Burned In Shadows

by Eden, Tigris

  The crowd held her immobile. Some were happy with her status, others like her mother, were not.

  “Mr. Johnson,” she addressed Dietrich first. “Can you escort Solon to his quarters and see to the needs of my guests?” She didn’t command, but her voice did hold authority.

  “Sister, I would speak to you now.”

  She sneered in Solons direction, and Bena equally bristled as his request.

  “Be happy I allow you to live, mercenary.”

  “Belinda! You will not speak to your brother that way.” Her mother warned. Her eyes cutting into the heat of her daughter’s skin. She wasn’t going to acknowledge her mother’s blatant disrespect, but she wasn’t going to let it go without addressing it either.

  “You will address me as Matria, and mother, Aunt Cleo promises to visit soon.”

  There was an audible gasp from the others in the crowd. Cleopatra never spoke to any of the previous Matria’s. This was common knowledge. You died, and you were reborn, those of Cleopatra’s bloodline would awake in the palace. Those, not of the Matria’s blood were sent to the lighthouse in ancient Alexandria, and were never allowed to walk the grounds of the in-between. There was a ritual to things, and for her aunt to approach her, spoke volumes. Not only to her, but to those in the Enclave. Cleopatra was the last remaining mother of old. The other clans had perished during their time of persecution. She had remained. Cleopatra VII was the true Matria of House Phoenix. A Goddess in her own right.

  “You will go with Dietrich, Solon.” She looked over to her mother, and gave her the coldest smile she could muster. “And mother you will quiet your tone when speaking to me.”

  Someone approached her with a robe and Bena bent her head rubbing the tip of Belinda’s cheek as she began the painful task of blending back into her body. She felt Bena digging beneath her skin. Felt the bird’s talons as they stretched and began sliding towards her waist. Bena’s beak turned and burrowed just beneath her shoulder. Once the transition was complete, Belinda went about the task of addressing her people as Dietrich led Solon away from the crowd.

  Chapter 32

  There was a constant dripping in the far corner. He could hear it as if someone were quietly trying to turn on the faucet so that it didn’t gush out. His body protested as he tried to sit up. He hated when he didn’t remember what happened during the change. That ass of a doctor had assured him that in time, he and his wolf would be on the same page. There was a monumental disconnect between him and his wolf. They should have been communicating, not fighting for dominance over the other. He was completely naked on a concrete floor, his body warmed by the arm over his stomach. Wait. Arm?

  He turned as much as his body would allow and looked at the woman from his dreams. He knew it was her from the tropical scent. Faint as it was because she was covered in dirt and blood. The skin on her neck a puckered pink wound healing from some nasty bite. He remembered all too quickly what had happened.

  The woman was Zea, but not. She looked all wrong now, smaller, softer, rounder, but with more tone. Her hair was long and the color of dark rich mahogany. She looked peaceful as she slept next to him on the floor. Had it all been a dream or had that shit actually gone down?

  “Wake up.” He whispered into the darkness. She didn’t move, and that worried him. He could see her perfectly, and although her breath was a little ragged he still wrapped a hand around her throat to feel her actual pulse. His muscles loosened as he felt the rapid thrum of her heart beating against his fingers. This time he gently tugged on her arm. That got her attention.

  “Draven?”

  Marcus had called him that.

  “I don’t know anyone named Draven.” He watched as her face went through various stages of confusion, fury, hurt, resignation, and finally determination.

  “You do know him, you just refuse to believe it.”

  Great, he was dealing with a sage. When she didn’t say anything further he took the time to look at her. She was beautiful. Stunning in the darkness, even with dirt caked on her face. Her golden eyes a beacon in the small room.

  “Who are you?”

  “Someone who knows the real you.”

  “So tell me about the real me.”

  She sat up and pulled her body back resting it against the wall. Knees bent she rested both hands on her knees, and took a deep breath. Her hair was a bit messy, and it was hard for him to take her serious when she looked so distraught. Dammit, he was worried about her. He never worried about anyone. Did he? She was making him second guess his actions and the person he knew himself to be. Black growled and moved to the opposite side of the room. She smiled as if something she remembered was funny.

  “You use to growl at me whenever I frustrated you, or made you horny. Which one is it now?”

  “I’m not horny.” Liar. He was ready to pound nails through six inch thick steel, he was so hard. Being in her presence did that to him. “So you’re someone from my past?”

  “You’re future too.”

  There she went with the sage answers. He could smell lies, but if he was being honest with himself he couldn’t smell anything but sheer determination, and the cloying scent of her honesty.

  “You know me, your wolf recognizes me. I’m the reason it hurts to sleep with that cunt Melissa. Should have figured that bitches play out from jump.”

  “You talk like you know her.”

  “That’s because I do. She was your girlfriend during our five year separation. Don’t know why your wolf even allowed you to go back to that ratty ass ho.”

  He’d laugh at her if the situation wasn’t true. He did hurt, and a small part of him thought in the beginning that he was missing his better half. He’d dreamed of her. In his dream, she hadn’t been cleared until now. It was as if a veil had lifted, and now, his dreams were colliding with reality. Memories flashed in front of him in vivid color and detail. Her on a beach smiling at him over a drink. Him approaching her in a club. Fucking her against a moss covered wall among night blooming orchids.

  Black shook his head to break free of the memories. No, the dreams. He had flash backs of dreams. None of this was real. Somehow she was fucking with his head. Then another memory speared him, her in danger and at the mercy of Marcus. The traitor that was now dead. A child, their child, Faith. A child he’d barely met. He’d missed the first five years of her life, only to have her taken from him again. He tried to come to terms with the sudden rush of emotions, all having to do with a family that probably didn’t exist. He couldn’t trust these memories. What if she’d been sent here by the Agency to fuck with his head?

  He was Black, yet he was also remembering Draven Stone. Draven Stone of Shadow Unit. But how was any of that even possible? Furthermore, if it were true, he was a horrible, horrible, father and mate. A feeling of dread settled in his gut. A memory of fighting on the table while the sadistic son of a bitch doctor had stood over him while injecting something directly into his forehead. After being forced into a small confined room, just like the one he was in now. Had they broken him? Had he been someone’s mate, someone’s father and the organization just processed him into another life without his consent?

  “Tell me about how we met?” He asked, trying to reconcile truth from fantasy.

  “The first time we met was on the beach at a bar.” She sat forward and placed her head on her knees shaking her head back and forth as if contemplating the outcome of their conversation.

  “Later, at Odessa’s we ran into each other again where we hooked up, made love out in the jungle beneath the stars and created our daughter Faith. I didn’t see you again for five years.”

  “I see, and you’re who again?

  Her entire body flinched as if his words slapped her.

  “I’m Jes.”

  “Jes.” He tasted her name on his mouth, and it felt right, but it also felt wrong. There were conflicting stories clashing in his head. This was some fucked up shit. She sighed and
lifted her eyes to meet his. She looked at him for long moments before dropping her head against the wall with a thud.

  “You gonna get us outta here?” They had never been kept here. He’d come down to question her and right now he felt he had all the answers he needed.

  “I’m gonna leave. You’re staying right where you are.”

  There were questions forming in his head now, and he figured he knew just who could answer them. Jes didn’t argue with him, and something told him normally she would. As he stood and opened the door to the cell he looked over his shoulder to say one last thing before he closed the door.

  “You’re safe in here.”

  # # #

  “Our girl has gone rogue.” Dietrich said to the two assholes currently sitting across from him.

  “Jes.”

  Who the fuck did they think he was talking about?

  “Yeah, went to the spot. Adam was there, not her. Word is she got herself into a bit of a squeeze.” That shit was not his problem. There was no love loss there, but she wasn’t a bad bitch either. D mentally shrugged. He never waited for anyone. That was one of the reasons he stayed out of trouble. He did this for the paycheck, not for the camaraderie.

  “And?” Royce said standing up from the table and pushing the chair back. The dude was already pissed. Bells had dismissed them so calmly that he knew it made the twins hackles rise. He let a smile spread across his face. It had been at least four hours since her dismissal.

  “What the fuck are you smiling about?” Ronin asked.

  “You got beef Vin?”

  “Vin?”

  Dumb fuck could play stupid all he wanted, shaved head, silver eyes. He thought he was muthafucking ‘Chronicles of Riddick’ and shit.

  “Let me guess, y’all two idiots want to go in for a rescue? Am I right?” Why did he even open his mouth? She’s Belinda’s friend. So the fuck what, she was also a team member. The rules were clear. Dravaggio called shit off, you did not deviate from the plan, and go into the dark without back up.

  “What the fuck do you think Blade?” Oh this motherfucker thought he was being funny with the name calling.

  “I think you two are being led around by your dicks, but then I’m entitled to my own opinion. They both signed up for the team and knew what that meant. You don’t disobey a direct order. If you do, shit happens.

  “And for the record, I don’t sling blades or have fangs. Cap that shit and stop with the jaw jabbing. I don’t have time for you Royce.”

  “I don’t run around saying lame ass one liners either.” Ronin fired back with his arms crossed over his chest. The fuck he didn’t. He was a notorious one-liner.

  “Why don’t you plug into her and see if you can get her online.” He knew those two could communicate via head chat.

  “I’ve tried. Either she’s being blocked, or I am.”

  “Well, too bad for her.”

  “What about Faith, Dietrich? You gonna tell her you didn’t want to go back for her mom because you’re a giant ass dick with a chip on your shoulder?”

  Well didn’t he just fucking suck. The kid had made him grape Kool-Aid once. He wasn’t going to do that to her. He stood from his chair and looked over at the twins and nodded in the direction of the door opening. Belinda. She’d heard their conversation, and she didn’t look to happy with what she heard.

  “Ceremony is on hold until were done sorting Jes and Draven out. Not leaving my girl hanging.” She shuffled to a closet and started tugging her robe down. That was his cue to leave.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” Ronin got up from his chair and walked over to shield her as her robe hit the floor. What the fuck was her deal?

  “Getting dressed.” Was her only answer. He wasn’t looking, it was like watching his sister get it on with a guy. Fucking not his thing.

  “Not in front of D, baby.” Royce said glaring daggers at him.

  “I’m ghost.” D turned and walked out of the room. He hoped one of the twins would have their shit together; otherwise, Belinda was going to walk all over them.

  Chapter 33

  “We need to get back to the apartment, scope shit out and find the best way to get in and get our girl out.” Royce said.

  “What about Draven?”

  Ronin grunted.

  “I’ll clock him, and drag his ass out of there if I have to.”

  “Sounds like plan.”

  Bells walked to the other side of the room and started to pull clothes out of the dresser drawer.

  “Even though there’s no ceremony, I want to say bye to Aria. My mom said she’s devastated I’m leaving again so soon.”

  She pulled on a pair of black Capri-cargo pants, black boots and a black tank top. His woman was ready to kick ass. So fucking hot!

  “I’ll be right back,” she turned and pinned his brother with a smile. “And Ronin.”

  “Yeah Deva.”

  “You think you could grow your hair out for me?”

  What was with her asking for Ro to grow his hair out?

  “Anything you want.”

  “Good, cause I want something to hold onto when I’m taking you there.”

  She winked at his brother and playfully threw him a kiss as she headed out the door.

  “We’re so fucked.” Ronin said after the door closed.

  Royce threw back his head and laughed. Yeah, they were fucked, but in a good way.

  “Let’s be ready when she gets back.” Ronin said.

  The task of being ready didn’t take long. Royce was lounging in a chair. He was trying to contact Jes, but he still couldn’t get her. It had to be this location. He didn’t know if it was due to their location being in another dimension or what.

  “Still nothing?” His brother asked.

  “Nada.”

  “As soon as we hit the streets we should be clear.”

  “Let’s hope so.”

  Ronin’s back was to him, hands in his pockets. When he stood like that it was because he was contemplating their next move. He always calculated risks, was good at it.

  “It bothers me that we’re in the dark.”

  It bothered him too.

  “We were able to read D.”

  “Natural defense is what I’m thinking Royce. Because if it’s the other way around, we just tied ourselves to a woman who’s not truly ours.” Ronin turned to face him so he’d know he was seriously considering the latter of the two possibilities.

  Royce disagreed, he did not repeat his mistakes twice. Ever.

  “Stop looking for pot holes.”

  The look in his brother’s eyes were fierce but also vulnerable.

  “I need her. I need her so I can breathe. So I can rest easy.”

  “You also need to prove it to her. From the beginning, you’ve been avoiding her. Leaving her in bed when we're no longer tangled. Leaving me to do the emotional shit. If you plan to be a part of this, you need to give in and contribute one hundred percent. Don’t let the past steal your happiness. Bells is doing the best with what she has. Knowing Dietrich was her intended didn’t make things easier. He left her at the altar, scarred her deep. Made it hard for her to believe our intentions were real.”

  “You had a big part in her hesitance, bringing women around her, when there was a possibility she was ours.”

  Ronin walked to the side of the room and leaned against the wall.

  “We all have issues, and me and her are trying to move past it. You need to as well brother. We can heal each other.”

  Was he being overly sappy or what?

  “I hear what you’re saying. I get it.”

  “Don’t just get it. Do it. I like fucking my girl alone, but I also like giving her something that’s fucking phenomenal. Together we give her that.”

  Ronin nodded in agreement.

  Royce looked down at his watch and glared. She should have been back already.

  “Aria probably
needed extra time with her sister.”

  Yeah, but they had to get going so contact with Jes could be made.

  “We need to get Jes, Aria is a big girl. She can handle her sister leaving to help out her best friend.”

  Royce walked over and opened the door.

  What greeted him on the other side was not who he ever expected to see. Or the four feral standing guard. The one person who could incapacitate him and his brother with her words alone. Sanya.

  “You two thought I would forget all about you.”

  She stepped into the room with the guards and Royce could do nothing but step back. When they cleared the door Ronin pushed off the wall and approached her.

  “How? You’re-”

  “Dead.” She finished for him. “Hardly.”

  She laughed and walked over to the table and picked up one of Bells perfume bottles. The guards positioned themselves on either side of her.

  “You’re not Sanya.”

  “I am.” She turned to face both brothers. “You let them torture me.” Her face hardened. “Let them burn me at the stake, and didn’t once come back to see if I’d survived.”

  She was human, she should technically be dead. How was she even here? Royce thought to himself.

  “You ran away from us. We would have given you everything.” Ronin said on a strained whisper.

  “Well, now you can.”

  They both stared at her in what could only be shock. She hadn’t changed a bit. Long hair flowing free around her shoulders lightened from the sun. She was beautiful before, but now he saw it, could see her for what she was. Conniving. The cold calculation and the woman he thought had fight was a woman with callus feelings.

  “Now we can what?” Ronin asked carefully.

  “Now, you can give me everything.” The guards moved forward blocking in him and his brother. Royce knew they were fucked.

  Chapter 34

  Jes was trying to get a hold of Royce again, when the door to her cell opened. She sat straighter against the wall and looked up into eyes, so black there was a chance of never seeing the green again.