Chapter 7 Rafael
Rafael
Every nerve in Rafael's body told him to take his mate far away from the cops held in the interrogation room.
Yet did he voice his concern? No. He had to have faith in his family to keep them all safe.
Yvonne and her coven were powerful witches and warlocks. Their spells kept their family safe and had for years.
Rafael's nature to hide his mate came out strong, the need to protect him from unseen dangers.
Although if what Yvonne hinted at was true, then Isaac had some tricks up his sleeves. Did that mean Isaac was fully aware of them? Or had he lied? Was it a true lie if the man never expected to use his senses?
Being a true believer, regardless of his own shifting abilities, Rafael had seen and had witnessed Madam Love in action. He knew of her uncanny ability and its accuracy.
Did that mean Isaac possessed her powers? Or were his powers similar?
It seemed they needed to have a lot more in-depth conversations. Even if it was shifter nature to mate first and talk later, there were many holes in their connection.
“Are you going to Constantine's show tonight?” Damien asked as Yvonne spoke with James and Jimmy, the tech guru's of their family.
Isaac's attention scanned the room, even if he sidled closer to Rafael.
“Constantine?” Isaac asked, his brows crunching in confusion about the name given. “I have a ticket for the Big Top's Nightmare Show tonight. It never gave a name, though.”
Damien gave Isaac a sly smile, and Rafael wanted to growl at him. Family or not, Damien could be a cheeky bastard at the best of times.
Isaac chuckled and patted Rafael's chest, obviously picking up on Rafael's mood.
“You'll enjoy it. It's a fan favorite. Then again,” Damien raised his brows and smirked, “the animal event steals the show.”
Shaking his head, Rafael rolled his eyes, wrapped an arm across Isaac's shoulders, and pulled him from the alpha. “Show off.”
“I'm missing something, I can tell,” Isaac offered but didn't turn back to Damien. Thank goodness.
“He's our local alpha.” Rafael did not want to provide more information than necessary.
“Wait,” Isaac leaned back, hands on Rafael's chest. His eyes searched for something Rafael wasn't sure of. “Alpha? Like a wolf shifter alpha? Like, they really exist? Turn into animals?”
Rafael sneered, his lips curling in disgust as he slid his hands around Isaac's back. He did not like the attention his mate gave another man, nor the excitement accompanying it.
“What did you two talk about since meeting?” Damien had to insert himself, and Rafael felt extremely vulnerable. On edge.
“Damien,” Yvonne snapped. “I hope you handle anyone teasing your mate once you meet them just as well.”
Damien's only saving grace was the fact that Isaac never took his gaze off Rafael's. The small smirk trying to form told him that Isaac found the exchange humorous.
Damien nodded, tilting his head in deference. “My apologies. I just enjoy seeing Rafael exuberant.”
“So what do you need us to do?” Rafael accepted Damien's apology and tucked Isaac back into his protective embrace.
“Cop dummy one is stating you were chasing Isaac yesterday and have abducted him,” James provided from his chair by the wall of computers.
“That's why I called for you,” Yvonne explained.
“Even if Rafael was,” Isaac interjected, “it's not been long enough for them to have a missing persons report, for one thing.
And another, there's no one to file a missing person's report for me.” That gave Rafael pause; he understood that all too well: having no one.
Yet Isaac didn't have no one now. He had Rafael. And his entire family.
“What do you want me to do? Show myself? Seems like a few steps are missing from the process.”
Rafael felt the moment the mood in the room stilled, and everyone turned to study Isaac. What was he missing? There was something more happening, and they had yet to inform him. Rafael felt his heart rate increase as his mind spun with escape routes to keep his mate safe.
“This isn’t the first missing person’s report from the park.”
Rafael knew he should have stayed ensconced in their apartment and away from the park.
“So what do you want with Isaac?” He was the only one willing and brave enough to voice what they were all thinking. They wanted Isaac. Not because he resembled the missing person’s report. Nor for the fact he passed by the cops prior to Rafael running into the same men.
No, they were specifically interested in Isaac and his unique abilities. But why? Madam Love only saw the future. She could only see fragments of the future. She always said her visions were pathways but never set in stone. More premonition than fact.
Rafael didn't miss the tightening of Yvonne's shoulders. “Nothing really. Not yet.” Yvonne held out a hand to Jimmy, who in return handed her a large tablet. “Just go out and enjoy the park for now,” indicating the screen. “I'll show them you're alive and well.”
“Can we go ride the carousel again?” Isaac begged Rafael with large wide eyes and an even bigger smile. For all of Isaac's senses, he missed, or rather ignored, all of Yvonne's red flags, and Rafael didn't know if he should call his mate on it or not.
“Oh shit,” Jimmy breathed and turned in his seat, pegging Isaac with a shocked expression. “You're Isaac Douglas. Famous carousel photographer, aren't you?”
All eyes shifted to Isaac, and Rafael had the innate feeling of hiding his mate once again.
Yvonne's eyes narrowing on his mate had Rafael shifting Isaac in his arms. “You came for the carousel?”
“Yes?” Rafael hated how uncertain Isaac sounded. “It's the last one in the public eye that I've photographed, and I just had to add it to my collection. Not that I've photographed it yet,” he added quickly, head and hands shaking. “I usually ride the carousel first and then ask permission.”
“How did you hear about us? The carousel isn't advertised for a very good reason.”
Fuck. Shit. Yvonne was right. Yet Rafael never doubted Isaac once as he curled him closer to his chest, banding both arms securely around his mate.
“I … I, uh, got an email about it? Like a flyer?”
Yvonne stepped forward, the magic in the air thickening in her stead.
“He's Laverne's grandson,” Rafael rushed out before Yvonne could do whatever it was she did. Powerful witch, yes, but that didn't mean Rafael knew all the ins and outs. Nor would he willingly let her work her magic on his mate.
Her tight, narrowed eyes widened at the edges, just barely if watching closely enough.
Then the woman smirked, her features softening.
“It's going to be fun having you here, Isaac,” was all she said before turning back to the monitors.
“Go, have fun. We'll be in touch. If Laverne sent you here, you're where you're meant to be.”
Isaac practically sank into Rafael's arms, the relief palpable. Kissing the side of Isaac's head, he directed him to the door. They needed food and fun.