by R L Medina
His eyes opened, and he turned his head toward me. “Yes.”
My heart pounded against my ribs. “Where is he? Do you know where he is?”
The shifter trembled. “No. There were too many of us. Some stayed behind.”
“Behind in Sonoma?”
He groaned and winced. “Water. Please.”
“I’ll get you some, I promise. But you have to tell me where he is. Did he stay behind?”
“I don’t know. I can’t remember anything before.”
“Before what?”
His gaze fell on me. The regret and misery I saw written there rattled me. It was too raw. Too human.
“Before the blood.”
A shudder ran down my spine. “What do you mean?”
“Water.” He croaked.
I nodded. “Okay. I’ll get you some, but when I come back, I want answers.”
He stared back at me. Realizing he wasn’t going to respond, I turned away to get him a drink. My footsteps pounding up the stairs. Could Lucian hear them? I paused at the door and cracked it open.
No one was there.
Opening it wider, I stepped out and headed for the kitchen. My mind raced as I hunted for a cup. Much to my surprise, fancy dishware filled the cupboards. What was Rafael doing with all of it? They sure weren’t using it. At least not for their late-night pizza parties.
I shrugged. Maybe they saved them for special occasions. Grabbing a glass, I turned toward the fridge to fill it up.
Lucian was standing there, arms folded across his chest.
I jumped, nearly dropping the cup. “You scared me! What are you doing sneaking up on me like that?”
He grunted. “What are you doing?”
My face reddened under his glare. “Just getting some water.”
I hesitated before moving past him. His eyes drilled into my back. The sound of the water pouring into the glass broke the silence.
“Did you want some?” I glanced back at him.
He scowled. “No.”
“Well, you don’t have to be rude about it,” I muttered.
Pulling the cup away, I turned back toward him and flushed. Why was he still standing there?
His eyes narrowed.
Feeling like an idiot, I put the glass to my lips and pretended to sip.
“You’re not drinking it.”
Heat spread up my neck. I pulled the cup away. “Yes, I am.”
I took a drink.
“I guess I’ll take this back to my room now.” I nodded at him.
He grunted. “What about the shifter?”
My heart skipped. “Huh?”
His eyes narrowed to slits. I wasn’t fooling him.
“I think you should finish your interrogation.” He waved me forward.
I gaped at him, face aflame. “What? I don’t know what…”
Yeah, he knew.
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
He shrugged. “Wanted to see if he gives you the same answers.”
Was he listening to me the whole time? I flushed. And there I was thinking I was being sneaky. I snorted. How could Grayson think I’d make a good GRIMM? My heart twisted at the memory. Those blue-gray eyes flashing in my mind.
“Well?” Lucian’s rough voice snapped me out of it.
“Yeah, fine.”
I gripped the sword in one hand and the water in the other and turned to go back to the shifter. Careful not to spill the water, I slowed. Lucian followed.
“Uh… it’s probably better if you aren’t there. You know, so he’ll talk to me.”
His gaze turned steely.
Irritation filled me. Now wasn’t the time for him to get stubborn. I needed answers and no one, not even Lucian, was going to stop me from getting them.
He walked in front of me to hold the door open for me. I went through first, hoping he’d change his mind and leave.
He didn’t.
Ignoring his hulky presence, I focused my energy on the shifter. His eyes were closed, his body so still, it looked like he was dead.
“Here.” I moved closer with his water.
His head turned to me, his eyes blinking open. “Water?”
“Yeah.”
I held the cup up to his mouth with my left hand, trying to maneuver it to get it to pour without making a huge mess all over him. Lucian stood behind me and I was acutely aware of his gaze following me.
The water spilled out over the shifter’s mouth and down his face, making me cringe. He drank it slow. His Adam’s apple in his neck moved with each gulp, the sound echoing loudly in the room.
When the cup was empty, I set it down on the table by his feet. They were bare, clawed, and bloodied. I recoiled, heart thrumming wildly.
My eyes met Lucian’s. He watched me as if curious to see what I’d do. Not wanting him to know how freaked I was, I tossed my head and moved to stand near the shifter’s head once more.
“Do you remember anything about Manny?”
He stared up at the ceiling, unmoving. “Only that I know him, but I don’t really remember how or why.”
“How many of you are there? Working with the witches, I mean?”
His brow furrowed. “I don’t know. A lot.”
Lucian snorted.
I frowned at him. Not helpful.
“Why are you working for Luna Negra?”
The shifter’s body trembled. “They promised us a place by their side in the new order.”
New order? Lucian and I exchanged looks. That sounded like the premise of every villain story I’d ever heard. Did the GRIMMs know what was going on? All the shifter attacks in the city… were they just the beginning?
A chill settled in my bones. If the coven could break into the prison and attack us right out front of the academy gate, what would they do next and why did they still care about me if they were planning a war? What did I have to do with their evil plans?
Pushing away the dark thoughts, I eyed the shifter. “And the vampires?”
He turned his head toward me. “They have their part.”
“Which is what?”
“Their blood makes us stronger. Faster. Better.”
Lucian scowled. “What are you talking about? Vampire blood is toxic to shifters.”
He wheezed. “Not this. Not anymore.”
“How did the coven convince the vampires to give their blood?” He pressed.
“I’ve said enough.”
Frustration welled inside me. There were more questions than answers and now he wasn’t going to tell us more?
Lucian stepped forward. “Answer her questions.”
The threat in his voice was chilling.
“What does it matter now? You’ll never let me go and the others aren’t coming for me. I’m just collateral in their war.”
Collateral. A lick of anger curled in my chest. Is that what Papi was too or was that kill personal—because the witches wanted me?
Before he could say more, the door swung open. I jumped. Rafael appeared at the top of the stairs, eyes narrowed on us.
Lucian stiffened. The shifter stilled, fear lighting his eyes.
I squeezed my sword as the wolf descended. Not that I could stop him even with my weapon.
“Lucian.” His voice deepened.
“Raf.”
My breath hitched. What was the alpha going to do? I glanced at Lucian. I didn’t mean to get him in trouble.
“I’ll see you both upstairs.” He stood, waiting for us to move.
I glanced at the shifter, whose eyes were clenched shut. My heart sank. I’d barely started with my questions. There was so much more to learn. Were they going to kill him?
Lucian motioned me out first. I hesitated, not wanting to lose my chance for answers. What did Rafael care that we were talking to the shifter? It wasn’t like his torturing worked.
“Rose.” Rafael’s voice was low.
Sighing, I followed them upstairs, glancing back once more before the door shut. Maybe I
could sneak back in later. Get more answers.
As soon as we stepped into the room, Rafael was on us.
His eyes darted between us. “Leave the shifter to me.”
I bristled. “Why? He was talking to us. Don’t you want answers?”
Rafael smiled mirthlessly. “I’ve heard enough.”
Anger built inside me. “You can’t kill him. I still have questions.”
And I couldn’t stomach the idea of them hurting the shifter no matter what he’d done under the influence of the witches. Hadn’t he been through enough?
“I’m sure you do, but I won’t risk my pack for you to sort out your past.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Do you think the witches just set him loose after you?” His eyes flickered to Lucian. “That they don’t have a link to him and the rest of their pets?”
Fear crawled up my spine. Did they?
“I will deal with our prisoner. Without your help.” His voice hardened.
“What are you going to do to him?”
Rafael sniffed. “What do you care? You’re a GRIMM.”
My fist clenched. “He has answers about my dad’s killer and the witches.”
“And what? You think you can plot some sort of revenge?” He scoffed.
“Isn’t that what you want for your father?”
His face turned thunderous.
“We won’t question him any further,” Lucian interrupted, stepping forward.
I glared at him. Rafael nodded and turned on his heel. I watched him go, heat rushing across my face at the unfairness. They weren’t going to let me near the shifter now.
His words echoed in my mind. Did the witches have a mental link with the shifters? Is that how they knew where I was?
Lucian started to move away.
I frowned at him. “Where are you going?”
He didn’t answer. The jerk.
“What am I supposed to do stuck here all day?” I called after him.
“Don’t care. Just stay away from the shifter and me.”
Ass.
“Well, when is Michael coming back? or the others?”
Lucian glanced back at me. “Later.”
I snorted. “That’s so helpful. Thanks, Lucian.”
He shrugged and turned away, muttering something about ‘babysitting’ under his breath.
My lip curled. I didn’t need a babysitter. With nothing else left to do, I grabbed a bag of chips and soda from the kitchen and plopped myself down on the couch in front of the TV. My mind raced with questions making it hard to concentrate on the show. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t get the shifter out of my head. I needed those answers, but I’d be an idiot to cross Rafael.
8
It was nearly dinner time when the others returned, bringing enough Chinese food to feed a small army. Lucian and Rafael didn’t join, but more pack members showed, Nadia being one of them. She scowled at me but kept her distance.
I ate my noodles in silence, happy to be just a spectator as the wolves joked and bragged about their activities. Unlike the others, Michael sat quietly, a lost look on his face. Curiosity burned within me, but I didn’t want to ask him about his errands in front of the others. Scenarios played out in my mind. What kind of ‘errands’ did Rafael send his guys out on? Something told me it wasn’t to get groceries.
Time went by fast and soon it was time to get ready for the club. Not owning anything remotely like ‘clubwear’ I borrowed a dress from one of the wolves. A tight, mid-length, black one that made me look much older. At least it had pockets. Not being one to walk well in heels, I opted for my black boots. The combination was odd, but given my current lifestyle, running for my life seemed a likely scenario.
We took two cars into LA since not all of us could squeeze bulky muscles into one. I rode with Lucian, Michael, and Mateo while Leo and Rafael drove a few of the other wolves. The rest of the pack promised to meet us there later.
The moon was high and the street quiet as I piled in after the others. Excitement stirred within me at the thought of finally seeing the city. Or at least the LA nightlife scene. Would I be the only human there at the club? Would it be safe?
I felt safe with my entourage of muscly werewolves, but I brought my sword along too, just in case. Though the thing had been useless since I’d arrived. Had the enchantments worn off?
My riding companions were quiet and serious, and I almost wished I’d gone with the party car instead. Their silence made me wary. I didn’t want to freak out about the witch and Luna Negra. I just wanted to pretend things were normal, but their graveness wasn’t helping.
“So, what exactly do you guys do at the club?” I broke the tension.
Michael and Mateo exchanged glances and Lucian grunted. I waited.
“Security mostly,” Michael answered.
Mateo nodded in agreement. Lucian grunted again.
“So, like bouncers? Do you get paid for that?”
They glanced at each other again as if debating how much they should be telling me. Judging by their cars and clothes, they weren’t hurting for cash, but did they actually pay their own way or did all of it belong collectively to the pack?
“It’s part of our duty as Raf’s pack leaders. He pays us though.” Michael finally answered.
Lucian’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. They were narrowed in suspicion. Didn’t like me asking questions? I scoffed. It wasn’t like I could go to the GRIMMs and turn them in, and they had to be aware of what was going on, anyway. From what I understood, it didn’t matter what the extraordinaire did in their own circles as long as it didn’t break the GRIMM law by hurting ordinaires or exposing them to their existence. Although if the normal humans couldn’t see through the veil, I didn’t see how they could find out about all the creatures sharing a planet with them.
The car fell quiet once more, everyone lost in their own thoughts. Questions plagued me. What if this mysterious witch couldn’t help me? What if she was tied with Luna Negra? It could be a trap. Should I contact Javi or the others?
I dismissed the questions, a dull ache spreading in my head. One thing to worry about at a time.
If the witch couldn’t help me, I’d just find another who could. Somebody had to know where to find this wizard. If not the wolves, then maybe someone else my mom was close to. The only problem was, I had no idea who that would be.
“Do you know who we’re meeting? The witch?”
Mateo nodded. “Probably Cleo. She’s a rogue witch and Raf’s informant for witch activity around LA.”
Rogue witch? I liked the sound of that. Did that mean she was loyal only to herself and didn’t have a coven to control her? That didn’t sound so bad. Not bad at all.
We rode the rest of the way in silence except for the occasional question or comment I made. Whatever was on their mind, it was obvious, they weren’t going to share it with me. An hour later and we were sitting in the infamous LA traffic.
I pressed my face against the window to take in all the sights. Bright city lights flashed, the road filled with cars. Street noises surrounded us, stirring excitement in me. I watched as we passed tall buildings and crowded streets.
The city was nothing like Malibu. It was lively and eclectic. Old mixed with new. There was a buzz and an energy I could feel from the car.
We made a turn away from the hustle and bustle, the streetlights dimmer and the buildings more spaced out. My nose scrunched as I stared at the old shops and rundown apartments. Is this what people meant when they called a place seedy?
“Here we are. El Palacio,” Mateo announced.
“This?”
They looked at me, but I was still staring out at the shuttered building. Graffiti streaked across the paint-stripped stucco. The words were written in a language I couldn’t decipher, but given the locale, it was probably safe to assume they weren’t greeting us with well wishes.
“Doesn’t look like a palace. Looks more like a dump,” I mu
ttered.
“Just wait until you get inside.” Michael smiled.
I gave him a skeptical look and glanced back at the dilapidated building. Glamoured? It was the perfect disguise for a werewolf night club. How many of them would be in there?
Fighting off the waves of worry, I followed the others out of the car and steeled myself.
I can do this.
“You’ll take her in through the back, Michael,” Lucian commanded.
Michael nodded in obedience. Matteo, not waiting for an order, strode toward the front with Lucian close behind.
“The sword, Michael,” Lucian called back.
The wolf stiffened beside me. “I know, Lucian.”
My eyes narrowed at their little exchange. What did they want with my sword?
Michael turned to me. “I need your sword, Rose. Just until we get you to the back room.”
“Um. Why?”
He sighed. “A human with a giant glowing sword? That screams GRIMM and that’s the last thing we want in the club. It’s too dangerous.”
My fingers curled around the hilt. Silly as it was, I didn’t want to give up my sword. I’d grown comfortable with it. It made me feel safer, like I was in control despite the fact that my life was a hot bowl of chaos.
“I promise, you’ll get it back as soon as we’re inside.”
Before I could change my mind, I thrust the weapon toward him. He nodded and winced as the metal touched his hand.
“What was that?”
“It’s enchanted. Stings when I touch it.”
My eyebrow arched. “Just you or any… extraordinaire?”
He slid the blade into a holder and shrugged. “Probably anyone that’s not human.”
I blinked at him. It was hard to think of Michael as a werewolf. When he wasn’t covered in fur and sporting claws like wolverine, he was more human than some people I’d known. My tía’s words came back to me. My mom didn’t agree with the GRIMM’s harsh treatment of the extraordinaires. Is that what caused her betrayal? But why the coven and if what Rafael said about her killing his father was true, then she’d become just as evil as the GRIMM.
“Ready?” Michael’s eyes roamed over me.
His protectiveness reminded me of Javi. I looked away, stomach clenching, and nodded. Thinking about my cousin now wouldn’t be helpful. I needed to figure this out on my own. Keep him and the others out of danger and trouble.