Brynna: A Stone Society Novella

by Faith Gibson

  Banyan whispered everything Uri had told Banyan. He even went so far as to relay all the crazy shit that had happened since they returned to Norway. “Someone’s out to get us.”

  “Let me go see what I can do about getting Urijah released. Sit tight.” As Cal made his way to the desk demanding to see his client, Banyan walked outside for some fresh air. He hadn’t heard from Brynna, and Travis should have reached her by that time. When the call went to voicemail, he dialed Travis’s number. He was about to hang up when Dacey answered.

  “Banyan. We’ve got trouble. We were run off the road by a large SUV. My car flipped. Travis is alive, but he’s pretty banged up. I’m waiting on the police to get here. We can’t get hold of Brynna, though.”

  “Shit. She didn’t answer when I called just now. I’m going to call the pub and see if she’s there and just not picking up.”

  “Okay. Call me back.”

  Banyan did an internet search for Johan’s, and when he found it, he dialed their number.

  “Johan’s Pub.”

  “Yes, I’m trying to get hold of my sister. She was supposed to be waiting at your bar, but she’s not answering her phone. Tall, blonde. Could be a model.”

  “Oh, uh, she got into an altercation. Before we could find out what happened, she went after the man who stabbed her.”

  “Stabbed? Did you say my sister was stabbed?” Banyan’s fangs were digging into his bottom lip. He turned his back to the door and reined in his beast.

  “Well, a woman was stabbed fitting that description.”

  “Where is she now?” Banyan demanded.

  “I don’t know. Another woman paid her tab and grabbed her purse. I’m assuming she took her to the hospital.”

  “Thank you.” Banyan disconnected and tried Brynna’s phone again. When she didn’t answer, he scrubbed his hand through his hair and did his best to calm down. He then searched the hospital nearest the pub and called them. The operator answered, and Banyan said in Norwegian, “I’m looking for my sister, Brynna Holgersen. She would have been brought into the emergency room.”

  “Let me connect you,” she responded.

  Banyan paced the sidewalk as he waited. After the call was connected, he was told there was no one admitted with that name or anyone fitting her description. Banyan hung up and called every hospital within a five-hundred-kilometer radius. Unless Brynna had been flown to a hospital on a jet, she should have been at one of the ones he called. “Fuck!” His phone rang, and he thumbed over the screen. “Bryn?”

  “No, this is Travis. Banyan, where is Brynna?”

  “Travis, how are you? Are you hurt?”

  “I’ll live. Passed out momentarily, and I probably have a concussion. Now answer the question. Where is my mate?”

  Banyan blew out a breath. “I don’t know. According to the manager at Johan’s, she was in some type of altercation with a man. She left the building afterward.” Banyan didn’t want to worry the human, but he had to be honest with him. “Travis, according to the female who answered the phone, Brynna was stabbed.”

  “What? Then she has to be at a hospital. I’ll call—”

  “Travis, hold up. I’ve already called around. She isn’t at any of the hospitals within five hundred kilometers. Speaking of, which one is Dacey taking you to?”

  “I don’t know. But don’t worry about me. Worry about finding Brynna. Oh, god. I can’t lose her too.” Travis’s voice cracked, and Banyan’s heart went out to the young man. As much as Banyan loved his sister, it was nothing compared to the bond Travis felt as her mate.

  “We will find her. I’m going to let Cal deal with getting Uri released, and I’m headed to the pub to get some answers.”

  “We’ll meet you there as soon as I’m stitched up.”

  “I’ll see you soon.” Banyan hung up just as Uri called to him in his mind.

  What’s wrong?

  Brynna’s missing. She was stabbed while waiting at the pub, then she just fucking vanished.

  Go. Do what you need to. Cal will get me out of here, or he won’t, but that’s not important right now.

  I’m sorry.

  Stop it. I’m a big Goyle, and I have a kickass attorney. I love you, B.

  I love you too.

  Banyan hated leaving his mate, but he needed to find his sister. He rushed to his car, and as soon as he was on the road, he called Julian. If anyone could help find Brynna, it was the Clan genius.

  Brynna was all kinds of disoriented when she came to. The first thing she noticed was the floor. As in she was staring at it from about six feet above it. The second thing that registered was she was hanging from the ceiling, bound by a shit-ton of ropes wrapped around her nearly naked torso. At least they left my underwear on. What the ever-loving fuck was going on? She was in a room made of concrete. There were no windows and only one door that she could see. Her arms were bent at an angle, but she had to at least try to claw her way through her bindings. Before she did that and outed herself as something other than human, she searched the room for cameras. She could only turn her head so far, so there was no way of knowing if there was one behind her.

  “Hey! Let me the fuck out of here!” Brynna reached out with both her shifter hearing and senses, but she didn’t detect anyone else in whatever hell she was in. “Fuck.” To claw or not to claw? Until she knew whether she was being watched, she couldn’t chance it. Instead, she called on her beast and wiggled her legs, hoping her Goyle strength would allow her to loosen the bindings around her ankles. It didn’t. Whoever had tied her up knew what they were doing. Her side was aching, and that was when she remembered being stabbed. There was a bandage over the wound, and it was no longer bleeding. The ropes had been wound around her so they weren’t touching that area of her side. At least they were considerate when trussing her up like a fucking turkey.

  Brynna then tried rocking back and forth to see if she could unhitch herself from whatever she was hanging on. She was able to swing her body, but it did nothing toward releasing her. She was well and truly fucked. All she could do was wait and see if her captors returned. If they didn’t? Brynna didn’t want to think about that.

  Banyan stormed into Johan’s and demanded to see the manager. A young man who didn’t look old enough to shave met Banyan at the bar. “The police have already been here to take a statement. I left the security footage pulled up because I figured you’d want to see it.”

  “You’re damn right I do. What did the police have to say?” Banyan asked as he followed the man to the back of the restaurant to a small office.

  “They’re checking cameras in the area to see if they can figure out where your sister went. Here you go.” The man handed Banyan a business card. “The politi asked that you call him.” The manager pressed a key on the keyboard, and Banyan watched as a tall male appeared to bump into Brynna as she sat at the bar. When Banyan found her, he was going to give Brynna hell for not sitting where she could see everyone around her. The man strode out the door after shoving a knife in Brynna’s side. Brynna jumped off the stool and took off out the door. What really pissed him off was that no one offered to help her. Brynna went outside, and a few minutes later, a tall brunette who was already in the bar said something to the bartender, handed over some cash, grabbed Brynna’s purse, then headed out the door.

  “I don’t know that woman. I want to talk to the bartender. I also want a copy of this video sent to my phone.” Banyan wrote his number down and gave it to the manager. He stood there to make sure the man did as he was told. When his phone pinged, he sent the video on to Julian, then motioned to the door. Banyan had to wait a few minutes for the bartender to get a break in customers. When she came over, Banyan asked, “The woman who paid my sister’s tab, what did she say?”

  “Just that she would take care of the tab and get the woman’s purse to her. That’s all. She laid down more than enough cash to cover the bill.”

  “Did you see the man who stabbed my sister?”

&nbs
p; “No, I’m sorry. We have been slammed all day. I was around the corner pouring a pint when it happened.”

  “Thank you.” Banyan scrubbed a hand down his face. He hadn’t felt this lost since he killed Mishka, the human Uri married in New Orleans. He didn’t regret taking the human’s life, but he did regret what it did to his relationship with Urijah. It took thirty long fucking years to finally get his mate afterward. And now his mate was being set up for something he hadn’t done. And Brynna… “Sis, where the fuck are you?” he whispered into the universe. As he was leaning against the brick of Johan’s, movement to his right caught his attention. A man was limping toward Banyan, holding his head. Travis. Dacey was right behind him.

  “Banyan, tell me you have something.”

  “I sent the security feed to Julian. Shouldn’t you be in the hospital?”

  “Not now, Banyan.”

  Banyan understood the human’s urgency, so he relented. “Let’s take a walk.” The three of them headed off toward where Banyan had parked. “How did you get here?”

  “I rented a car since mine’s totaled,” Dacey said.

  When they reached Banyan’s vehicle, he unlocked the doors, and they all piled in – Travis sitting next to him in the front, with Dacey in the back seat. “This isn’t a conversation to be had where humans can hear us.”

  “How’s Uri holding up?” Dacey asked.

  “He’s fine. Pissed, but fine. Cal is with him.”

  “Who’s Cal?” Travis asked, wringing his hands together.

  Dacey leaned forward, resting his forearms on either seat. “Our nephew. He’s one of the best attorney’s in Norway. If anyone can get Uri released, it’s Cal. Now tell us what happened here.”

  Banyan leaned his back against the door so he could see both males, then relayed what was shown on the video. “I didn’t recognize the woman, and I doubt Brynna knows her either, but I can’t say that with all certainty, considering she and I only reconnected a few months ago. I have no idea who is attacking us and whether or not they’re after me or Urijah. Brynna doesn’t make enemies, so she has to be a pawn in this shit, the same as you, Travis. The cops are looking into it, but I trust Julian to give us answers first. Travis, I know you and Brynna are newly mated, but have you tried reaching out to her with your mind?”

  “No. I thought that was something only Gargoyles could do.”

  “It’s not. If you—” Banyan’s phone rang. Seeing Urijah’s name almost brought a smile to his face. “I take it you’ve been sprung?”

  “Yes, but we have bigger problems than we thought. I was just about to reach out to you with my mind when I received a text. Banyan, it’s not good.”

  “Tell me.”

  “I’m pretty sure the Greeks are after us. I received a picture of Brynna. B…” Uri’s voice cracked. “In the photo, she’s tied in intricate knots and hanging from a hook. The message attached said, ‘Does this look familiar?’”

  “No. Fuck!” Banyan punched the dash, and Travis jerked backward.

  “I know it sounds bad, but at least we know she’s alive, and by the looks of it, unscathed other than a gash on her side, and that appeared to be already healing.”

  “Was there any clue as to where they are keeping her?” Banyan was so caught up in talking to Uri he missed Travis hyperventilating.

  “Breathe, Travis.” Dacey placed a calming hand on the human’s shoulder and instructed him to breathe, hold it, then release it.

  “Sorry. I just… Fuck! I can’t lose her too,” Travis whispered, tears filling his green eyes.

  “Uri, clues?” Banyan repeated as he gripped Travis’s neck.

  “No. The room was all blocks with no windows.”

  “Can you have Cal bring you to us? I don’t want to leave the area. I need to speak to the politi and see if they have any leads.”

  “We’re on our way. Hang in there, B. We’ll find her.”

  Banyan prayed his mate was right. When he disconnected, Dacey said, “I heard all of that, but explain the significance.”

  “It’s the same way Kallisto Vargas was tied up. She is Alistair’s adopted, human daughter. Alistair’s son, Theron, came after Jasper and Trevor. When Jasper first met Theron, the Greek would tie Jasper up in intricate knots and hang him from the ceiling, often leaving him there for weeks at a time. So, Urijah and some others did the same to Kallisto, only they didn’t leave her there. They only took the picture for shock factor, then placed her in a cell at the penitentiary. Tying Brynna up in the same manner means whoever took her knows about Kallisto. Knows about the photo. It has to be the Greeks.”

  Travis.

  Travis was hallucinating. He had to be, because Banyan was talking to Dacey, so it wasn’t his voice Travis heard.

  Travis. Brynna needs you.

  Travis closed his eyes, bringing up a picture of Brynna in his mind. She was wearing one of her cute dresses. The picture changed, and he was transported to the block room where Brynna was being held. Travis gasped. His beautiful mate was dangling from the ceiling, looking around as though she were searching for something.

  “Travis!” Banyan was squeezing his arm. “Uri said Brynna is unharmed other than the cut to her side, which is already healing. Remember, Brynna’s strong. She’s a full-blooded Gargoyle.”

  “She is, but she’s also hanging from a fucking hook from the fucking ceiling with her arms tied behind her back.”

  “We already know that.”

  “Yes, but I saw her. In here.” Travis tapped his temple. “I don’t know how that’s possible, but while you were talking to Dacey, I heard a voice in my head. It called to me, and somehow when I closed my eyes, I could see her. Not like looking through her eyes, but it’s like I was in the room with her.”

  “You have to try and reach her. Close your eyes again and concentrate. You can do this.”

  Travis took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and tried to put himself back in the room with his woman.

  Brynna, can you hear me?

  Travis?

  Yeah, Princess. I’m here.

  Fucking hell, Trav. I’ve been kidnapped.

  I know. I can see you. Somehow, I can see the room you’re in.

  You can? Great! Tell me if there are any cameras in the room. I didn’t want to cut myself down and expose myself as nonhuman.

  No, there aren’t any that I can see. And since there are no air vents near the ceiling, I doubt there are smaller, hidden ones, but I can’t be sure. Do you know where you are?

  No. The bitch drugged me.

  Brynna began wiggling. He couldn’t see her hands from the angle he was watching her, but she had mentioned cutting herself loose, so he assumed the claws were out. After several long moments, Brynna’s legs dropped.

  Ow, fuck, that hurts. Her arms were still trapped behind her. Brynna was at an odd angle, but that didn’t stop her. Using her stomach muscles, she brought her knees up to her chest, then released them. She did this a few more times until she was able to swing her legs up over her head and clasp her ankles around the rope attached to the hook.

  Brynna, what are you…? No, Baby. If you do what I think you’re planning, you’re going to fall.

  I don’t have any other choice. I can’t angle my hands to cut the ropes on my arms.

  Brynna placed her feet against the knot in the rope and began moving the noose. Before she could get loose, she turned her head toward Travis’s point of view.

  Shit, someone’s coming.

  Brynna. Brynna!

  “Travis, what’s happening?” Banyan was shaking his arm, bringing him out of his connection.

  “No, stop. I have to go back.” Travis closed his eyes, but as hard as he tried, he couldn’t get back into the room.

  “Damnit, I had her. She cut her feet loose and was trying to push the rope over the hook, but someone was coming. She said the woman drugged her. We have to find out who she was.”

  “Rope? Kallisto was strung up with handcuffs. That might be a
good thing. She can use her claws to slice through the rope.”

  “Did you miss the part where I said her arms were tied behind her back?”

  “Shit.” Banyan punched in a number on his phone and put it on speaker.

  “Banyan,” Julian answered. “I’m afraid I don’t have good news. Facial recognition hasn’t come up with any hits, which means they’re experts at covering their tracks. I scoured all the cameras in the area, and I was able to catch a glimpse of the car Brynna was in, but the tag was missing. I’m sorry, but there’s no way for me to trace or track it.”

  “Which also means the police aren’t going to be able to help.”

  “The only good news I have is I was able to hack into the police station’s mainframe. The information they have on Urijah has now been wiped, meaning they have nothing on him.”

  “Were you able to tell who set him up?”

  “No. Hagen Rossum arrived in the States and is helping Drago, but I couldn’t find where he was sending out information to the police in Norway.”

  “Which means he has help,” Banyan said. “If they hadn’t tied Brynna up the same way Kallisto had been, I might believe it was someone other than the Greeks.”

  “But you had nothing to do with Kallisto,” Julian said.

  “No, but Uri did, and he’s my mate. Anyone watching us in New Atlanta would have seen Brynna with both of us, and they would have also seen Brynna with Travis. Has anyone else found their mate? If so, they need to be on guard.”

  “Yes. Malakai has. Well, he’s scented her. Now he has to locate her.”

  “It sounds like you have your hands full there, so we’ll figure this out on our own.”

  “No. I’ll keep digging, and if I find out anything that will help, I’ll call.”

  “Thank you, Julian.”

  “Be well, Brother.”

  By the time the call was finished, Urijah and a male Travis didn’t know pulled up in the parking lot next to them. Banyan jumped out of the vehicle at the same time Uri did, and the two of them grabbed each other in a tight embrace. Travis took that opportunity to try and reach Brynna again.