by Faith Gibson
“I thought he was retired from that life.”
“You never retire, War. Sometimes you lay the gavel down. Sometimes you swap out the uniform for a different one, but you never truly get too far away from who you are deep down inside.”
“Seems like you should’ve been the one to study psychology.” Warryck unlatched the flap on his saddle bag and stuck the fake diploma inside. After refastening the clasp, he crossed his arms over his chest. Sutton Lazlo had been a lot of things in his long life, but chief among them was detective for the New Houston PD back before he relocated the family to upstate New York. If his father passed leadership of the Hounds of Zeus to their oldest brother, the mission he was investigating must have gone way beyond the pale.
“What does Rory think of all this?”
“You know Mom. She’s got Sutton’s back. And from what Dad told us of this mission, the rest of us were ready to ride along with him. He convinced us he could do it alone, so he passed the presidency down to Ryker.”
He did know his mom. Aurora Rose Lazlo was a hell of a woman. She was as fierce as any of the men in their family, and that had nothing to do with the Gryphon side of her. If he wanted the MC life for his baby girl, he knew Rory would step up to help him out in a heartbeat. Since he didn’t want that life for her – since Harlow didn’t want that life for his baby girl – he turned to Vera, thus turning his back on Rory. At least that’s the way his mother saw it, and when you pissed her off, it was nearly impossible to get back in her good graces.
“Sutton always did like to do things on his own.”
“It hasn’t been an hour since you graduated, yet here you are getting ready to straddle the horse and set out on your own. I guess you come by it honest, huh?”
Warryck couldn’t miss the sadness in his brother’s voice. The two of them had been inseparable growing up. Being Gryphons meant they had to be careful who they friended, but being twins meant they had a built-in best friend. The two had been close until Warryck decided he wanted a life outside the MC. The Hounds of Zeus was more than a motorcycle club. The members were all shifters, and they were family, by blood or by choice. Not only that, but all the members were good men who lived their lives looking out for others. Warryck considered himself one of the good guys. At least he had until Harlow was taken from him. After that, all he could focus on was revenge. It was the main reason he had stayed away from Maveryck. He didn’t want to bring his twin down to his level. Then again, the Hounds never hesitated to take out the evil of the world, so would Mav be doing something different by helping War?
“You’re right. Some things never change, like my love for you. That’s the very reason I have to do this alone. I’m going to find out who is responsible, and I’m going to make them pay. I won’t have your blood on my hands should something happen.”
“I think you’re forgetting something; I’m just as powerful as you are. We’re shifters, War. Hounds of Zeus. Not the club but the chosen. If you haven’t noticed, the world has gone to shit, and we’re needed now more than ever. The humans are dead-set on destroying this world, and there’s no one else to save them from themselves but us. That’s another reason why I’m here.” Maveryck licked his fingers and crushed the cherry on his cigarette before putting the butt into the pocket of his worn jeans. “The ones you plan on going after? They’re part of the mission Dad is investigating. We know who’s responsible for Harlow’s death. They’re called the Ministry, and we want your help taking them down.”
“You should have started with that. Let’s go.” Warryck straddled his bike, but before he could start it, Maveryck grabbed his wrist.
“What about your daughter?”
“She’s fine with Lucius and Vera.”
“You’re going to leave her? Just like that?”
“Like I said, you don’t know me anymore.” Warryck pulled free from his twin’s grip, ignoring the accusing glare. Firing up his bike, he backed out of the parking space, not bothering to wait on Maveryck. It wasn’t until his twin pulled up beside him that War noticed several more bikes behind them.
“We didn’t turn our backs on you.”
“Professor Lazlo.”
“What?” Warryck blinked, focusing on the man standing next to him.
“It’s our turn.” War’s colleague and sometimes lunch partner motioned toward the front where the psychology students were waiting to be presented their awards. He’d gone on to receive his doctorate so he could teach, because after he had ridden with his family to get his revenge, War was still on the outside looking in.
Warryck made his way to the front where he spoke of things he no longer cared about and praised students he hoped he hadn’t truly failed over the last year.
Chapter Six
Kerrigan
KERRIGAN had only thought she was in hell when Agnes told her there was no alcohol allowed. Rules were a major part of living at The Sanctuary, and she found herself wanting to break every one of them. Meals were served at a set time, and she was only allowed to eat what was prepared. There were no snacks to be had just because you got hungry. The only drinks allowed were water, milk, and juice. Water was available at all hours during the day, but anything else was only available in the dining hall with meals. After breakfast, the single men went about their jobs, while the single women were assembled together for Bible study. Afterwards, Kerrigan and the others went to work, and the men had their own study group after lunch. Married couples studied together, and the children had their own area Agnes had only told Kerrigan about.
Kerrigan was never allowed to go anywhere alone. It was one of the rules Gideon had put in place for all newcomers. She knew it was so they wouldn’t attempt to run away. With a shadow, it would be harder to sneak off. When she first toured the compound with Agnes, Kerrigan had inquired about what they did for fun. Agnes let her know quickly the only thing available for downtime was reading. When Agnes showed her the library, Kerrigan laughed when she perused the titles available to be checked out. All were religious themed. Whether historical or fictional, all books were deemed wholesome. She did find it odd, though, there were no Bibles among the reading material.
After the first week, Kerrigan didn’t care if she had reading material or not. She was bone tired from working. Being new, she was considered on probation, thus given a job pulling weeds from the gardens. Maybe it was also punishment considering her ribs were still healing. Slinging drinks and working behind the bar, she was used to using her hands and being on her feet all day, but in her new job, she was down on her knees for hours at a time. Her only reprieve was she was allowed to use gloves. Her body ached, and at the end of each day, she was ready to climb onto the top bunk and crash. That, however, wasn’t allowed. She had just enough time for a shower before supper, and skipping meals wasn’t tolerated.
The next day when she entered the garden, she came across a young woman she’d never seen. The other women tended to make small talk amongst themselves, but they were ignoring the newcomer, much the way they avoided Kerrigan.
Squatting down a few feet away, Kerrigan glanced at the younger woman. Her auburn hair looked as though someone had chopped it off in a hurry. She appeared to be in her early twenties, but Kerrigan couldn’t be sure. “Hello.” She knew how it felt to be ostracized, so she opted to befriend the girl. “I’m Kerrigan.”
“Yes, I know. Word gets around pretty quick when we have someone new show up. Especially someone who...” The girl shook her head. “I’m McKenzie. My friends call me Mac. Well, they used to. I don’t have friends anymore.” With her hands still in the dirt, she turned her face to Kerrigan.
Kerrigan couldn’t help the gasp that left her lips, forgetting about the woman’s abandoned comment. A jagged scar marred the otherwise pretty face staring back at her. She wanted to ask what happened, but she didn’t want to be rude.
The girl – Mac – tentatively touched the pink mark. “Just a word of advice – don’t go into the woods.”
&nbs
p; “Are there animals out there?”
The girl looked off in the distance, and Kerrigan followed her gaze. Gideon was walking out of one of the buildings, followed by four of his guards. One of the burly men looked their way, and Mac ducked her head. “There are animals everywhere.”
Kerrigan concentrated on her own soil so she wouldn’t be chastised for talking instead of working. She didn’t want there to be any reason she and Mac were separated. Something about the younger woman called to Kerrigan. “How long have you been here?”
Mac kept her head down. “Nine years, but it seems like forever.”
“I take it you don’t like it then?” Kerrigan needed to be careful of their conversations. Then again, she didn’t really care if word got back to Gideon that she wasn’t happy. She’d tried to make that clear to anyone who would listen.
“Do you like it here?” Mac whispered, almost too low for Kerrigan to hear.
“Not at all.”
“Maybe with time, you’ll get used to it.”
Mac wasn’t wearing a wedding band, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t partnered with a man. None of the married couples wore rings, so it was hard to tell who was taken and who wasn’t.
Kerrigan braved a glance toward the men. They had stopped walking, and Gideon was focused on her. Instead of locking eyes with her captor, Kerrigan bowed her head. She didn’t want the man to single her out for any reason other than taking her away from the compound and back to civilization, but in her heart, she knew that would never happen. Kerrigan waited until the men were out of sight before she returned her focus to Mac. “I’ve never seen you before, you know, at Bible study or in the dining hall. Are you married?”
Mac bowed her head. Kerrigan thought the young woman might be praying, until she raised her head. Tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’ve been grieving the loss of my baby, and I was given a month to pull myself together. Now...” She shrugged.
“I’m so sorry, Mac.” Kerrigan reached out to comfort the young woman, but Mac pulled away. “Don’t. If they see you offering me comfort, they’ll think we’re friends.”
“And we’re not?”
“No. You don’t want to be my friend, Kerrigan. Trust me.” Mac gathered her things together. When she stood with her basket in hand, Kerrigan noticed the blood dripping from the young woman’s fingertips.
“Mac, where are your gloves?”
The young woman’s eyes were haunted. “Whores don’t get gloves.”
In the following days, Kerrigan caught sight of Mac during meals and Bible study, but she was always surrounded by a group of women. She’d wanted to talk to the young woman again. Kerrigan felt if anyone would tell her the truth of what really went on at the compound, it would be Mac.
The longer she was held prisoner, the more isolated she felt. Kerrigan tried making friends with others besides Agnes, but she could see the jealousy in each woman she spoke to. Other than Agnes, no one spoke to her, and she didn’t understand why until one night she overheard their two roommates whispering about how Gideon was paying too much attention to Kerrigan. The next morning, she pulled Agnes aside to ask her about it.
Agnes scrunched her face. “Brother Gideon has singled you out, and it’s not hard to see why.”
“Because he likes redheads who curse too much?” Kerrigan had noticed Gideon watching her on more than one occasion, but she’d chalked it up to keeping his eye on his newest flock member. Unlike the other men, he was always dressed in slacks and a button-up shirt. The men who accompanied him wore black fatigues and T-shirts. They didn’t have weapons on their person, at least none Kerrigan could see, but the way they carried themselves lent an air of military.
Agnes huffed. “One would think that would be a turnoff. Not your hair, but the way you insist on speaking what’s on your mind. Women here are supposed to be seen and not heard. Tell me, Kerrigan. What has your punishment been?”
“Punishment? I don’t—”
“Exactly. You break the rules. You curse. You wear your hair loose when it’s supposed to be braided. You don’t wear your head covering to meals. Meals which you have been late to on more than one occasion. You refuse to participate in Bible study. And still, Brother Gideon has yet to punish you for your discretions. The others have noticed, and it isn’t fair.”
“I figured weeding the gardens was my punishment. What exactly would my punishment be if he were to decide I needed it?” Kerrigan didn’t really want to know. Then again, if it was something inhumane like whippings or canings, she’d do much better about towing the line.
“Everyone who comes to The Sanctuary starts off with the less-than-desirable jobs. If you do well and abide by Gideon’s rules, you move up to better positions. Those who don’t remain where they are. As for your transgressions, he could cut your hair or withhold meals. He could forbid you from speaking to anyone for as long as he deems fit. Those are minor.”
“Compared to what? Does Gideon beat people? Does he break bones, or worse?”
“That’s another thing. You refuse to call him by his title. You disrespect him at every turn.”
“Where I come from, respect is earned. I didn’t ask to be here, Agnes. My car broke down in the middle of the night when I was running from an abusive boyfriend. You saw me when I arrived. I was trying to get to my parents. Gideon sent my parents a message telling them not to worry. Well, they should be worried. I’m being kept here against my will.”
“You can leave. He told you that.”
“Yes, but he also told me it would be on foot. He took my identification and credit cards. What little money I have isn’t enough to call an Uber even if I had a phone. I wouldn’t make it very far without those things. Instead of doing the right thing and having someone drive me to civilization, I’m stuck here in a life I don’t want. I want to go to my parents. I want to see the ocean. I want to go back to working at a bar where I’m allowed the choice of whether or not I drink. This place is nothing more than a cult, Agnes, and you’ve drowned in the Kool-Aid.”
Agnes’s eyes grew wide as she looked over Kerrigan’s shoulder. Goosebumps rose on Kerrigan’s arms. She didn’t have to turn around to know Gideon was standing behind her. She could feel his presence.
“Agnes, you are going to be late to breakfast. I’ll escort Kerrigan to the dining hall after she and I have a little chat.”
Agnes didn’t hesitate to leave their room, her eyes trained on the floor as she fled. Kerrigan turned to face Gideon, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I had hoped you would come to appreciate the simplicity of life we offer here, but I can see that hasn’t happened. And Agnes is correct in my lack of punishment where you are concerned. I have been lenient given the circumstances under which you came to be with us. Your body, as well as your mind, needed time to heal.” Gideon slid his gaze along Kerrigan’s body, and she couldn’t help but shiver. He reminded her, yet again, of Dalton in that moment. When he was once more looking at her face, he continued. “Brother Silas has assured me your outer wounds have healed. Perhaps it is time we focus on your mind.” Looking over his shoulder, Gideon said, “Take Sister Kerrigan to the inner chamber.”
“What’s the inner chamber?” she asked.
“It’s where you will spend some time in solitude, thinking about what you said to Agnes.”
One of the guards motioned for her to follow, and Kerrigan knew she didn’t have a choice. Gideon took a step back when Kerrigan walked past, but before she got out the door, he grabbed her wrist. “You could have a good life here. A really good life if you chose.” She didn’t miss the heat in his eyes or the intention of his words. She could have a good life with him. Kerrigan’s definition of good wasn’t in the same dictionary as Gideon’s. He was a handsome man; she’d give him that. But he would never convince her he wasn’t a modern-day Jim Jones or David Koresh.
Kerrigan wrenched her arm away from his grip and motioned for the guards to lead the way. She didn’t feel as brave as she
was letting on, but she refused to let Gideon see she was afraid. Everyone was already in the dining hall and didn’t see her being escorted through the compound. The guards and Gideon were the only ones who knew where she was being taken, since Agnes had been sent on to eat without her. Agnes would know something happened when Kerrigan didn’t show up to eat, but she wouldn’t know what.
The inner chamber turned out to be a ground-level dungeon. The room was vacant of any furniture. There was a metal bucket in one corner, and she had a feeling she knew what that was to be used for. An old, musty blanket was tossed into the opposite corner, but she refused to use it. The guard hadn’t shoved her into the room, but when she halted at the threshold, he did give her a nudge, but not until he leaned in and smelled her hair. That wasn’t creepy at all. When the door closed behind her, that same guard remained at the small window, his eyes raking over her body. Kerrigan walked over to the wall farthest from the door and sat down. There were no windows save the one in the door, so time was hard to keep track of without the fading sunlight guiding her senses.
As badly as she wanted to stay awake, her aching muscles convinced her otherwise, and Kerrigan lay down on the cold concrete, using her arm as a pillow. When she awoke, there was a tray on the floor next to the door. At least they weren’t starving her out. Yet. Stretching, she stood and walked over to see what had been brought. It bothered her she hadn’t heard anyone come into the room, but she’d always been a heavy sleeper. A small bowl of plain oatmeal sat alongside a glass of milk. She’d always enjoyed oatmeal at home, but she’d doctored it up with lots of brown sugar and raisins. The stuff they served at the compound was something akin to mush. Still, it was better than nothing. She ate it slowly, knowing she wouldn’t get anything else until lunch.
Her body still ached, but Kerrigan didn’t sit back down. Instead, she chose to walk around the small enclosure, attempting to loosen the muscles in her legs. She’d never wondered how inmates felt being confined in jail cells. Now, she had a feeling she knew exactly how they felt. While she circled the room, Kerrigan remembered why she was imprisoned, and she pondered Agnes’s words. Yes, Kerrigan tended to skirt the rules, but seeing how she wasn’t there of her own choosing, why should she have to obey the rules? Why did she have to fall in line with the law Gideon had set down for The Sanctuary? He’d told her she was free to leave anytime she wanted, but he knew she was at his mercy considering how far away from civilization they were.