Free Unnaturals by Dean J. Anderson Page A

would have been selfish.'
    `Mother, I don't really understand this. Why tell me this now?'
    `Ah, yes. You see, I didn't just leave him with nothing, daughter. Once I had turned, I took my revenge on the followers of Agnes. I don't know why I thought tons of precious stones and gold would make the woodsman happy.'
    `Wait. You gave him what? How?'
    `I had raided every temple and house that had followed Agnes. So when I returned to see the woodsman I brought all I had plundered. Our, his, home was built against a hill; a cave his storage area.'
    `Okay. Right.' Nikki paced again, hand on her forehead. `I still don't see what this has to do with today?'
    `His name was Hael Dubhghlas.'
    Nikki struggled for a moment. The name…
    `No way. You mean?'
    `Yes, daughter. Say it.'
    `Hael Douglas. He was Mason Douglas's—'
    `Even so.'

CHAPTER 8
    Mason stood on the villa patio. He glanced inside at Ruth, half-asleep, and pulled some shorts on. `Just going for a run.'
    `Uh-huh,' she hummed, rolling over. `Be back in time to see Sally.'
    `Will do.' He stepped off the patio and jogged off towards the eastern side of the island. He needed to run. Once in the trees he picked up the pace, moving quickly over the hill to the eastern beach. His mind drifted. Sex with Ruth had been intense but he had still held back, afraid to hurt her.
    Renee was standing on the beach.
    `Shit.' Mason dived behind a tree. Unsure of what he was feeling, he glanced around the trunk trying to calm his heart. It resisted. Blood warmed his chest as he tensed, trying to take control of his reactions. `Damn it.' He checked the beach again. Renee hadn't moved. She stood facing the ocean, her clothes wet.
    Someone moved among the trees. He spotted them. A couple hand in hand, enjoying the view. He flicked his attention back to the beach. Renee had gone; her trail just visible, heading north. Mason followed, keeping his distance but remaining close enough to see her.
    Renee moved fast, then stopped, scanning the ocean. She moved, he moved. Mason knew she was patrolling the island, looking for unwelcome visitors. But there was more to it than that.
    A tree shattered and crashed down. He fell back, watching as she tore it to shreds. Timber filled the air like confetti. She moved on and Mason followed, beginning to see a pattern. She was patrolling and venting at the same time.
    He allowed himself a small smile.
    She moved again, a red blur through the trees. He followed until they had gone full circle. He made sure he was downwind and watched her standing on the hill, looking down at the villa. Cold pinged in him and his skin thickened. Was she a threat?
    Renee's scent changed, the anger gone. She walked away, down towards the far side of the resort.
    He waited. Time passed and he went to the spot where she had stood.
    Her scent lingered. Fresh sap tainted it. A tree bore the marks of her nails, then another. And more, leading back towards the resort.
    Mason rubbed his nose hard. The sound of surf reached him on the breeze and he agreed with himself. Time for a swim.
    Â 
    Ruth dried herself off, looking at the dress on the bed. The only one she had packed. She returned her towel to the bathroom.
    `He's going to recognise it, girl. Why did you pack it?' Ruth said to her reflection, then went back out to the dress. `It's either you or the sundress.' The sundress hung in the wardrobe, its bright colours a stark contrast to the sleek black dress on the bed. `Oh, you're a bad, bad girl.'
    She slipped the dress on, turning so she could check in the mirror that the back didn't sit too low.
    `Very bad girl,' she muttered, drawing the hem down snug against her thighs, adjusting the tight fabric over her buttocks.
    `And, of course, you didn't pack any Hollywood tape.' She looked down at the plunging neckline, making sure the thin fabric covered her nipples. `Like that's going to last.'
    Outside she heard Mason arriving. `I'm back.' The outside shower came on.
    Ruth shook her