Leopard 03 - Burning Wild

Emma to tell her everything.
    “Self-defense lessons? A tutor? Does he think he gets to keep you?”
    Susan hugged herself. “He made me feel like part of the family.” She blinked rapidly to keep back tears. “I haven’t felt like that since my mother died. Dad is always gone and I am so lonely. I don’t go to a regular school and I don’t really have anyone at home. Dad hires different people, but it isn’t the same.”
    Emma hugged her. “Well, you know Jake. If he claims you, he watches over you. You won’t be so grateful when you want to start dating.”
    “Maybe I could date some of your bodyguards. I really like them.”

    “Maybe you could just forget about that,” Emma said. “I promised the kids they could play on the swings. You want to go with us?” She activated the small radio transmitter she had set into her watch so that she could alert Drake that she was leaving the house with the children.
    “If you really don’t mind, I want to look around the library. It’s enormous,” Susan said.
    Emma didn’t blame her. Pushing two demanding children on the swings wasn’t a teenager’s idea of a dream afternoon. She called Kyle and Andraya to her and they hurried out to follow the path to the side of the house where the elaborate play yard Jake had built for them was located.
    The air was cool, the wind blowing, but the play yard was protected and Emma had them bundled in their sweaters. Kyle ran to the slide and Andraya reached up her arms to be put into the baby swing.
    Emma carefully snapped the safety belt around her and pushed her while she squealed with delight.
    Kyle called out to her over and over, making certain he was getting his share of attention.
    Emma was surprised their constant bodyguard didn’t show up immediately. They were usually very prompt, but both children were being good so she didn’t radio a second time, not wanting anyone to get into trouble for not moving fast enough.
    “Mommy, look!” Kyle pointed to the corner of the house where the gardener had planted tall, grassy plants. She especially liked the varieties there and Kyle and Andraya loved to play in the mini-jungle.
    “What, baby?” she asked, not seeing anything but the waves of grass as the wind played through the plants.
    Kyle gave her a stern look. “I not a baby. I’m Kyle,” he announced firmly.
    Emma looked contrite. “Yes, of course you’re Kyle.” His identity meant a lot to him.
    He went down the slide again, watching the grass intently. Emma did her best to see what interested him, but it was impossible to tell whether it was the play of the wind, the tall variegated grasses of various colors or some shiny rock on the ground.
    Andraya kicked her feet and yelled again. “More. More.”
    Emma pushed her higher. Andraya wiggled around in her seat, laughing out loud. Emma looked back over at Kyle to find he had slipped off the slide and was just entering the tall field of grasses.
    “Wait, Kyle,” she called and pushed the radio button again. She hurried after him.
    Of course he didn’t wait, disappearing into the thick, tall plants. Emma glanced back at Andraya and ran after Kyle, calling his name as she hurried after him. She caught a glimpse of his shirt as he wove his way through the grass. Kyle crouched low, following something.
    “Kyle, I mean it. Stop. What are you following?”
    The wind shifted slightly and for a moment she thought she smelled cat. Her heart stuttered. Her breath caught in her lungs. Terror shifted through her. The scent filling her nostrils was the same as that of the man who had assaulted her the night before—Rory. She would never forget his smell.
    “Kyle!” She began to run. The wind picked up, blowing directly in her face. The scent of skunk hit her hard, obliterating the stench of her assailant. “Don’t touch anything. Come back here now.”
    As she ran she stabbed at the radio again. Where the hell was everyone? “Evan! Drake!” There was a note of hysteria in her voice. She caught another glimpse of Kyle and she put on a burst of speed. He didn’t even look up at the sound of her voice. Just ahead of him, sliding into the jungle of grasses, was a small furry animal. As her fingers skimmed the back of his shirt, Andraya screamed, a long, high-pitched shriek that sent goose bumps rising on her flesh.
    She snagged Kyle’s shirt and jerked him to an abrupt halt, ignoring his wails of protest. Scooping him up into her arms, Emma turned back on