by River Ramsey
“Like who?” Christopher asks doubtfully.
“I overheard them plotting to kill the King,” I remind them. “I say we go all the way to the top.”
I just hope the young king is more willing to listen than the old fool who left his pack vulnerable to destruction.
Chapter 24
It took some convincing to get the guys on board with my plan, and I think the only reason they all agreed is for lack of a better one, but either way, I finally feel like we’re making progress. We’re deep into vampire territory, which is the only way to reach Eternus territory without running into Ryland’s forces.
If there’s one thing I know will give him pause, it’s vampires. The rivalry between our kind has gone on as far back as the records that exist, and just being in a city overrun by the undead is a risk in itself. Granted, it’s a calculated one with three big alpha males surrounding me at all times, especially since one of them is a hybrid. James assured me with a rueful smile that vampires are every bit as put off by his existence as wolves are.
Tarka is a vast coastal city full of ten times as many humans as vampires, and the nervous looks on their somber faces as they dart to and from work tells me they know the danger they’re in. The city might look like any other, but the entire region is guarded by a forcefield that reads the data in the electronic collars they all wear, either around their wrists or their necks.
The humans in Tarka are a food source, even if they are allowed some semblance of a normal life. Most of them have jobs and go to school. They’re forced to give blood regularly, and the structure of the “donation” centers keeps the human rights activists at bay, but there are plenty of predators lurking who’d rather have a hot meal.
If there’s any life more tightly controlled and circumspect than an omega’s, it’s that of a human in vampire country. I’m sure the only reason they’re allowed as much freedom as they have is because their population increases that way.
While humans lack the sensory perception to recognize monsters wearing identical skin, they all look at us as if they know something’s amiss. I’m average height for a woman my age, but the guys all tower over the humans, even Christopher, who’s not that tall for an alpha.
“This place gives me the creeps,” he mutters, glancing at James. “No offense.”
James has been silent the entire walk to the bar where his contact is supposed to meet us. According to him, this vampire is a broker of information who knows how to smuggle people into Eternus territory. If we’re going to reach the King, that’s our ticket in.
I can tell that being this close to so many humans is difficult for James. The realization makes me pity him, but it’s also a reminder of just how dangerous he really is. I put my arm in his, hoping that my touch gives him a fraction of the comfort his gives me. “Are you okay?”
He gives me a strained smile and nods. I’m not sure if he’s being so quiet because he’s distracted, or because breathing makes restraint more difficult. Supposedly, being a hybrid doesn’t actually mute his thirst for blood. If anything, being out of practice with hunting humans seems to make it more difficult for him.
We finally reach a bar that doesn’t look like much more than a stairwell leading down below the street, but James seems confident this is the place. As soon as he opens the door, the pounding music sets a migraine in action. Is this really how vampires like to spend their time? There seem to be a good number of humans on the floor, and unlike the modest folks on the street, most of them have their collars proudly on display.
There’s a woman in a black latex bikini dancing on a stage in the middle of the room, her collar hooked to a thick metal chain leash attached to the pole she’s dancing on. I like to think I’ve come a long way from the sheltered omega I was when this all began, but I find myself blushing on her behalf. Unlike the vampires sitting around the stage, staring at her like she’s dessert, James and Christopher don’t even seem to notice. I follow them behind the bar and up a set of stairs that lead to a private area.
The scent of blood hits my nose—a few moments after James’, I’m sure. He freezes and I spot the woman moaning in the next room as two males feed from her, one from her neck and one from her wrist. The fact that she seems to be enjoying herself comes as a surprise, and I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have James…
No. I can’t let myself go there. Especially not now. It’s obvious that any reminder of his vampire half causes him distress, so I doubt it would even be an enjoyable experience for him. After learning the truth about his birth, I can understand why.
I still feel guilty for knowing such an intimate detail that he’s obviously tried to keep hidden, but I don’t know how to bring it up without upsetting him.
James keeps moving and I notice that Christopher has moved between us. I glare at him for the unsolicited overprotectiveness, and he pretends like he doesn’t notice.
“Here,” James says, holding open a door that leads into a dark room with couches on every wall. There’s a cage in the middle and I don’t even want to know what that’s for.
“You’re sure this guy’s on the up and up?” Rowan asks skeptically. I can tell he’s by far the most skeeved out by this little field trip out of all of us. Not that even the most ballsy vampire would risk going after his neck.
“Girl,” James corrects. “She’s an old friend. I trust her.”
Jealousy immediately flares up in me and I suppress it, but not without a thorough scolding. I should be glad James has someone in his life that he trusts, especially since it’s not something that comes easily for him.
The door opens and my shallow hope that maybe she’s ninety-five goes out the window when I see the gorgeous blonde clad in a skin-tight leather corset and jeans that look painted on. She’s voluptuous, but her waist is narrower than mine, and she’s got that goth girl vibe going for her that vampires so obviously obsess over. She looks at each of us and her stark blue eyes settle on James. Her purple lips part in a big smile as she runs to throw her arms around his neck.
“Jamie!”
I’ve never actually met a full-blooded vampire, but somehow I never imagined they’d be perky. Her fangs seem even sharper than the pictures I’ve seen, and she makes no attempt to hide them.
James returns the hug stiffly and pulls away, looking at me. “Thanks for coming, Brit. This is my girlfriend, Danica,” he says, putting his arm around my waist. “Dani, this is Brit.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, trying to convince myself not to throw in the towel and shrink behind the sofa. Why isn’t he with her? She’s gorgeous, she understands the side of him he seems to hate in himself, and she obviously adores him, given that warm reception.
It hits me a moment later that he introduced me as his girlfriend in front of the others. Rowan doesn’t seem phased, and while Christopher is silent, he doesn’t seem surprised, either.
Guess it’s all out in the open now.
“She’s cute,” Brit remarks, her eyes flickering over me appreciatively. “Never seen a little omega flower in person.”
Christopher and Rowan move in a little closer, and I can tell they’re both tense in the vampire’s presence. Even I’m getting a little apprehensive with the way Brit keeps eyeing my neck, but I remind myself that I trust James’ judgment.
“And you brought the whole pack,” she sneers, her toothy smile widening as she plants a hand on her hip. “How fun.”
“Sorry to cut things short, but we’re on a time-sensitive mission,” James says politely. “Do you think you’ll be able to help us?”
“It’s gonna be hard with four of you,” Brit muses. “But I think I can manage. Hope you’re good with pretending to be a leashed pet, Danica.”
“Wouldn’t be that much of a departure from the usual,” I mutter.
She laughs. “It’s settled, then. I’ve got a guy who’ll arrange to have you brought through the border with a caravan shipment. James, you’ll be playing the part of a
wealthy half-blood broker, and these hunks can be your bodyguards. I’ve even printed up your documents, and the paperwork for owning an omega.”
“They’re going to believe a hybrid got his own omega?” Christopher asks in disbelief.
“You’re entering Eternus territory, darlin’,” Brit says, folding her arms over her ample chest. “Money talks and this cover didn’t come cheap, so don’t blow it, hm?”
Christopher grunts, but I can tell he’s as doubtful as I am. Brit’s phone rings and she exchanges a few short words with the person on the other line. What little I hear gives me the sinking suspicion that she’s not just brokering a sale of donor blood.
“Excuse me just a sec,” she tells us, slipping out of the room.
“What exactly are we going to be delivering in this ‘shipment’?” I ask, turning to James.
“I was wondering the same thing,” says Rowan.
James doesn’t answer right away. I can tell from the look in his eyes that he’s uncomfortable, which can’t mean anything good. “It’s the only way in, Danica.”
“People?” I cry, reading between the lines. “Why would your friend smuggle humans into Eternus territory?”
“Vampires have an appetite for human blood, but they’re not the only ones who keep them as pets,” James says in a somber tone. There’s shame in his expression, and I try to scale back my own reaction when I realize he’s going to read my horror as a projection onto him. “For what it’s worth, they’re going to a better life than the one they’d live here.”
“It’s usually humans who’ve refused donations, or tried to escape,” Christopher murmurs. “Before the trade started, they were just killed.”
“You knew about this?” I ask in disbelief.
Christopher sighs. “You were sheltered, Dani. I know the Eternus packs seem civilized, but they just exorcise their demons in different ways.”
His words make me shudder. Demonic is about the right term for it. “I hate this.”
“I know,” says James, touching my cheek. “For what it’s worth, so do I. But if we’re going to stop Ryland, this is the only way.”
I nod, knowing he’s right. I have been sheltered, and that’s become abundantly clear ever since taking a step outside my gilded cage. There’s more cruelty and darkness to this world than I ever imagined, and I’m afraid that uncovering the truth about my past is only going to lead me deeper into it before I reach the light.
Brit comes back in, a triumphant look on her face. “Alright, puppies. We’re all set.” She pulls four stubs of thick paper from her corset and offers them to James. Of course. “Here are your tickets to the golden palace.”
“Tickets?” Rowan frowns. “We’re flying?”
“Of course. You didn’t think you were driving, did you?” she asks. “Much more stylish, and it takes half the time. You’ll have your own private flight.” Her eyes dance with mischief as she looks at me. “Something tells me you’ll find a way to occupy the time.”
Chapter 25
I’ve never been on a plane before. Hell, I can count the number of times I’ve been in a car on two hands. Omegas aren’t allowed to travel without direct supervision from an alpha, and the fact that I’ve got three surrounding me does little to calm my nerves.
The sky is overcast and heavy with rain as we take off, and the sight of the plane lifting into the air makes my head spin. James touches my shoulder from the seat next to me. “It’s alright,” he reassures me, not for the first time.
I give him an apologetic smile and settle back down in my seat. “Sorry. I’m sure I’m making you nervous.”
“It’s understandable,” he says, taking my hand. It’s just the two of us in the aisle, for the moment. Brit wasn’t kidding about it being private. There’s even a bed in back behind a curtain. I’m told the humans are on another flight. The plane is big enough that I haven’t seen Rowan since he went off to get food, and Christopher left somewhere without a word of explanation.
He’s been acting strangely ever since James introduced me to Brit as his girlfriend, and while I’m worried about him, I’m not sure anything I could say would make it any better.
I’ve always loved him, even if it is different from the way I feel about James, but our timelines just never seemed to line up. Now, there’s so much left unspoken and undone that I’m not sure how we’re ever going to get back to the way things were between us, if that’s even possible.
“What’s on your mind?” James asks, searching my face. “I know something’s bothering you.”
“A lot is bothering me.”
He gives me a knowing look. “You know what I mean.” He pauses. “It’s about Brit, isn’t it?”
I think of lying, but our relationship is still so delicate that I don’t want to risk anything else coming in between us. “I just can’t help but wonder,” I murmur.
“About what?” He seems genuinely confused, even though it seems perfectly obvious to me.
“She’s gorgeous,” I remind him. “I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
He hesitates. “She’s… very attractive, yes. I’m still not sure what that has to do with anything.”
“It has a lot to do with everything,” I inform him. “She’s a vampire. She understands you, and she’s obviously crazy about you. I just don’t understand why you’re not together.”
James blinks, like he legitimately wasn’t expecting that response. “Danica… Brit is just a friend,” he says firmly, making eye contact as if to emphasize the importance of his words. “Even if I had ever felt something more for her in the past, which I didn’t, that was all over when I fell in love with you. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.” He cups my cheek in his hand. “Someday, when all this is said and done, I want you to be my mate.”
My heart starts pounding again, but in a different way. “You do?”
“Of course,” he says, leaning in to kiss me. “How could I not? You’re perfect.”
That’s not a word I’ve ever considered to describe myself, but he says it with such feeling that I want to believe him. His lips meet mine again and I slip my arms around his neck. That familiar desire stirs up again. Wondering what it would be like to be his in every way.
I remember his reaction the first time we made love. I saw a hint of his true nature then, and while I once thought I would run in fear, it only made me feel closer to him. We’ve been vulnerable with each other, and I want that to continue. I want this bond between us to grow deeper, even if my feelings for Christopher have complicated things.
The door to our private section opens and I look up to see Christopher staring at us with a blank look on his face. “I’ll come back later.”
“No! Christopher,” I call, sitting up. “I’m sorry. We didn’t think you were coming back soon.”
James doesn’t go as far as apologizing, but he does say, “There’s no need for you to go.” He pauses, standing up. “Actually, maybe we both should. There’s something I wanted to talk to you about, anyway.”
“What is it?” Christopher asks.
“I’d rather talk in private.”
“Seriously?” Christopher asks, frowning.
“It won’t take long,” James says, putting a hand on Christopher’s arm to politely shoulder him through the thin sliding door that separates what would be first class from the rest of the plane. I’m left as surprised as Christopher is. What could James want to talk to him about that he doesn’t want to say in front of me?
I’m giving a shameful amount of consideration to following them and eavesdropping when Rowan comes over with a plate of food piled a foot high.
“Never knew they made shrimp this huge,” he says, flopping down on the seat across from me.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself on a trip where we’re bringing human pets to the castle for God only knows what reason,” I say, folding my arms.
“Hey, me not eating isn’t gonna change that. Egg roll?” he offers, holding one
out to me.
I sigh. “I’m not hungry.”
“Where’d your boyfriends get off to?” Rowan asks, looking around the otherwise empty car.
“Only one of them is my boyfriend.”
He gives me a doubtful look. “Okay.”
“What? I’m serious.”
“Huh. Always figured you and Christopher were secretly an item.” He smirks. “I was kind of pissed about it when I was trying to win you and all.”
My face grows hot, but there’s too much in that remark to focus on one thing. “Well, those days are over,” I say firmly. “I’m not going to be ‘won.’ But… I do appreciate you coming back for me.”
He gives a dismissive shrug. “No big deal. Wasn’t gonna let you get hitched to that old creep without knowing all the facts.”
“It is a big deal. You stuck your neck out for me and I haven’t really given you much reason to,” I admit.
He snorts. “Don’t mention it. Wouldn’t be much of an alpha if I didn’t look out for the omega who was almost my mate.”
I wouldn’t say almost, but I decide to let him have it, smiling. “You know, you’re the only one I trust to be honest with me. Do you think we actually stand a chance?”
He grimaces, tilting his hand back and forth. “Eh… I’d say fifty-fifty.”
“That’s higher than I would’ve thought,” I sigh. “I’ll take it.”
“I know the outlands like the back of my hand, but we’re in Eternus territory now,” he says, looking through the window as a distant cityscape goes by. The sky-high buildings and thick woods on all sides of the city show me why the long-defeated packs of the outlands fought so hard to keep this territory out of Eternus’ hands. “It’s all uncharted from here.”
“Yeah,” I murmur, taking in the muted colors of the sunset. We’ve already been traveling for almost a day, and there are two more to go. Somehow I feel a pull deep within that tells me the closer I get to the answers about my past, the closer I’ll get to Mace.