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

tribe is as good as extinct.”
    “Don’t let this come between you and Derek. Miss Patterson is the traitor, not your brother. He watches your back as much as I do.”
    “How can you say that? Every time I turn around he has a new woman on his arm.”
    “Raven, sometimes you are so blind,” Joe said, shaking his head. “Get your head out of your ass and think. Being a playboy means no one takes you seriously. That is Derek’s cover . He is still doing jobs for General Holland. He walks through Shadow more than any of us.”
    “But he had women hanging all over him before he joined the team.”
    “Yup, women who thought they could get to you,” Joe pointed out. “Derek has been protecting you from having to deal with every money-hungry bitch that decides dating the heir to Isanti, Inc., is her ticket to glory. Amanda Patterson is the latest. I’m surprised you haven’t caught on to it. But every time you see a new woman on Derek’s arm, you let your anger cloud your judgment.”
    “Well, hell.” Is that what Derek did? He did seem to show up whenever Raven was being accosted by an unknown female. Was his brother trying to protect him? There had been that woman from the press, and the woman from the caterers. Raven thought back and remembered how many times his brother ran interference for him, and he hadn’t even noticed. “I guess I owe Derek an apology.”
    “Your brother loves you, Raven. He’ll keep Cara safe for you,” Joe assured him.
    Raven hoped Joe was right. Cara was the key. She would direct the other team members to their future wives. Because of her, the tribe would continue.
     
    §
     
    The last week of school was bittersweet to Cara. She was saying goodbye to her students as they moved up to a new grade. She hoped they’d received what they needed from her teaching. She’d already begun the grading process, and after today’s test, she would have all the information she needed to start filling out the report cards.
    She looked out at her class, all working diligently on their papers. It had been a good year. She was almost sorry to see the school year end. She picked up a pencil from her desk and started doodling on a scrap of paper. Mrs. Cara Darkwood, she wrote in flowing script. Or maybe she should keep her maiden name with a hyphen. Mrs. Cara Hamilton-Darkwood. No, too long. She’d never fit all that onto a check signature line. A cold breeze blew across her skin, and Cara looked up expectantly. Was Raven here? She didn’t see him. But she’d had that same sensation when he’d walked through Shadow and appeared near her. Was she imagining things?
    “Miss Hamilton, I’m finished, and I have to go to the bathroom,” the little girl in the front row said as she walked up and placed her test on Cara’s desk.
    “All right, Diane. But no dilly-dallying. Go straight to the bathroom and come straight back.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” the girl replied.
    Cara gave the girl a smile of encouragement and watched her leave the room. The shadows near the door seemed to waver and move. Cara felt her skin prickle, and the hair rose on her arms. Something wasn’t right.
    Raven? Cara sent across space and time to find his mind.
    Are you all right? What is wrong? Raven’s voice came into her head almost immediately. She could tell he was still in New Mexico.
    I’m not sure. I feel like someone is near me, someone in the Shadow Dimension.
    You are amazing, Cara. I’m not sure even our warriors would know someone is watching them from Shadow.
    So someone is watching me? Cara asked indignantly.
    Just to keep you safe, baby. Something has happened, but I would rather tell you in person. Are you free for lunch?
    Yes, but, I don’t like this, Cara sent to Raven’s thoughts along with her feelings of frustration. What was going on that she needed to be watched?
    I’ll explain at lunch. I promise, Raven was quick to reply.
     
    §
     
    A few hours later, Raven paced in front of the school. What