Sleeper (Rise of the Fianna Book 1)

by Amy Brock McNew

  And why in the ever lovin' hell did she still sense Rhys, still hear that melody in her head? She glanced around in the darkness. Nothing. Why was she looking for someone part of her didn't want to see?

  Instead of answering herself, which would've proved her insanity yet again, she grabbed her phone from the passenger seat. Pulling up the number, she hit the button before what little courage she had ran away like the wolf.

  He picked up on the first ring. “Kenna?” He was out of breath and seemed out of sorts. Like he was deciding whether or not he wanted to speak to her.

  She blocked the hurt and swallowed hard. “Rhys, I need to see you.” She cleared her throat, forcing the words out. “We need to talk.”

  “Yes. We do.”

  When he didn't elaborate, she took the initiative, lifting her chin. “Will you come over tomorrow?” Needing to bring some normalcy to the situation, she blurted out, “I'll make us something to eat. You know, supper. Dinner. Whatever.”

  He inhaled quickly. That'd thrown him off. Good. She wanted him as off balance as she was. “That would be great. But you don't have to cook. I can pick something up.”

  His hesitation said he wanted to say more, but he didn't.

  She rushed her words. “No, it's okay. I don't mind. Just be there at seven. Okay?”

  “Seven.” Rhys paused. When he spoke again, nerves laced his voice. “Didn't you tell me your birthday was the day after tomorrow? Wouldn't you rather go somewhere nice to celebrate? It's early, but I'd like to treat you.”

  Her birthday. She'd forgotten. She didn't usually mark the occasion in any way. What was the point? She'd be another year older and still completely alone in the world.

  “It is, but don't worry about it. I don't usually do anything anyway.”

  He said something she couldn't make out. “If that's what you want.” His voice had an odd ring to it. Like it did every time he was hiding something from her. It almost had her second guessing her invitation. But then he continued, sounding more determined. Maybe happy even. “Tomorrow night. I'll see you then.” The silence ran on and she thought he'd hung up. “Kenna? Be safe. Watch your back. I can't─just be safe.”

  What did that mean?

  “I will. See you tomorrow.”

  Before Makenna hit the button, she heard, “Tomorrow, love,” then the line went dead.

  It was done. Tomorrow she'd have her answers. Hopefully.

  If her breaking heart and the war inside her didn't kill her first.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Blood, Tears, Dust

  Rhys dashed toward camp, his heart lighter than it'd been in the past two days.

  Makenna was willing to give him a chance.

  Maybe not a chance at being with her, though he could hope, but she’d conceded to let him explain. Hopefully, after tomorrow he'd never have to feel the emptiness of her absence again.

  Now he just had to figure out how to break it all to her.

  In his human form, he jumped over logs and dodged the murky water. He'd barely gotten away from her before the shift took over. After her call, he’d gone back to the spot where she’d been, spending a few hours basking in her scent that still clung to the air and the new hope that flared inside him.

  She'd asked him to come back to her.

  Like she knew he was the wolf she held.

  At that, Rhys slowed. The niggling doubt he couldn't shake elbowed its way to the forefront. Her eyes had been wolf, so maybe it was the wolf in her that had recognized him. The swamp, the moon and the fact it was almost full, cast a powerful spell. Maybe that was it. Maybe she'd been unable to fight the animal inside, and it had consumed her mind.

  That had to be it. He'd sensed no subterfuge, only shock and then a hesitant acceptance of what she was seeing.

  She'd called for him to come back to her.

  Rhys smiled as he sauntered into camp, refusing to consider the darker thoughts plaguing his mind. Regardless of the confusion in her human half, part of her recognized him for who he was to her. Her mate. And that part wanted him. She couldn't hide her pain at the distance between them. Couldn't hide her desire for him.

  An agonized howl ripped through the otherwise quiet night.

  A different type of satisfaction rippled through him. So the team that'd gone out tonight after their run had brought back a prisoner. Excellent. The faster they could get the information they needed on Kylian, the faster they could eradicate his menace.

  Once he had Makenna fully informed and home where she belonged.

  His smile faded as the howls cut off and Talon and Trystan emerged grim-faced from the interrogation shed. Trystan shook his head as he wiped the blood from his hands with a rag.

  Fuck. Another dead end. Another warrior so completely under Kylian's spell they refused to give up anything useful.

  Rhys dragged a hand through his hair and tried to put a lid on his rage. He motioned to Talon and Trystan, then nodded at his hut. They followed with sagging shoulders, though the weight on Talon seemed to be significantly heavier. He'd been acting strange since the incursion with Kylian's soldiers on the edge of the swamp last night. Perhaps he was getting nervous because Kylian was getting closer to discovering their hiding place. Whatever it was, Rhys intended to draw it out of him tonight.

  “Please tell me you got something. Anything.” Rhys slumped in a chair at the table. “I can't believe they wouldn't give us even a little information we could use.” More like he didn't want to believe it.

  Trystan grabbed three water bottles from the fridge and tossed two to his friends before claiming his own seat. “Nothing,” he growled. He chugged the water then threw the empty container in the bin. “It's like Kylian's got them programmed.” He eyed Rhys, a vicious light glinting in Trystan’s emerald eyes. “We're wasting our time. We need to have Bowen cast a spell, find their compound, and take them all out.”

  Talon shook his head, his brow creasing. “No. We can't. Not yet. We need more information. As it is, we're going in blind. Besides, Bowen's tried to pinpoint their location before and failed. They're heavily warded, like he's never seen.”

  Trystan tossed his chair back and paced the floor. “So we let them just keep picking us off? We've gotten lucky the past couple times and made it out with a prisoner or two. But they're getting stronger. We must strike now.”

  Talon jumped up, cutting off Trystan's path. “No! It's foolish! We could end up making things worse, getting more of us killed.” A shadow passed over his face and he gripped his chest. “Too many have died. We can't lose anymore by going in blind. We can't risk─” he slumped back in his chair. “We just can't risk it.”

  Rhys rose slowly, hands on the table as he tried to dig deeper into Talon. He was hiding something, and Rhys needed to know what it was. Talon's head shot up and barriers slammed into place around his mind. Impressive, that. Rhys raised a brow. Talon shook his head, pleading silently with Rhys to leave it be.

  Trystan either didn't notice what went on or didn't care. “What the hell is wrong with you? First you hesitate last night, letting one of Kylian's assassins escape. Now you're backing down from a fight?” He leaned into Talon's face, fire shooting from his eyes. “Going soft, Talon? Or are you turning on us?”

  As Trystan spat the words Rhys knew he didn't mean, Talon's spine went rigid. He eased back to his feet, going nose to nose with Trystan.

  “I'll forgive that. Once. But that's all you get.” Pain forgotten, the brutal warrior Rhys knew so well shown on Talon's stony countenance. His fists clenched until they popped.

  Trystan blew out a harsh breath and nodded once. “I apologize.” He stepped back. The tension didn't leave his muscles, though. “But we can't absorb any more losses. We have to strike and strike hard.”

  Rhys slapped the table. “Trystan, Talon, sit.” He put every bit of his authority into the command. They may have calmed for the moment, but each had his reasons for their anger and were both sitting on a razor's edge. Any second,
they could explode again. They needed an actual plan, not another argument.

  Trystan huffed and shook his head, but yanked his chair upright again and sat.

  Talon's eyes implored Rhys as he dropped back into his seat, shoulders slumping. “You know we can't move in yet. Not only do we not have a location, we have no idea the size of Kylian's force. Surely you see the folly in this?”

  Rhys held up a hand to silence the argument about to pop out of Trystan’s open mouth. “I do.” He sighed and dropped back into his chair as well. “We all know we'll be stronger once I get Makenna on board. After the moon in two nights, she'll be ready.”

  Gods, he hoped that was the case. If not, they were doomed.

  Trystan leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. “So you've made progress then? She's aware of her lineage and has agreed to mate?” He didn’t look happy about it. Rhys’ hope Trystan’s issue with Makenna, whatever it was, had been resolved was dashed.

  Rhys blew out a shaky breath. How did he tell them he'd almost blown it? That he had one shot tomorrow night to convince Makenna to join them, to accept what she was? Simple. He couldn't. He also couldn't tell them they'd already mated without causing an explosion of epic proportions.

  Talon sat up, hope and fear dancing across the table from him. “She's on board? I mean, did she know about us, about herself?” He seemed to want to ask something else but held back.

  Rhys would have to talk to him later and get him to come clean. He had a feeling what Talon was holding back could be key to their battle, only he didn't know why or how. He let it go for the moment, not wanting to bring it up in front of a volatile Trystan.

  “No, she's not with us yet. She doesn't know much, if anything. What she does know has her a little overwhelmed.” Trystan's hand came down, rattling the table, and Talon sat back, shoulders sagging further. Rhys held up a hand. “This is a delicate situation. She's been living among humans, raised as one of them. It'll take time to adjust to her new reality.”

  “Time we don't have,” Trystan grumbled. “And it'll take more than time.”

  Rhys' words came through gritted teeth. “I'm aware of that. More so than anyone.” He was growing weaker each hour he didn't have his mate with him. Their time was quickly running out. “I'm seeing her again tomorrow and she's agreed to let me explain.” Well, sort of. “I believe once she knows the truth, she will stand with us. With me.”

  He hoped. Gods, he hoped. That hope was all he had left.

  Trystan shook his head as he stood again. “We'll see. But if your plan doesn't work, well—let's just hope it does.” He pointed at Rhys. “And don't think me, Talon, and Amanda haven't noticed you getting weaker. We've managed to hide it from the rest of the clan, but you're walking a fine line here, brother.” A look of sympathy crossed Trystan's face. “It must be murder not being able to claim your mate. But you're going to have to soon. Maybe whether she agrees or not. Even that may not save her.” The last was grumbled, barely audible.

  Rhys could only wonder what the vague threat meant. Regardless, he didn’t like it. Or Trystan’s implication that he take Makenna without her consent.

  Growls erupted from both Talon and Rhys as they jolted to their feet. Trystan held up both hands.

  “That was too far.” He backed up, hands still raised to placate the two warriors bearing down on him. “You know me better than that. But our people are dying, Rhys. Sometimes the greater good has to come first. Just like you said about Ciarra.” He almost snarled, but pulled it back. “She has to join us. You can't fail here. If you do, we're as good as dead. And if she doesn't join us, she'll have to be put down.”

  With one last look assuring himself they wouldn't follow and pound him into a bloody puddle, Trystan turned on his heel and left.

  Talon and Rhys stood stock still, vibrating with rage.

  Talon spoke first. “You know he didn't mean it.” It sounded as though he was trying to convince himself more than Rhys.

  Rhys nodded, his blood still boiling at the very mention of violating his Kenna. Let alone Talon's mention of putting her down. But then, in essence, isn't that exactly what he'd done? He'd bitten her first, then he'd allowed her to bite him as well, knowing she could have no concept of what she was doing, what she was agreeing to.

  Forever. Becoming the most powerful being in all of creation. Being bound to him past life, past death, into the next life.

  The thought was a bucket of ice water to the rage within him. He trembled with the incessant drive to go to her, the hunger for his mate. He dropped into his chair, defeated and drained. He rested his arms on the table, dropping his aching head.

  Talon's hand warmed his shoulder. “Rhys? Is there something you need to tell me?”

  Rhys met his gaze, reinforcing the shields he'd put up around his mind, around the telltale signs of his mating. Talon's eyes widened for a second, then narrowed.

  Shit. Had Talon seen that quickly? Had Rhys let his guard slip just enough?

  “Rhys?” Talon's voice quivered. Whether with hope or fear, Rhys couldn't tell.

  “There is nothing.” He straightened and held Talon with a stare of his own. “What about you? Are you keeping something from me, brother?”

  Talon sighed as his hand slid back to his side. He turned his back on Rhys, then squared his shoulders and faced him again. A stunning change had overcome him. Gone was the uneasiness, the pain that had given him away. They were replaced with determination. And something else.

  Loyalty.

  At this point, Rhys was no longer sure if it was to him and the clan, or someone else. He'd never doubted Talon before. But something wasn't right here.

  Rhys stood and crossed his arms, leaning against the table and trying his best to appear non-threatening. “Talon, you can confide in me. We've been friends since birth. You have my word that I'm on your side.”

  He hoped that statement wouldn't prove to be a mistake.

  Agony and indecision flashed over Talon's mask for a fleeting moment. “I know. And I appreciate that faith.” He lifted his chin. “It’s nothing I can't deal with.”

  An idea was born in Rhys' mind. “Does this have anything to do with the incursion the other night? With why you hesitated?” He edged closer to Talon. “I've only heard Trystan's report, not yours. Care to enlighten me?”

  Without a flicker, Talon lied through his teeth. “There was no hesitation. The assassin simply got the better of me. I was off my game.”

  Rhys had to press, had to get to the truth. “Then why would they release you? Why not restrain you when their backup was moments away? Or is that not the way it happened?” He came within inches of Talon, arms to his sides. Ready for anything. “Or was Trystan right?”

  “He didn't see the end.” Talon maintained eye contact, not wavering in the least. “I was able to regain the upper hand. But before I could make my final move, I sensed Kylian's force moving in, so I retreated. Simple as that.”

  Oh, things were way more complicated. Rhys just couldn't for the life of him fathom why a male who'd never lied to him, who'd fought by his side, was telling tall tales now. He eyed his friend, hoping maybe he'd crack. That guilt would get the better of him.

  But no. Talon wouldn't break. Something or someone had inspired such loyalty in him that he was lying to his Alpha, his friend, his brother, to protect whatever or whomever it was.

  “I hope it's worth it.” Rhys whispered the words, his heart breaking that now he might have to keep watch over one of his dearest friends, waiting for betrayal.

  Talon's eyes flickered, then cleared. “It is. I'm doing what's best for us all, Rhys. You have to trust me. I beg of you.”

  After a minutes long standoff, Rhys nodded. Something in his gut told him he could trust the male, but to do so with caution.

  “See that you don't make me regret it.” Rhys pulled Talon into a hug. When he released him, Talon left without another word.

  Rhys collapsed on the couch, his energy de
pleted.

  The last three days had been absolute hell, being bonded with his mate yet not having her. Now, he had a friend possibly on the edge of mutiny, and forty-eight hours to convince said mate to join them.

  Or the past three days would be just the beginning of their sorrows.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  In Chains

  Makenna looked at the clock on the wall for the hundredth time as she tossed the salad again for something to do with her shaky hands.

  Five minutes until seven.

  Rhys would be here any minute.

  The now familiar melody wafted through her head. Her pulse quickened. He was close. Waiting. Waiting for what, though? Was he as nervous as she was?

  Doubtful.

  She'd barely slept after leaving the swamp last night. She'd spent the night trying to make sense of everything that was happening. Of everything she'd seen and felt in the past five days. Had it only been five days since they'd met? Seemed like longer. As if they'd known each other forever.

  Yet they didn't really know each other at all, did they?

  That was what tonight was about. They'd finally get everything out on the table, and she'd get the answers she so desperately needed. Answers Makenna wasn't sure she wanted. It was too late for that, though. The whole thing had gone way too far for her to just walk away. Even if all she wanted to do was pack up and run before Rhys got there.

  As if she'd summoned him with her thoughts, a sharp knock sounded at the door.

  She froze. Then she sucked in a deep breath and straightened her spine.

  She could do this. She had to do this.

  Ignoring the beast and all the other craziness stretching awake inside of her again at his presence, Makenna threw the door open.

  All rational thought left her. That primal being took over at the first glimpse of him and buried her doubts and fears deep under a haze of hunger and need so sharp it hurt.

  No words were spoken as she launched herself at him, and he caught her. Rhys moved them inside and kicked the door shut. He spun, slamming her against the door and taking her mouth with the same rabid desire that consumed her.