“I don’t know when it started,” Seamus said. “I had it all my life, maybe, and it finally was noticeable when terrible things happened.”

“But terrible things have happened to us before,” Kendrick said. “We’ve had death, outright slaughter, had to flee for our lives. Why didn’t you know about it then?”

“I have no idea,” Seamus said. “All I want to know is, what the hell is a Shifter empath, and how did I get this way? Dealing with it, Kendrick, has been a bitch.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Addie had no idea what a Shifter empath was, and her curiosity stirred. She leaned closer, listening without shame.

“Dylan didn’t tell you about what happened to me?” Seamus asked.

“Dylan didn’t tell me a lot of things,” Kendrick said. “Not that I’ve actually had many conversations with him. He gave orders; I gave him information. I don’t really blame him. It’s tough for leaders to know who to trust.”

“Yeah, I get that.” Seamus’s growls softened. “Thank you for trusting me. Now, what are we going to do?”

“Can you find Jaycee? Or Dimitri?”

“I don’t know.” Seamus sounded troubled. “Haven’t heard from either of them since we went to ground. Of course, I’ve been inside a Shiftertown and both of them must think I went over to the dark side. But I’ll try to find them. Francesca can help.”

“Only if Francesca can get away from the Shifters. I don’t want her or Katie to be hurt by this.”

Amusement entered Seamus’s tone. “You’re not going to believe this, but the two that broke our compound—Rebecca and Walker Danielson—are pretty good people. They take care of foster cubs and help a lot of Shifters. We’ve become good friends.”

“I might choke on the sentimentality,” Kendrick rumbled. “But I’m going to trust you to know which Shifters you can trust. Try to get hold of this Ben guy too. Seems like he’s resourceful.” Kendrick paused. “Addie saw Tiger and Spike yesterday when she went into San Antonio. She said they saw her but they have no reason to connect her to me. Do they?”

Seamus whistled. “If Tiger saw her . . . He’s something different, is Tiger. That might be a problem.”

“Do you trust him?”

“With my life. But . . .” Seamus trailed off. “Then again, it depends. Tiger obeys only Tiger. Even Dylan can’t control him. No one can, except his mate, who is half his size—it’s adorable. Tiger doesn’t wear a real Collar either. I mean, who would be fool enough to put one on him?”

“Hmm.” Kendrick’s concern touched Addie through the door. “Well, I’ll worry about him when I need to. Sleep on it.” He gave a laugh. “That is, if you aren’t busy calling your mate again to coo at her.”

“I don’t coo.” Seamus didn’t sound the least bit embarrassed. “And Bree’s a wonderful woman. You’ll see.”

Kendrick made another growling noise, then there was a rustle, both men going silent. Addie pictured them hugging again—they liked to do that.

Before she knew it, the doorknob was turning. Addie fled down the hall, trying to move swiftly and silently, the water in her glass sloshing over.

She made it to the bedroom but a second later, Kendrick was there, pushing her inside, rescuing the water before she dropped it.

He closed the door and leaned against it. “Never think a Shifter can’t hear the softest footfall, Addison.”

In the dim light cast by the lamp on the nightstand, Kendrick’s face faded into shadows, but his green eyes were sharp.