out now,” Ranson ordered, bursting into Lanie’s office two days later.

“What?” Lanie exclaimed, looking up in surprise.

“The biohazard sensors just went off in the sorting office. The entire building is evacuating. Lanie, go!” Ranson commanded.

“Where’s Mac?”

“Checking the car out. Move your ass, now. Because even you are vulnerable to toxins!”

Lanie got to her feet and groaned. Not those damn stairs again. Instead, he headed for a cupboard and pulled out two face masks. He placed one on her and shoved her towards her private elevator.

“Do my staff have these?” Lanie demanded, worried.

“Yes. It was part of the recent security overhaul. After the attacks with bio-toxins, face masks were put in the bottom draw of every desk,” Ranson explained, and her shoulders relaxed.

Lanie didn’t want to be responsible for anyone’s death.

“This is Alainen,” she said, and Ranson nodded.

“For sure. Which is why Mac and Fisher left to fetch the car. We think he’s looking to isolate you,” Ranson said.

“How does he know who I am?” Lanie wondered as the elevator doors opened and they stepped inside.

“Good question. He must have something, but I can’t think what. Nothing about Lamia has got past me. Although there’s been nothing to link you to her,” Ranson responded.

“Are you going to betray me? Are you working with him?” Lanie asked, fear seizing her gut.

“No. Not us. And I doubt anyone has betrayed you. Alainen has found you in the past, hasn’t he?” Ranson mused.

“Because I couldn’t shift,” Lanie replied.

“True. But has he found you since you could?” Ranson questioned.

“No.”

Lanie’s phone rung, and she ignored it. The doors opened into the garage, and she was surprised to see Mac and Fisher there.

“Car is compromised. We’re heading outside to be with the crowd,” Mac announced.

“I won’t expose everyone to a toxin,” Lanie said, pulling back.

“How high is the risk this madman would do that?” Mac demanded with a glance at Lanie.

“High,” she replied tersely.

Her phone rang again, and Lanie growled. “Hello?” she said, answering.

“Hello, Lamia,” Alainen drawled.

“Sorry, you’ve the wrong number,” Lanie stated and hung up. The blood drained from her face, and her hands shook.

“Lanie?” Mac asked.

“Alainen. He has my phone number,” Lanie whispered.

Ranson shot a glance at Fisher. “We’re getting Miss Cross to a public location. She’ll be safer there. Keep your mask on, and go ahead and check the route is clear.”

“Will do, boss,” Fisher said as Lanie’s mobile rang again.

Mac cupped her face. “Play it cool and unconcerned.”

“Okay.” Lanie answered the call a second time. “Hello?”

“Don’t you dare hang up on me!” Alainen snapped.

“Who is this?” Lanie demanded.

“Do not play dumb!” Alainen snarled.

“Look, I’ve no idea who the hell you are or what you want. Either identify yourself or stop wasting my time!” Lanie retorted in return. “You have five seconds.”

“Lamia…”

“At least get my name right… wait. Lamia? That’s what that crazy idiot called me when he tried to kill me! Are you working with him? Do you know where he is?” Lanie babbled.

“Shut up!” Alainen roared.

“Yeah, you’re done. This call will be logged with the police along with your number, asshole,” Lanie retorted and hung up.

“He’s watching, or he has got someone near,” Mac murmured. “Keep acting like a human who is being harassed by a man she doesn’t know.”

“The exit is clear!” Fisher shouted, and they began moving out. Lanie kept up a meaningless complaint, looking irate and waving her hands about. To anyone watching, she looked like a businesswoman whose day had been rudely interrupted.

Lanie pointed to the police, who were arriving alongside the fire brigade and ambulance service.

They headed in that direction, and Lanie started speaking to the officer in charge. Ranson was giving a report, and the police began setting up a cordon. Sirens wailed, and Lanie watched as the cops isolated her staff to check for potential contamination.

Lanie watched wide-eyed as governmental departments and counter-terrorism units arrived.

The media was also out in force. A government worker herded them all over to a tent that had been set up and began issuing orders.

“It was anthrax, and the packing was unstable. There has been a possible leak, and there’s the potential for contamination. Everyone needs to be decontaminated and checked over,” Mac said, glancing at Lanie.

“I’m going to give the police Alainen,” Ranson murmured.

Lanie’s brows drew together. “Is that wise?” “It’s what a human businessman would do. They’d also give a statement about their employees’ safety. Lanie, you need to react normally,” Mac muttered.

“Okay. Set things up. Do I have to talk to the press?” Lanie hated the media.

“Yes. Let’s get you decontaminated and checked, and then we’ll deal with everything,” Ranson said.

Several hours later, after speaking to the police and telling them everything, starting with Simon Clare and ending with the two phone calls, Lanie sighed inwardly. She was now sitting at a desk after law enforcement called a media interview due to the frenzy being caused.

The police had informed Lanie what to talk about and what to keep back, and Lanie had answered a barrage of questions.

“And no blackmail call has been received?” a reporter asked for the third time.

“No. I’ve no idea what this Alainen’s problem is. But somebody out there knows who he is. I beg of you, please contact the police. This poor man is unstable and fixated. He is dangerous. The police have advised no one to approach, and after today, I strongly agree with that,” Lanie replied.

“Are you offering a reward?” someone asked.

“For someone doing the right thing and saving lives? No. Is human decency so dead that nobody would do the right thing without a monetary reward?” Lanie challenged.

“Well, it may encourage the people who know him to come forward,” a slimy reporter said.

“You might have lost faith in humanity, I haven’t. I believe if someone knows who he is, they will contact the police because they have decency in their heart,” Lanie snapped.

Inwardly, she smirked. Nobody would come forward. Alainen would be protected, but it put the pressure on the Hunters for now.

“Miss Cross, do you think this person is obsessed with you? Could be a former lover?” someone asked.

“My private life remains exactly that. But no, I don’t know an Alainen. I have no comment for you on my dating activities,” Lanie replied.

A flurry of questions was yelled at her, and Lanie swapped glances with the police officers next to her.

“That’s enough, as you’re all aware, this has been a long day for Miss Cross,” an officer said, and Lanie got to her feet.

Reporters shouted further questions, but Lanie ignored them. She’d given them enough, and now Alainen and the Hunters would feel the pressure. Ranson took her back as Mac walked by her side, keeping between her and the reporters. Fisher led the way.

Luckily, although the parcel had been completely unstable, the anthrax hadn’t leaked. Lanie intended to send an email to every member of staff and pay them a bonus this month. They’d had two major incidents already. The fire and this. Lanie could only imagine how furious Alainen was. She’d not done as he probably expected and some of the Hunters had to be doubting him right now.

“Fisher has brought the car around,” Mac murmured, and Lanie nodded. The entire affair was shocking to her. Hunters never really bothered with leaving witnesses and didn’t care if the odd innocent was slaughtered while they achieved their goal. But to threaten such a huge number of people was on a scale she’d never seen.

Alainen was clearly becoming unhinged. And that was highly concerning. Her phone rang, and Lanie looked down. Mac had blocked the number Alainen had called from on police advice, and her shoulders relaxed when she saw it was Callidora.

“Hey, sweet girl,” Lanie said, answering the phone.

“I’m at the castle. Are you okay?” Callidora demanded.

“Perfectly fine, I’ll pop along as soon as I get home,” Lanie assured her.

“Please do, I need to see you,” Callidora begged.

“Give me an hour, honey.”

“Okay, Mum, bye,” Callidora replied.

Lanie began to say something to Mac, but he shook his head. “Not here.”

Lanie begrudgingly nodded and slid into the back of the car. Ranson jumped in the driver’s side and Fisher took the front passenger seat. Mac, as was becoming his place, got in next to her.

“Let’s go,” Mac ordered as soon as he’d shut the door.

Ranson started the engine, and they pulled away.

She was still being filmed by the media, and that drove her insane. Lanie liked her privacy. Not just because of being a Legendary Shifter but because she was private. She did not see the need, like many, to post herself all over social media. Lanie couldn’t understand that thinking.

Putting yourself out there meant you were at high risk. Was it really worth it? Lanie didn’t think so, but clearly, some did. She thought they were all insane.

Still, those desperate for attention would get it one way or another. But with attention came negative connotations, and that was something Lanie already dealt with. No, let people wonder about her, and she’d fade into obscurity.

McIntyre

He was on edge. The attempt by Alainen today had been a fool’s game. What the hell had the man been thinking? Actually, Mac doubted Alainen was thinking. More like Alainen was attempting everything to get Lanie to break her cover. Instead, it was backfiring on him. Doubts had to be rising whether she was a Legendary Shifter or not. Anything to deflect Alainen from her would be helpful, but Mac had realised something Lanie hadn’t.

Alainen had a sole focus. And it had always been Lamia. Every shifter the Hunters captured, Alainen tortured them for information on Lamia. Alainen’s single-mindedness was what controlled his actions. He was determined to find and kill Lamia. And in the past, he had killed innocent women. Lanie wasn’t privy to that knowledge. Now Alainen was fixated on Lanie; he would not stop till she was dead, or he was.

Many Saviours had fallen to Alainen. As had several of the shifters. Alainen was one of the top Hunters. Alainen wouldn’t back off. And Mac truly believed the man was uncontrollable.

He was a rabid dog that needed putting down, but he wouldn’t die despite multiple attempts over the years.

Mac shook his head.

Whatever Lanie’s plans had been to disappear, they just got moved up.

Lanie/Lamia

Mac was uncharacteristically quiet. Oh, he said and did the right things, but there was something weighing on his mind. Several times, she had seen him with an unfocused look in his eyes, and she’d guessed he was mind-speaking someone at Refuge.

In the last few days, Mac had become more serious, more alert, and certainly more focused. Between him and Ranson, she felt on edge. Something was bothering them both, but they refused to say what.

It was made worse because Lanie had been feeling closer to Mac. His sudden withdrawal confused her and caused her self-doubts to rise. Had he been playing games? Was this a ploy to get her to join Refuge? No, that did not make sense. What could Lanie bring to Refuge that they didn’t already have?

Lanie paced through her large house and discovered Mac outside talking to Ranson. Both men looked heated, and Ranson was making sharp movements with his hands.

Mac shook his head violently, and Lanie opened the doors.

“…you have to tell her!” Ranson declared.

“Tell me what?” Lanie asked as at the same time Mac shouted no.

Mac faced her, looking guilty, and Lanie wondered what the hell was going on.

“Tell her, Mac, or I will,” Ranson ordered and, with a nod at Lanie, entered the house.

Lanie turned to Mac. “Talk to me.”

“Jesus. I did not want to do this. Here, come sit down,” Mac said, reaching out and taking her hand. Lanie almost pulled away, but she let Mac guide her to a chair.

Was he about to break up with her? Tell her this was a mistake? That now Alainen was after her, Mac didn’t want her?

“Lanie. I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll be blunt,” Mac announced.

Lanie tensed. Here it comes.

“I’m sure you planned a disappearance or death sometime in the future. But you need to bring the timeline forward. Make a will, leaving your companies to whoever, and fake your death. Alainen is beyond dangerous,” Mac informed her.

Lanie’s shoulders sagged. This was about her false death? A bark of laughter escaped her as relief swept over her.

“That’s funny?” Mac asked, confused.

“No. I was expecting you to break up with me or say you didn’t want to be with me because of him,” Lanie replied honestly.

A warm smile crossed Mac’s face. “We are starting out, and we’re at the beginning of something special, Lanie. Alainen couldn’t force me away if he tried. It’s not your fault the man is an ass. Nor that he is fixated on you. I’m more concerned with your safety and security.”

“Alainen is nothing if not persistent,” Lanie drawled.

“Lanie, what you don’t know is Alainen has attacked other human women, thinking they were you. We know for certain he doesn’t know you can shift, but he thinks you are using a spell or glamour to hide yourself. He has taken women, tortured, and killed them, believing them to be you. Now he has focused on you, he won’t look elsewhere until you’re dead.” “What?” Lanie exclaimed as shock hit her hard. “He’s murdered innocent women?”

“Lanie, Alainen is the world’s most prolific serial killer. The Hunters can’t control him. His murders are in the thousands,” Mac explained gently.

“That can’t be true!” Lanie gasped.

“It is. And he won’t stop coming for you. Even if you were proved a human, he wouldn’t care. Ranson and I need you to fake your death sooner rather than later,” Mac replied.

“And then I withdraw from the world for good?” Lanie asked.

Mac grasped her other hand. “For now, yes. Until our army marches and takes the Hunters out.” “Can we not kill him?” Lanie inquired.

“Sure, and that would solve a multitude of issues. But Lanie, we don’t know where he is,” Mac answered.

“Naturally. He hides like the coward he is,” Lanie bit out.

“Yup. If we could find him soon, we’ll end the threat to you. If not, you’ll have to die, honey.”

“Well, that sucks because I planned another ten to twenty years in this persona,” Lanie complained.

Mac laughed. “And all that work building your companies.”

“Oh, they’re easy to deal with. They go to my alleged daughter. Which would be me!” Lanie said. “But that wasn’t planned for twenty years. There was going to be a fake pregnancy and everything.”

“Sorry to ruin your fun.”

“Not you who should be sorry, Mac. But it’s time to hunt the Hunter. Alainen needs to pay for all those innocent deaths,” Lanie hissed as Anger swamped her body.

She looked over her gardens. It was time to face her past and the man who’d hurt and betrayed her so cruelly. Alainen had to die.