Sea Haven 01 - Water Bound

assist Judith. He stayed quiet, out of the way, standing over near the railing where she’d been sitting. He was looking out toward the sea or maybe up to the road, but he wasn’t looking at Judith.
    Judith managed to get water down, and she slumped in her chair, gasping for breath. Lexi put calming hands on her and Judith drew in more air. “I have an allergy to something, I think.”
    “Has this happened before?”
    The suspicion in Lev’s voice startled Rikki. He was still looking out toward the road. A chill went down her spine. What did he sense out there?
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    She couldn’t stop herself. She stepped in front of her sisters, all huddled around Judith, and she faced the road as well, trying to make herself larger, even going so far as to spread her arms out.
    “What is it?” Lissa whispered, coming up behind her.
    “I don’t know. Something. Can you feel anything?” Rikki murmured back in a low tone.
    Lissa was a warrior woman. If something was wrong, she might be able to feel it.
    “Go in the house,” Lev snapped. “Now. All of you.”
    Horror was a metallic taste in her mouth. All of them together in her house? She shook her head. Lev didn’t argue, he simply caught her arm and thrust her inside. “You fucking stay there, you hear me? The rest of you get inside and stay away from the windows. You keep Rikki inside and out of sight.”
    She felt the push in her mind, knew he was using some sort of strong compulsion along with his command. He didn’t need it. His demeanor and voice alone would have stopped her sisters from going outside against his wishes. He dragged her through the kitchen into the living room.
    Rikki couldn’t breathe. The temperature in the house was extraordinarily hot. She broke out in a sweat, she was dizzy and weak. Her panic was full-blown and she couldn’t talk, couldn’t get the words out. Lev strode past her into the bedroom and began strapping on weapons. She could see him from where she was, but her sisters were oblivious, all peering out the windows. Airiana started to protest, but Lissa stopped her.
    “He’s right,” she agreed. “I feel something out there.”
    “Call Jonas,” Blythe said, all practical.
    “Stay the hell away from the windows,” Lev snapped, as he stood in the doorway of the bedroom. “Keep Rikki in here.” He crossed to her side and bent down, his face close to hers, his hands on her upper arms as he pulled her against him. “I know you’re worried about fire, lyubimaya, but no one is going to get past me to get to you. Just breathe this away and I’ll be back soon.” He brushed a gentle kiss across her upturned mouth and abruptly strode away, leaving her in shock.
    Blythe, Judith, Airiana and Lexi stared at her with open mouths, obviously not believing what they’d just witnessed.
    Lissa followed Lev through the bedroom to the back window. “I can help.”
    “He’ll be long gone. He’s watching the house. He’s up on the high ridge to the north. I caught the flash of his binoculars. Could be nothing, but then again, I don’t want a pervert lurking around either.”
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    “Rikki can’t have us all in the house,” Lissa advised, hanging on to the windowsill. It was impossible to see the northern tree line from where they were—which meant whoever was watching couldn’t see Lev as he went out.
    “I know. You can get her through it. Better a panic attack than a bullet”
    Lissa went to catch his arm, but as fast as she was, he was out of reach, his eyes were flat and cold. “Just watch over her until I get back.”
    Rikki tried to make her feet move, to follow him. She didn’t want him going out alone, not with a concussion. He was sick and dizzy, but he was functioning. That made her feel worse, guilty even. He managed. There was nothing wrong with her at all, but she was so upset over her sisters gathered under her roof that she couldn’t move.
    Lissa put a hand on the nape of her neck and pushed her head down.
    “Breathe, honey. We’re by the door. If the house catches fire, we’ll all get out safely. No big deal.”
    “Lissa’s right,” Blythe’s tone was brisk. “Judith, have you had this happen before?”
    “No. Never. But I do have allergies,” Judith answered. She took another swallow of water. “That man is very, very dangerous.”
    “He’s out there trying to protect us,” Lissa reminded.
    Airiana shook her head and stepped close to Rikki as if to protect her.
    “Judith is right. We both