Read Online In the Crossfire (Bloodhaven) by Lynn Graeme - Free Book Online
Authors: Lynn Graeme
Ads: Link
for Naley in the event of last-minute sleepovers, and Naley was familiar with where everything was. Onions and mushrooms were sautéing on the stove.
Naley cracked eggs one by one into a bowl. “Mornin’, Aunt Iz. You’re outta eggs.”
Isobel looked pointedly at the half-dozen still in the carton next to the bowl. “No, I’m not.”
“You will be.”
The rest of the eggs steadily disappeared into the bowl. Naley chucked in a handful of shredded cheese, gave a haphazard whisk with a fork, then poured the contents into the pan.
Her movements were quick and economical. Naley’s culinary creations were occasionally adventurous, not always refined, but there was no denying she knew her way around a kitchen.
However, looking at her niece now, all Isobel could see was how long and how often Naley had had to fend for herself. She’d seen to her own meals, her own care, during her mother’s frequent absences. Isobel had tried to step in as often as she could whenever Kaya’s flighty nature took over, but clearly, not often enough.
Isobel felt guilt darken her thoughts once more, and quickly wiped her face clean of expression before Naley could turn her way. She tucked her empty mug inside the dishwasher and took a seat at the kitchen island.
“I don’t think consuming that much ova is healthy,” she mused.
“Coach said we need lots of protein if we want to beat the East High Cougars next week.”
“I don’t think he meant eating eight eggs all at once.” Even with a growing juvenile shifter’s metabolism, that would be overkill. “Maybe I should have a word with your coach.”
Naley sighed. “Please don’t, Aunt Iz. He’s afraid of you as it is.”
“What are you talking about?”
Naley seasoned with salt and pepper before giving a test poke with a spatula. “When I stayed with you last spring. You picked me up after practice.”
Isobel tried and failed to recall any point in time in which she might’ve threatened Coach Raleigh. He’d seemed a competent enough fellow. Large, bulky, eye on the prize. She could respect that. Besides, she generally reserved the tough talk for suspects. Off-duty, she kept her presence laid-back and low-key, especially when it came to dealing with anyone in Naley’s social circle. It was hard enough being a teenager without having to deal with the tribulations involved in having a Council agent aunt.
Isobel knew only too well what it was like growing up under constantly vigilant eyes. Her father had prized discipline above all else, first in his profession as a military officer, then later in his role as a foreign diplomat. He’d demanded the same sort of discipline from his family.
Surrounded by all manners of entourage and security personnel, Isobel and Kaya hadn’t escaped scrutiny, no matter where the family had been stationed. Word never failed to reach Alexandre and Marin Saba if their daughters ever engaged in questionable behavior.
Isobel had adapted pretty well. She’d seen the pride in which her father carried himself, and strove to emulate him. Kaya, mocking her sister for being a daddy’s girl, had been impatient to leave the nest. Once Kaya had escaped the clutches of home, she’d let loose her free spirit and never looked back.
One of the results of her worldly adventures had been Naley. Kaya, far too young and rounded with child, knew who the father was, but apparently both of them had agreed he shouldn’t stick around. For one thing, he wasn’t fatherhood material. For another, neither of them could stand each other.
“It’s better if we keep our distance,” Kaya had confided to Isobel.
Later, after Isobel had joined the Council, she’d used Naley’s DNA to look up the father’s identity. She kept that information in case Naley ever asked for Isobel’s help in finding her birth father. Fourteen years on, Naley showed no interest in him either.
Still, whatever life choices Kaya made or continued to make, Isobel could never regret
Naley cracked eggs one by one into a bowl. “Mornin’, Aunt Iz. You’re outta eggs.”
Isobel looked pointedly at the half-dozen still in the carton next to the bowl. “No, I’m not.”
“You will be.”
The rest of the eggs steadily disappeared into the bowl. Naley chucked in a handful of shredded cheese, gave a haphazard whisk with a fork, then poured the contents into the pan.
Her movements were quick and economical. Naley’s culinary creations were occasionally adventurous, not always refined, but there was no denying she knew her way around a kitchen.
However, looking at her niece now, all Isobel could see was how long and how often Naley had had to fend for herself. She’d seen to her own meals, her own care, during her mother’s frequent absences. Isobel had tried to step in as often as she could whenever Kaya’s flighty nature took over, but clearly, not often enough.
Isobel felt guilt darken her thoughts once more, and quickly wiped her face clean of expression before Naley could turn her way. She tucked her empty mug inside the dishwasher and took a seat at the kitchen island.
“I don’t think consuming that much ova is healthy,” she mused.
“Coach said we need lots of protein if we want to beat the East High Cougars next week.”
“I don’t think he meant eating eight eggs all at once.” Even with a growing juvenile shifter’s metabolism, that would be overkill. “Maybe I should have a word with your coach.”
Naley sighed. “Please don’t, Aunt Iz. He’s afraid of you as it is.”
“What are you talking about?”
Naley seasoned with salt and pepper before giving a test poke with a spatula. “When I stayed with you last spring. You picked me up after practice.”
Isobel tried and failed to recall any point in time in which she might’ve threatened Coach Raleigh. He’d seemed a competent enough fellow. Large, bulky, eye on the prize. She could respect that. Besides, she generally reserved the tough talk for suspects. Off-duty, she kept her presence laid-back and low-key, especially when it came to dealing with anyone in Naley’s social circle. It was hard enough being a teenager without having to deal with the tribulations involved in having a Council agent aunt.
Isobel knew only too well what it was like growing up under constantly vigilant eyes. Her father had prized discipline above all else, first in his profession as a military officer, then later in his role as a foreign diplomat. He’d demanded the same sort of discipline from his family.
Surrounded by all manners of entourage and security personnel, Isobel and Kaya hadn’t escaped scrutiny, no matter where the family had been stationed. Word never failed to reach Alexandre and Marin Saba if their daughters ever engaged in questionable behavior.
Isobel had adapted pretty well. She’d seen the pride in which her father carried himself, and strove to emulate him. Kaya, mocking her sister for being a daddy’s girl, had been impatient to leave the nest. Once Kaya had escaped the clutches of home, she’d let loose her free spirit and never looked back.
One of the results of her worldly adventures had been Naley. Kaya, far too young and rounded with child, knew who the father was, but apparently both of them had agreed he shouldn’t stick around. For one thing, he wasn’t fatherhood material. For another, neither of them could stand each other.
“It’s better if we keep our distance,” Kaya had confided to Isobel.
Later, after Isobel had joined the Council, she’d used Naley’s DNA to look up the father’s identity. She kept that information in case Naley ever asked for Isobel’s help in finding her birth father. Fourteen years on, Naley showed no interest in him either.
Still, whatever life choices Kaya made or continued to make, Isobel could never regret
Similar Books
