Murder Game (GhostWalkers, #7)(66)

She took another deep breath, blew on her palms, and leaned forward to surround Ian’s empty mug. His energy was fainter than Tucker’s, and for a moment her heart jumped, afraid she might have to actually grasp the mug. That would plunge her in far deeper than she wanted to go. She inched her palms closer, until she was a hairs-breadth away. Then she was in the wave of energy, and impressions raced into her mind.

Like Tucker, Ian was worried about his unit, particularly Kadan. The man rarely shared personal information, and Ian was certain a lot more was going on than Kadan was telling them. Ian didn’t like the fact that he’d never heard of Tansy and that he had the feeling she was one of the “lost” girls; that was bad news because it would mean Whitney would be hunting her.

That sent a shiver down her spine. She forced herself deeper into the impression, wanting to get it over with. He wasn’t a killer, but he’d certainly killed. There was Kadan again, this time dressed in jungle combat gear. The team was sitting, buried to their noses in mud, down in a swamp with alligators and snakes, barely breathing, sharing telepathic communication that Kadan and Ryland seemed to maintain together for the rest of the men. Saw grass waved above their heads, but even so, they each used a straw to breathe through the mud and few inches of water above their heads.

Ian’s disgust was strong. He glared at Gator, who kept poking him. You say alligator one more time, I’m gonna feed your body, piece by piece, to one. There was no real malice in the words; she could even detect affection.

She had the impression of others moving around them, nearly stepping on them. No one moved, everyone stayed quiet, even Ian, when Gator made a swimming motion through the mud with one hand like an alligator, right toward Ian’s belly.

That’s it, Rye, I’m doing it. I’m gonna cut his throat and leave him here.

Grim amusement swept the circle. Yeah and you can answer to Flame. She’ll eat you alive, Ian, Ryland replied.

Tansy made a note to meet Gator’s wife. The woman seemed able to strike fear in the men when a swamp full of enemies and alligators only made them laugh.

Why is it every time we rescue someone, something goes wrong? Ian demanded. From now on, take the missions where we get to kill everyone. We need to be taking down targets, not sitting here in the mud with Gator’s little play pals.

Tansy heard the words, but felt his emotions. He preferred the rescue missions even though nearly every time something did go wrong, and for that reason, he desperately wanted to be with his team, providing cover, watching their backs just as Tucker did. She realized that Tucker had been thinking about a rescue that hadn’t quite gone by the book as well. She took a deep breath and moved her hands away from the cup.

At once she felt the dizziness and headache that accompanied using her gift. She’d been careful not to go too deep, but still she was shaken. She touched her face and found a trickle of blood by her mouth and another along her nose. Just as she was pushing to her feet, Ian rushed in.

“They’ve got your parents and are running clear. They should be here anytime.” He stopped in the middle of the floor, took in the two tea mugs in front of her, the blood on her face, and the fact that she was no longer wearing the gloves she’d been wearing since the moment he’d met her. “What the hell are you doing?”

She felt her color rise. It was embarrassing to be caught, like a Peeping Tom staring in a window at someone’s private life. She wiped at the blood, succeeding in smearing it as she walked without haste to her gloves. “I’m sorry. I felt I had no choice.”

Tucker pushed in behind Ian, frowning when he saw the blood. He moved quickly to the sink and soaked a small towel. “Come here. Let me see what I can do.”

The headache was pushing forward and she didn’t want it, not with her parents and Kadan on the way. She shouldn’t be feeling guilty that she’d used her gift without Kadan present, but she had the feeling he’d be upset, and for some strange reason, that disturbed her. Her life was already twined with his in such a short time she could barely believe it.

Tucker tipped up her chin and dabbed at the blood, while Ian continued to stand with his hands on his hips, glaring at her.

“You may as well confess,” Tucker said. “Ian might stare holes through you. He’s scaring the hell out of me.”

“You’re guarding my parents,” she explained. “I had to know what kind of men you are. I tried not to pry too deep.”

Something dangerous flickered in Tucker’s eyes, but his hands remained gentle on her face as he removed the blood. “Did you find what you needed?”

She nodded, flashing a tentative grin. “Ian doesn’t like alligators.” She looked up at the tall Irishman. “I’m really sorry to have intruded. I was careful.”

Ian made an effort to keep from looking affronted. “I might have done the same.”

Tucker sent him a look, clearly reminding him they were there not only to keep her safe but to prevent her from leaving if she had a mind to, so they were just as guilty. “Do you get headaches along with the bleeding?”

She nodded. “I have some medicine in my bag.”

“I’ll get it,” Ian said and stalked out.

“I don’t blame him for being upset,” Tansy said. “No one wants to have their private thoughts read.”

“You can really do that?” Tucker asked.