by Emma Cole
I started yelling for the guards, panic tainting my voice. When they came, I thought they were actually going to help Iliam. Instead, they took Bane. He tried to reason with them, we both did, but they refused to acknowledge our pleas and wrestled Bane out of cell and down the hall.
I was an utter failure. I'd let my Quad down and made the wrong call.
"I invoke my right." The strained words escaped from Iliam, barely audible.
"Iliam, no!" He couldn't do this when there was still a chance. I was terrified he'd be lost to us forever if he went this route.
"I invoke my right to the Order of the Wraith." The demand heralded the magic that would speed Iliam's death.
If he was found worthy, he would join the Order as a Wraith Guardian. If he was found lacking, his soul would burn eternal.
His body disappeared when the magic was gone. My Quad brother was gone. I waited hours for Bane to be brought back, nearly losing the non-existent contents of my stomach at the blood and gore that covered him. He was barely conscious, and on the way past my cell, I caught his bloodshot eyes.
"He invoked the Wraith." Bane's eyes briefly widened before he did the same.
They didn't even get him in the cell before the ancient magic took over, as if it had been lurking in wait, after taking Iliam. That fit with the legends– in the hopes of being reunited, members of the same Enforcer group would choose to follow their comrade.
My thoughts and heart went out to my bondmate and last Quad member, and I could only hope that they found each other.
The guards tried to get my cell open, but it was too late.
"I invoke my right to the Order of the Wraith." The magic hit hard and fast, and I was gone a moment after the final word fell from my lips.
***
The asshole had upped the stakes. He'd penalized nearly the entire Clan for harboring fugitives. I knew it was a trap, but that money wasn't his. The narcissist had everything converted into gold and was having it transferred to the Manor's treasury. Hitting the security truck en route was going to be my only chance to retrieve it and reverse the effects his greed was having on my clan. Something was affecting me as well. My alter had been in a tizzy all day, and it was making me antsy.
I didn't bother to wait until the truck was out of the city, knowing it was to my advantage to strike now. At a stoplight, I darted under the truck and quickly chewed through a line that I immediately discovered was the fuel line. Yuck.
I retreated to the curb and stayed as hidden as possible while I made my way to the car I had left on the only highway leading into Clan lands. I shifted and dressed before I headed out to intercept the transport truck.
The truck had made it further than I'd thought it would, but the driver had still had ample warning and pulled off at a service station. I waited for the first guard to check out the issue while the second stood watch. The cursing that rang out had a satisfied smile curving my full lips.
The driver came out from under the rig and stomped off to the mini mart, leaving the second guard alone. I took my chance that my cloaking would hold even with the protections the Regent surely had demanded be in place. I had my sleeping dust handy in case things went tits up, but so far so good. I slammed the passenger side door and gained the attention of the guard who came running to investigate. As soon as he opened the door to check inside, I blew the dust in his face. A quick flip of his legs, and I shut the door to hide his awkwardly positioned body.
Not wasting time, I went around the back and used my ability to unlock the door, pulling it shut behind me without latching it. The gold coins and bars were secured in another safe inside the truck. After making short work of the lock, I hefted the heavy ass things out and into bags I had brought along. Who knew what tracking devices or charms were being used? It was a gamble just taking them.
The yelling in the cab clued me in that I'd run out of time sooner than anticipated. I had most of the gold, and it would have to do. I slipped out as carefully as possible and at least got the door shut, if not locked. The weight of the bags was a bitch to carry, but being cloaked at least let me walk quickly instead of having to sprint.
The shouts increased in volume with a clang of the doors being opened to reveal the empty vault. I lugged my bags across the bridge to where I'd left my car.
Now to figure out how to return the money.
I slowed for a red light when my alter went rabid. I lost control for a moment, and sailed directly into the intersection full of traffic. The airbag deployed, but it didn't help the minivan that T-boned my driver's side door. I lost consciousness moments later, the wails of my alter following me into the darkness.
***
Lorca
Something bad had happened, and I had a feeling it was my Quad. I'd managed to get a phone and in touch with the Commander again, and he'd only kept saying I needed to meet the teams for news. Trying to find my mate hadn't gone well as of yet, and I was out of options to quickly resolve the situation on my own. Against my better judgment, I met up with the Trio and Quad from HQ.
I'd barely made it into the hotel parking lot when my fears were confirmed.
"Enforcer Lorca, you are under arrest for aiding and abetting the thief known as 'Avarice', escaping the Ghost Clan Regent's custody, and desertion of your Quad. You will stand trial with the Therian Council House post haste." The Quad leader didn't appear to enjoy arresting me. It was ingrained in us during training to uphold our duties, but we didn't always have to agree with them.
"Not without my quadmates. We will all face the council together. Were you able to remand the rest of my Quad or detain Avarice?" I held out hope, small as it was, that my Quad was away from the Regent's reach.
The leader blanked his expression and motioned one of the others to cuff my hands. I evaded him and demanded again, to know where Vaughn and the others were.
"I called for help, and you're arresting me. I'll deal with the charges with the council, just get the others out of that gaol." They didn't understand, they had to get my quadmates out of there.
"I'm sorry to have to bear the news, Lorca." He dropped the formality and let his empathy show. "The Regent has claimed that the other members of your Quad attacked the guards when they arrived at the gaol and sustained extreme injury when they were subdued." He swallowed hard before he finished. "You're the last alive."
The devastation was bad enough that I nearly buckled to the ground, but the Enforcer's held me up. "Did– did you recover their bodies? I'd like to request a proper burial for them." It wouldn't do any good to proclaim their innocence; they were gone and beyond that now. I could only hope our bondmate was alive and I could get to her.
"Rumor is that they all Invoked." A tinge of awe infused the leader’s words. I could understand it as I was shocked myself. Why did they Invoke? What the hell happened in there?
At least I had an exit plan when it was time. I wouldn't leave my Quad brothers. "And Avarice?" I tacked on the last in hopes that he'd have enough sympathy to tell me. "She's our– my, bondmate."
That got his attention. His eyes narrowed on mine, and I could feel the fury emanating from him. "There's some bad shit going down here. She was picked up in a wreck a few hours ago with the gold she stole out of an armored truck bound for the Regent's treasury. She's fine," he answered before I could interrupt. "Seems her alter went crazy while she was driving. If she's your Quad's bondmate– I'd imagine she felt it." The man was pitying now, but so was I.
"We weren't bonded yet. We'd only just found out while she was helping a woman and her daughter leave the area. She was our target." It was a Hail Mary, but maybe I could sway the man. "Is there any way you get her to the council for trial as well? If she goes to the Regent's gaol, Anassa in-waiting or not, I doubt she'll make it out. Her only chance is for us to bond, otherwise…"
"As a favor for a fellow Enforcer and his bondmate, I'd try. For the circumstances and shady shit going on– we'll make it happen. Right?" He glanced from one Enf
orcer to the next, gaining agreement from each.
"Thanks, man. Really."
Maybe my bondmate and I could survive. Only time would tell.
Chapter One
Arimina
"Where do you think you're taking me?" I was woken up being pulled from my car with a bunch of curious humans staring around. I wasn't too banged up, as the airbag had done its job, and my alter’s healing was taking care of the minor bruises. I thought I recognized the police officer that currently held me, pretty sure he was one of my uncle's.
"You're being arrested for the cargo you have in your vehicle that belongs to the Regent." The guard, obviously moonlighting as law enforcement, roughly cuffed my wrists behind my back and manhandled me to a police cruiser where he stuffed me in the back. Other officers and paramedics on the scene were too busy with the small crowd and the occupant of the vehicle that had struck me to notice. Being this close to clan territory, it was likely that some were shifters themselves and too afraid of crossing my uncle to protest.
The acrid scents of motor oil and exploded radiator fluid wafted on the slight breeze to my oversensitive nose as the officer slammed his door shut, and I wondered if it would be the last time I saw the outside world. After being caught, it was unlikely that I would survive the night, let alone be released. Fear ran through my veins at what would happen in one of my uncle's medieval jails. The stories of trumped up charges and torture were rampant in recent years.
Unable to change my circumstances at the moment, I refocused on what had happened right before the wreck and mentally poked at my alter, trying to see what was wrong with her— she'd never gone crazy like that before. She didn’t do more than give me a perfunctory reassurance that she was okay before curling back up in her little metaphysical pocket inside of me.
***
As soon as we were away from the scene, I took my chance to escape. The restraints— no matter what they were treated with, wouldn't be able to stop me from getting out of them. Locks couldn't keep me in, or out— it was part of my ghosting abilities. My only worry before was outing us to the humans as I couldn't run forever from the Enforcers if I broke the number one supernatural rule. Unfortunately, the officer was prepared for me to try something, and I had my own tactics turned on me. Before I could even attempt to ghost, a powdery substance coated me in the back seat of the cruiser, and I quickly was rendered unconscious.
***
When I awoke this time, I was blindfolded and hanging from the grip someone had on my upper arms as I was dragged into the courtyard in front of the Ghost Clan gaol. I would recognize its fetid stench anywhere, having been forced on a tour when I reached my majority and found out about the seedier aspects of Clan business. The fingers that dug sharply into my upper arms had me scrambling to catch my footing, and my forward movement stopped as an argument reached my ears. Something about not being able to take me was the topic and I concentrated on my other senses so I could understand what was happening around me.
"We're under orders of the Regent, so you won't be taking possession of her today. She is to be presented at the Manor and sentenced for treason, conspiracy, theft, and exposure." The retort came from above where I was kneeling on the unforgiving brick path.
A male's voice, closer than before, refuted the man who held me. "The Therian Council trumps the Regent’s directives as that woman you are holding is Arimina Ruscov, the rightful heir to the Ghost Clan. Her bondmates have been found, and you know how the council feels about regicide. Especially with the possibility of heirs from a strong bloodline."
"She hasn't met anyone to be bonded to. It doesn't apply." The man didn't sound quite so sure of himself anymore.
"Be that as it may, the Therian Council is aware, and the source is reputable. If need be, I can have the Commander come himself."
With that threat my arms were abruptly released, and I slumped to the ground. I still hadn't been able to get my eyes to cooperate, and they remained shut while I concentrated on hearing what was going on around me. My muscles tensed as the footsteps of the male who wanted to deliver me to the council came closer. I didn't protest as an arm went under my legs and behind my neck before they lifted me into the air. Finally, through eyes I was just barely able to slit open, I viewed my pseudo rescuer— for even the reprieve of the council wasn't a good thing despite it being better than staying in the Regent’s clutches.
As I took in his bright red hair and rugged features, he gazed down at me. "Don't you worry, little lady. What I said was true, and I made a promise to do what I can to keep you from whatever insanity is going on in this region. My Quad and another Trio will be escorting you to the Therian Council to stand trial. At least it will be more of a fair trial than what would happen here— just don't try to run, please. I really do have one of your mates waiting; he assured me that you hadn't met yet, but he saw you enough to recognize the bond."
At his talk about mates my alter perked up, and I wondered if that was what her issue had been about. If one of them was hurt and she knew they were within the vicinity, it wasn't out of the realm of possibility that she would sense him— or them. I realized I didn't even know how many there were. The Enforcer knew as well as I did that if the council had my mate, then I would have to comply. They could hold them indefinitely until I came to them or until my death. It was a tactic that had been employed with excellent results in the past, and all shifters knew to be aware of it and not buck at the authority of the council.
Since there wasn't a third option, I went with him peacefully.
***
The comfortable vehicle that the man had directed me into wound its way through the countryside and back into the city. At least they were actually taking me to the council based on the landmarks we'd passed. When the Enforcer, Victor, had put me in the back of their SUV in between two other burly Enforcers, I had ignored them. Now, I finally felt comfortable enough when we were out of the Regent's immediate reach to look around at the other occupants of the vehicle. They hadn’t bothered me or been rude, and I figured I could be friendly enough to thank them at least.
As Victor hadn't restrained me in any way, I stuck out a hand in greeting to the man on my left. "Thanks for the rescue. I'm Arimina Ruscov."
The man eyed my pale slim fingers for a moment before he took them in a two-handed grasp, eyes alight with something akin to sympathy. "It's nice to meet you, little Anassa." He grinned at my resultant shock. "We really did meet one of your mates, and he explained who you were." I think I'm going to like this mate.
Curious, I shifted my attention to the other Enforcer. "You met him too?" He nodded at me. "Do you know whether he was one of the group sent after me? "
He tensed before glancing into the mirror where their team leader was eyeing him, and I caught a slight headshake that aroused my suspicions. Almost guiltily, the Enforcer answered my question. "He was with one of the groups sent to find the thief known as Avarice, which I'm assuming is what you mean?"
He didn't add anything further, and I wondered what they had done. It was rare that they would do something to jeopardize their mate, but if the reward was high enough, or they were greedy enough, it had happened. More than likely though one of them had been injured—Enforcers were generally honorable, it came with the territory. He, or they, should have been waiting. Something is wrong with my bondmates. The thought caused my fear to spike, and the others in the vehicle inhaled sharply, turning their gazes to me.
Their reaction startled me. It was an instinctive thing to scent fear or untruths, and it brought to mind that I had automatically cataloged that I wasn't picking up a lie. My alter wasn't perfect at it, and being that she was still mostly lethargic, it wasn't an exact reassurance, but other than blatantly omitting information, they hadn't done anything wrong to me yet.
"I'm Andrew, by the way." He tipped an imaginary hat at me, with a kindly smile upon his lips. "Nice to meet you, Arimina."
I flashed a halfhearted one at him in return as I se
ttled back to await our arrival at the Therian Council's headquarters.
Chapter Two
Three days later
As I faced the imposing gates of the Wicked Reform School, I crushed the welcome letter in my hand. I'd received it upon the ogre transport picking me up from the council's holding facility. My trial had been swift and perfunctory with little regard given to my arguments. The council had stated they would launch an investigation into my uncle, but he had shown up to plead his own case against a wayward niece rebelling against her future. He'd petitioned that I be turned over to him for correction and had been able to convince the members that I essentially needed to be severely reprimanded and taught a lesson.
They fell for his bullshit and sentenced me to six months at the Wicked Reform School. My uncle hadn't been happy, but he made a show of caring and had returned with a trunk of my belongings right before I was being picked up. When he waved me off, he'd appeared entirely too happy with himself as I was loaded into the back of the transport vehicle. The self-satisfied look didn't bode well for whatever his new plans were while I was locked up.
Besides the unfair hearing where my explanation had seemingly been dismissed out of hand, I still hadn't met my mate, or mates, and by the lack of information I doubted they even existed. It was only my alter’s faint reassurance that made me hold out hope that I hadn't been lied to. She still didn't seem as active as usual, but it wasn't like we had full-on conversations with each other— we mostly communicated by instinct and emotions.
After hours chained in the back of a converted box truck, I was relieved to feel it come to a halt, the engine shut off. Moments later, the cargo doors opened to reveal the hulking green driver. His smell was foul and all-encompassing and made my stomach clench in distress. It wasn't his fault, just a side-effect of his nature, but he noticed my reaction and sneered at me.
"Pretty Princess won't be pretty for long here." He spat on the ground with his vague threat and pulled me from the bench before he unlocked my restraints.