Chapter Thirty-Three
The helicopter ride was made in the dark of a moonless night. Benny and Mercy made sure to rub the sappy oil and leaves all over Karma in the back of the copter as Logan and Garrett rode up front. Sam sat just behind them, sleeping with his head against the wall. Just as they started to land, Benny ripped off his gloves. “Does it hurt yet?”
Karma shook her head. “No. When am I supposed to start showing a rash?”
“Soon,” Mercy said, wincing. “That pure oil is going to take effect way too fast for your peace of mind. Maybe we should’ve waited a few hours?”
The helicopter set down just outside Grizzly territory.
Benny waited until the blades had stopped and then opened the door. “Stay inside until I make sure Bear isn’t going to just try to kill us.” He jumped into the rainy night, instantly scenting grizzly. He turned to see Bear and two lieutenants standing near a log wood hangar. Sam leaped out behind him, his boots smashing the wet weeds.
Mercy sat at the edge of the doorway with a gun resting lightly on her lap.
Benny started forward, noting the lieutenants stiffening in response. He had known Bear for decades, and the guy looked better than ever, even though his square jaw was set hard and his honey-brown eyes sizzled with irritation. His shaggy brown hair touched his broad shoulders, and his clothing looked like it had seen better days. He waited until Benny reached him, flanked by Logan and Garrett. “The Seven isn’t welcome in my territory.”
Benny caught Sam moving out of the corner of his eye. The middle brother had angled to the south, just in case he needed to cover them. That was a good brother. “I know, and I don’t want to be in your territory. I assume the Kurjans and Cysts aren’t welcome, either. Have you found them?”
“Not yet,” Bear admitted. “Nessa is back at the control center looking, and believe me, my witch is not happy the Seven is here.” His gaze softened slightly when he looked at Garrett and then Logan. “Although she misses you two and can’t wait to make s’mores again. You’re going to have to visit with her, or I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Garrett grinned. “Your mate is a badass and one of my favorite females, and no way am I messing with her temper. S’mores it is.”
Benny settled his stance. “I don’t want to be here, Bear. You know it and I know it, but I have no choice.”
Bear’s gaze narrowed as he looked past Benny. “Who are the pretty ladies?”
Benny growled as the sweet scent of Karma grew nearer. Hadn’t he told her to stay in the helicopter?
Logan grasped Mercy and pulled her in front of him, wrapping his arms around her waist. “This is Mercy. My mate.”
Bear grinned and held out a hand the size of a Frisbee. “The fairy? Cool. I’ve never met a fairy.”
“Fae,” Mercy corrected, quickly shaking his hand. “Can I watch you change into a grizzly later? I’ve never seen a bear shift.”
Bear’s smile widened. “Definitely.”
It was nice that crazy often found crazy. Benny drew Karma forward. “This is Karma. She wants to go into the Kurjan encampment in your territory to rescue enhanced females and her young daughters. That’s why we’re here.”
Bear cocked his head and held out a hand. “This is your mate?” Puzzlement glittered in his eyes as they briefly shook hands.
“Not yet,” Benny said, holding up his mating mark. “It’s a long story.”
Now shock showed in Bear’s expression. “You’re letting your mate go with the Kurjans?”
Karma stepped closer to the dangerous bear. “Nobody is ‘letting’ me do anything. The Kurjans have my daughters, and I have to rescue them. Now, are you going to help us or not?”
Admiration tilted Bear’s full lips. “Well, then. I guess we help you.” He leaned closer. “What’s happening to your neck?”
She winced and rubbed her neck.
Benny angled his head down and made out the starting of blisters. “Looks like the oil worked.”
Karma squirmed. “Yes. My whole body is starting to itch.”
“That looks like poison oak?” Bear asked.
“Poison ivy,” Mercy said proudly. “I extracted the oils to make sure it got in there deep and stayed. Those blisters are popping out all over. We did avoid her face so there wouldn’t be any eye damage.”
Bear stepped closer to her. “Are you in danger? I can free you right now.” The words were delivered in a grizzly growl.
Karma shook her head. “It’s all part of the plan. The less attractive I am to the Kurjans, the safer I’ll be. The problem will be finding the girls and getting out.” She blew out air and shivered as the poison took effect. “I have to figure out a way to find the enhanced females, as well.”
“You’re a brave one, Karma,” Bear said solemnly. “All right. We’ll definitely help you.”
Benny kept his expression calm. He had been kind of hoping Bear would kick them out of Washington State. It looked like Karma was actually going to have to go through with this mission.
She slipped her hand into his again. “It’ll be all right, Benjamin. Trust me.”
* * * *
Every inch of her skin itched uncontrollably as the blisters took over. Karma parked the car at a small convenience store about sixty miles south of Seattle. She took the burner phone out of the console and looked around. She was in human territory. Where were the billionaire cowboys and hard-cut but handsome motorcycle club members? Perhaps those romance novels hadn’t gotten all of it right.
She dialed quickly.
“Terre,” he answered, his voice businesslike.
She searched for her backbone, feeling uncomfortable even though Benny was watching her through a scope. The soldiers had arrived a half hour before she did, just to get prepared. “I’m at the Miller Convenience Store for Campers just off I-90,” she said, not having to fake the nervousness in her voice. She was still hoping to see some handsome pirates with long hair since she was close to the ocean. Nope. No pirates.
“Good.” Papers rustled. “Drive twenty miles up Cross Creek Road, turn left at, ah, green mile marker seventeen, and drive another ten miles. Detour from this route in any way, and I’ll kill those twin girls.”
Her stomach clenched so hard, she almost cried out from the intense pain. That quickly, she forgot about human romance novels. “I want to see my girls.”
“Excuse me?” Terre’s voice cracked.
She shut her eyes and swallowed down bile. “Please, let me see them, Terre.” She curled her other hand into a fist until her fingernails bit into her palm and centered her.