I scanned down the page a little, following G’s cues.
… With his armies, the man destined to be High Alpha, the greatest leader of all time, crushed the waves of mazoku that had struck the city of Tokyo, Japan. Hitoshi Murakami himself took off the queen’s head. In her place, more mazoku rose, but by then, the mazoku traps had been set with anti-magic and the pure might that was fur and fang. The mazoku, their queen, and their followers had been stopped.
So ended the first wave.
The second wave hit London, England, some weeks later. Many believed the end was nigh, that the apocalypse was here, for the wave was savage. Alas, Hitoshi Murakami succeeded once again. Thus, the High Alpha was born. The great and powerful seat of the first wolf claimed as his own in London.
Yet, what of the mazoku queen? Who was she? The creator of darkness? A god? Was she what some would call the devil in the days of a lost faith before the true religion came to light? Was she made in the interests of balance—the dark to oppose the light of the tenshi, our beloved creators?
There are some suggestions that she was once tenshi, that she rebelled and fell into shadow, wanting a different, darker way than her holy brethren offered. There are also those who offer the theory of her being a human who gave her body over to the shadow. We cannot know. Maybe one day her secrets will be revealed, but we can all sleep better at night in these days of peace, knowing she is defeated. We thank the tenshi, and we thank His Majesty, the High Alpha Hitoshi Murakami, for blessing us with the lives we are free to live.
Wow. What a sugary slice of High Alpha worship at the end. Timothy Faulks had written so many historical books, this had been the most popular. It was also pretty revealing.
“This bit,” I said, pointing to the passage about the human handing herself over theory.
“Yes,” G said, leaning over. “I told you it was interesting.”
“So, that could be true about the mazoku queen, and about Mama Rita. She wants to be their queen. I mean, it makes sense. But not the moon stuff.”
“Aki, I’ve been doing some more research into dreams, and came across something in the vault.”
Ah, I’d give my left nut to check out the books locked away in the vaults beneath the Spire Library. Okay, maybe not my left nut. Maybe my eternal gratitude?
“What is it?” I asked.
“This book is elvish. It mentions dream witches.”
“You what?”
“Dream witches,” he repeated. “Elven women who can walk in dreams. Unlock them.”
“Never heard of them.”
“Neither had I.” He held up the mega old book. “Found it in here when I was looking for elf and moon stuff.”
“That’s proper old, though,” I said. “You think they’re still around?”
“We have to find out.”
The dreams were the key. I’d known that all along—the brightest red flag. But they’d been driving me mad because I didn’t know what to do about them.
Wow. Could I actually be on the way to getting some answers? Possibly about the other half of me? I didn’t get my hopes up but was all for steps in the right direction.
“Guess we need a chat with the elves,” I said.
“Yes.”
“But first, we need to break out of this dump.”
He smiled. “That’s not going to happen. We have to wait.”
“What if he says no?”
“We’ll figure it out.”
“You just said that’s not gonna happen.” A lock of hair fell over my eyes. I blew it. Stupid thing wouldn’t move.
He chuckled. “You’re funny, Akira.”
“What the hell’s funny?”
He reached up and pushed the hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear.
“Just the way you always come back at me.” His fingers lingered on my ear. Something in him had shifted, his features softening.
Whoa.
“Gotta defend my corner,” I practically whispered, heat blooming just about everywhere in my body.
“That’s because you have a strength inside you that will never die.”
Whoa again! “Smooth talk.”
He licked his lips. Our eyes locked together. His fingers weren’t moving from my ear.
“You okay, G?”
“I don’t know.”
Those fingers became a hand that slid down to my neck, round the back.
“G…”
“Aki…”
The gap between us started to close, him gently pulling me toward him. It was like I wasn’t in this reality. But I was. Oh, I was ‘cos that was his warm breath brushing across my lips, that was his other hand on my bicep, and this was us, going in for a kiss.
What the hell was happening?
Just as our lips touched and my body went ping with all the warm and yummy feels, there was a knock on the door.
Fuck!
G pulled back straight away, up on his feet. “Yes?” he said through the door.
“Beta, sir. I beg your pardon. The High Alpha requires to speak with you and his son in the Alpha Chamber,” came a female voice.
“Okay. He’ll be right there.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“G.”
He turned around to face me. “Aki. I’m… I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Look. Deja vu, only now you’re the one all cut up about a kiss. We had a moment. It’s—”
He rushed me, and I was on my feet before his hands were on my face, his lips crushing mine.
Whoa to the max!
My hands mirrored his, and our lips clashed, smacking, wet with need, his breathing as frantic as mine.
I let out a small moan, sparks going wild in my belly. Not butterflies, but full-on electricity that was triggering my dick to respond.
Was that gonna happen? Was this lust gonna spill over, the pair of us tumbling into the bed together? Next step naked?
G broke off. “Shit. Akira. I didn’t. I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that.”
“Was it bad?”
“What? No. Of course not.”
“That’s good news.”
The way he looked at me had me prepping for another round. He was flustered, his big chest rising and falling, his green eyes almost fully gold—a sign of either anger or horniness in a werewolf.
“We’d better talk to your father,” he said.
* * *
The Alpha Chamber. A big frosty ice cube of glass—perfect for a cold and frosty father.
There he was on his throne. I couldn’t look at him, my head lowered in subservience. He’d like that anyway.
“I have considered the petition for you to remain at the flat on Grays Inn Road and have reached my verdict.”
My home. He didn’t have to be so clinical about it.
“I cannot allow you to continue living there.”
I looked up. Shit. Shit!
“However,” he added, “I understand the need for your freedom, Akira. Which has made me come to a compromise.”
I waited, lips zipped tight.
“You will now stay at Gabriel’s home. It is a far more secure building.”
“Thank you, Alpha,” G replied. “That is most kind of you.”
Deep breath. “Dad, no. There’s too much I’d be leaving behind. You know that. The vampires, Mrs. Wallace.”
“They will be taken care of.”
“What?”
“I will have the vampires moved to a secure location, Mrs. Wallace as well.”
“But—”
“That is my decision. If you do not accept those terms, you will remain here.”
Shit.
“There is more. You are hereby banned from taking on any hunting assignments. Effective immediately. If you disobey, you will be arrested and locked in the cells here for as long as I see fit. Gabriel? You will assume responsibility for stopping him from doing so.”
“Yes
, Alpha.”
“Dad—”
“Akira, I am in no mood to argue or to raise my voice. Enough is enough. If you will not live here, you will live at Gabriel’s. It is in the best interests of safety.”
“What about when I leave the house?”
“You’ll have a constant escort.”
“Right.”
“This is the way things will be, Akira. I did not need to offer my help to your friends, but I will.”
“Can I at least talk to Mrs. Wallace?”
“Yes. You may. After all, you will need to take what you require from the flat.”
“Okay.”
“Is that an agreement?”
“It is. Thank you, Dad.”
“It is good to see you following orders without too much protest. I know you are smart enough to know this is for the best.”
Always claiming to be acting in my best interests. “I do.”
Well done, Hitoshi. You broke me down. You win.
“Good. I’m glad that has saved us some time. You will head to Grays Inn Road, take what you need, and then immediately make your way to Hackney Wick. You will have an escort of twenty, including three SCU agents.”
“Cool.”
“Goodbye, Akira.”
“Bye, Dad.”
I bowed and made my exit. Freedom was mine, even if it did come with a bit of compromise. There were worse places to live than G’s gaff—this shithole being one of them.
Outside the Alpha Chamber, Sarah was waiting with Colin and Layla hovering nearby. Sarah was holding a white bag—looked like a laundry bag. “Your clothes, Akira. All freshly clean and dried.”
“Wow. You didn’t need to do that.” I took the bag. “Thanks.”
“You really do look good in the suit.”
“Bit crumpled now. Not long before I crumple stuff up.”
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sorry about today. I was really hoping for something more.”
“Don’t worry. I wasn’t expecting anything else.”
Sarah sighed heavily. She smelled of roses. “I find that awful. I wish there was something I could do to make things better.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it. That’s me and Dad. It always will be. Things will be better for that little wolfy, though.” I gestured to her swollen belly.
She rubbed her stomach protectively. “We’re both looking forward to meeting him or her. And I hope you will be part of their life. I would like that, and I think your dad would too.”
He has two sons already! What about them? Oh, wait. He’s like Goldilocks—looking for a kid that comes out just right. Third time’s a charm!
“Akira?”
“Yeah, sorry.”
“This child will be your sibling. I’d like them to know their big brother.”
And the other big brother? “Yeah.”
“I wish I could make you sound sure.”
“Look, Sarah. I admire you wanting to make this family happen, but it ain’t gonna. If you want me to come and see the kid, I will. Sure. But don’t expect miracles.”
She nodded.
“I don’t mean to be an arsehole, but that’s life. I’m happy for you, though. Don’t think I hate you.” Even though it’d be easier. “I don’t. I wish you all the best.”
“Ooh…”
“What’s wrong?”
“A feisty kick.”
“Oh.”
“Would you like to feel?”
“No. I’m good.”
“Please. Just feel.”
Ah, nuts. Whatever. Wouldn’t hurt.
She took my free hand and placed it on her stomach, resting her hand over mine. “Press down gently.”
There it was. A kick. “Shit.”
“That’s your brother or sister.”
The little critter kicked again, and for a moment, I found myself smiling. Blood of my blood in there, kicking away, waiting to meet the world.
Another sibling.
Too much.
I yanked my hand away. “See you around, yeah? Take care.”
“Akira!”
But I was already down the corridor to the lift I needed to get me out of there, G hot on my tail.
The walls were too close, the temperature too high. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t function all the way down to the ground floor, my heart pounding in my ears.
It wasn’t until I sucked in the air outside in the eternal dark that I finally came back to myself, bent over, my hands on my knees.
Then I threw up.
Chapter Seven
It was late afternoon by the time we arrived, under escort, back at my place. Ally and Drew were still with us, which was cool.
Mrs. Wallace was sitting on the bench, as always, staring up at the vamps’ flat.
“Hi,” I said to her. “You okay?”
“They’re gone.”
Dad moved fast. “I know. They’ve been taken to a safer location. They’ll be fine.”
“What is safer than their own home, Akira?”
“Trust me, Mrs. Wallace. They’ll be fine.” I sat down next to her. “Listen, I need to tell you something.”
“You’re leaving too.”
“Huh? How did you know that?”
“A hunch, dear boy.”
“You’re not clairvoyant or something?”
She chuckled. “No. I wish. Maybe it’s my age—my weary bones have made my brain stronger, increased my power of the hunch.”
I leaned back into the bench. “That’s a cool power.”
“I’d rather have less weary bones, though, and my younger face back. But that’s not for you to care about.”
“I do care.”
“Please. You’re twenty-four. You don’t need to care for a long time yet.”
“I’m sorry I have to go.”
She turned her head, her friendly face almost breaking me. “You’ll be back when the moon is right again, when the sun returns. Then we can enjoy a lovely cup of tea in there.” She pointed her walking stick at The Teacup. “Like the good old days.”
“I promise we will.”
“I promise that, too. Also, I love your suit.”
“Thanks.”
“It doesn’t really suit you if I’m honest, but you still look nice.”
“Always the sweetheart, eh?”
“That’s me.” She cleared her throat. “Before you leave, I have one request.”
“What’s that?”
“Come to the tenshi shrine with me, to pray. Please.”
I looked over to G. This was breaking Dad’s rules.
“I think that’d be great,” G answered. “Shall we pack first, though?”
Nice one, G. Stick it to the man. “Sure.”
Half an hour later, the baking essentials and everything else I needed loaded up into G’s car, I was ready for my prayer session with Mrs. Wallace.
The closest tenshi shrine to me was on Argyle Street, which was proper close to where Mrs. Wallace lived. It was walking distance, but no. Not even possible. I didn’t even suggest it because the escort would kick my arse from here to the other side of the Thames if I tried it. They weren’t happy to begin with and even insisted on clearing it with Dad.
He’d said yes, which’d almost made me drop with shock.
Hitoshi had a heart.
Let’s not go nuts.
* * *
The tenshi shrine on Argyle Street was once a temple for an old god—now a white stone box with steps leading up to the entrance, the whole thing surrounded by a white brick wall. Lanterns of white light hung along the wall, the tenshi prayer symbol painted in gold on the glass. Those same lanterns dotted the short path leading into the shrine steps—which was open twenty-four seven.
I thought it’d be busier with peeps needing to beg the tenshi for the sun back, or just ‘cos they were scared. But there was only me and Mrs. Wallace, and a young geezer deep in prayer. Oh, and the wolves scoping the place for threats—incl
uding a quick going over of the praying guy. He was cool with it, didn’t say much, and was human with no weapons or anything.
All clear.
Inside the building, it was all white with gold, arched windows letting in the moonlight to mix with the gentle candlelight.
This was my proper goodbye, and the first time I’d been to a shrine with Mrs. Wallace. I didn’t pray in these places much. In fact, I hadn’t been to one in a while. Probably a couple of years ago. Preferred to talk to our creators in my own space.
“What will you be talking to the tenshi about?” she asked. She sat down on the white, heavily cushioned pews. Worship didn’t need to be uncomfortable.
“I don’t know. I guess the usual—hoping everything will be okay.”
“Me too. But I’ll pray for you as well.”
“Thanks. You don’t need to.”
“Everyone needs a prayer from time to time, dear boy.”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t know much about what you do, but I know enough to realize you lead a dangerous life. And that’s all I need to know.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t be so shocked.”
“I’m not.” I was. We didn’t talk about this stuff. As far as I knew, she just thought I was the lad who hung out at The Teacup and brought her baked goodies sometimes.
“You are,” she said, “but that’s fine. Don’t worry. I don’t judge. And I pray you’re kept safe. That’s what I want, Akira. You to be safe. You’re young and have so much life ahead of you. I can see there’s a light inside you, waiting to get out and spread across the world. But you’re trapped.”
This was too much talking about me. “Trapped?”
“Yes. Sorry. That sounds like judgment. I can just see your light, Akira. It would be a shame if it died too early.”
Okay. This was weird. “Thanks.”
“You think I’m an old fruitcake.”
“No, I don’t. Thanks for caring.”
“Of course.” She patted my arm. “Gabriel is lovely.”
The beta and everyone else were waiting outside. “He’s a good guy.”
She giggled and didn’t say anything. Was that her seeing something else?
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