Shadow of My Heart (Shadow-Walker Tribe Series) by Caryn Moya Block Page A

Raven encouraged her.
    Cara looked up at Raven, then over at Derek. How could she resist them with their dark good looks and charming smiles? Besides, she knew Derek would watch her from Shadow if she refused. Shaking her head, she gave in gracefully. “Okay, you win. Derek can stay.”
    Raven kissed her hard, then walked into the shadows in the corner of her living room and disappeared.
    “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to that. The disappearing act makes me think I’m going out of my mind,” Cara admitted, grabbing a tissue off the table and wiping her nose.
    “You should go back to bed. Raven will get mad at me if you have a relapse.”
    “That’s silly. Besides, I would like to get to know you,” Cara said, curling up in her favorite wingback chair. “Let’s sit and have a chat. I haven’t seen you since that night at the awards banquet. Who is the new girl de jour?
    “Not you, too. The playboy thing is just an act, you know, part of my cover,” Derek said, sitting across from her on the loveseat.
    “Really? It seems to bother Raven quite a bit.”
    “Yeah, well, he needs to get a life and loosen up some. I think being with you is helping with that.”
    “I’ll take that as a compliment. Can I get you a cup of tea or something?”
    “I’ll get it. Here, cover up,” Derek said, handing her the lap quilt that was lying on the back of the loveseat. Then, he walked into the kitchen and grabbed two cups out of the cabinet. Cara felt slightly bemused at how caring and take-charge the two brothers were. Did they know how much alike they acted?
    The tea was soon made, and Derek handed her a warm cup. She blew on it absently as he settled back on the loveseat with his own cup.
    “You and Raven are very much alike. Why does he always seem so upset at you?”
    “It all started with a prophecy our foster father had,” Derek said. “Isanti Quiet Thunder is our tribal shaman, and he has mentored us in Shadow-walking since we were young. I think Raven was fifteen or so when Isanti got sick. He had a high fever, and we were all afraid that he might die. He was hallucinating, out of his head, if you ask me. Raven and I brought him water and food, though he didn’t eat. The only way to get the water into him was to dribble it into his mouth while we wiped him down. On the third night, he suddenly sat up in bed and pointed at Raven. You are the beginning, he said. You will find the woman who will lead the others in our tribe to their true mates. If you fail, the Shadow-walkers will pass into legend. Scared the shit out of me. Oh, sorry about the language.”
    “What did he mean, exactly?”
    “Hell, if I know. But Raven took the words to heart. He wouldn’t even look at a woman for the longest time. I’m not sure he isn’t a virgin.”
    “I don’t think . . . that is, he seemed experienced. Uhm . . .” Cara stammered, feeling her face warm.
    “Sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
    “I’m not embarrassed.”
    “Cara, your face is bright red,” Derek said, chuckling. “What I was trying to explain is that the prophecy messed with Raven’s mind. The future of the tribe is dependent on him. He takes responsibility for everything that involves the tribe. What’s worse is everyone lets him. Why should they worry, when Raven will do it for them? Our foster father gave him Isanti, Inc. He is in charge of everything and everyone.”
    “That seems like an awful lot to heap on one person.”
    “Exactly. Don’t get me wrong. Raven is honest to a fault. He didn’t even take a salary until we all insisted. He needs to relax, have some fun. Take a vacation. You can show him how.”
    “Me?”
    “Cara, he needs you. I guess we all do. You are the answer to the prophecy.”
    “I think you’re being a little melodramatic, don’t you?”
    “Maybe,” Derek said, shrugging his shoulders. “So what are you going to wear to your special dinner tonight?”
    “What am I going to wear?”
    “Well,