Reno

by Nini Church

  Reminded today was the ceremony for laying the first brick for the new hospital, Aili was likely eager to start the day. Still, he lazed in bed, insisting it would have been nice to let Rock Hard nuzzle into and enjoy Lady Bits. He regretted he hadn’t woken when she left their bed. Had she snuck away? Nah, Aili enjoyed sex even more than he did. Reno loved that and found it sexy as hell. His mate wanted him – all the fucking time.

  Wary of those inside the compound, so many with specialized skills all housed together and such a tempting delicious mix of energies – she watched from a distance. Dressed all in black, head to toe, Fate focused on only one, watching the little Healer sparkling with unused energy. Energy that Fate craved, had come to viciously need increasingly regularly. An addiction, but oh what a delicious addiction! The little Healer wouldn’t escape her grasp – Fate meant to take her next.

  Blackness dissolved, dispersing and disappearing, leaving no hint or trace of her presence.

  It was just before noon when they piled into the limousines lined up at the front door, leaving a dozen of Jericho’s warriors to guard the compound while the rest of them attended the brick laying ceremony for the first Jericho’s Hospital.

  Reno insisted on taking another fifteen warriors with them – for just in case.

  The females were dressed to the nines and the males the same – uncomfortable in their monkey suits, their ties too tight. Only for a few hours and for a good cause, none complained.

  Reno made sure everyone was armed one way or another, even their females who tucked small deadly weapons into their handbags.

  Zulu was in the worst shape as he tugged at the tie strangling him, pulling the Windsor knot sideways and shifting the collar of his shirt so nothing fit right. Before he got into the car, he tore off his suit jacket and threw it to the ground. Next, his vest disappeared, gone somewhere – his tie now long gone under the wheels of the limo.

  Matty pursed her lips and turned her back on Zulu. He would be naked if left to his own devices – that was fine with her, except they weren’t alone. A necessary factor.

  Besides, in Matty’s opinion, Zulu looked fabulous in his grey suit, muscles bulging across broad shoulders, crisp white shirt molding to his massive chest with black beaded hair flowing down his back. Yeah, she liked him in a suit, but admitted she might never see him in one again.

  The crowd was large with donors and the brick laying ceremony went off without a hitch.

  As a group, Reno and the team along with their mates stayed tight. Security was Reno’s number one priority and he meant to keep it that way.

  Aili took the time to answer questions, patiently explaining, “With the first hospital there will also be two mobile medic units…” Someone grabbed her by the hair and wrenched hard, dragging her through some kind of dimensional slip–hole. Pain seared across the back of her scalp. She felt the brush of Reno’s fingers and heard her Da’s angry roar before everything melted away and heavy gray fog swallowed her.

  Reno howled from his gut and went berserk until he stood alone with wide open space around him. Jericho eyed him, but nodded his understanding.

  Everyone experienced some form of Reno’s pain – his fiery, blasting energy and rage emanating outwards.

  In a roaring rage, Reno's words rang out. "Doombringer, I have need." His call, erupting from deep within his being, sent tremblers under their feet.

  Nothing happened.

  Reno lost no faith – he knew now as he had known as a youngster that his bond with his granddad was undeniable and had only grown stronger through the centuries. Moros Nemesis Grigor, his granddad, raised Renegade after his parent’s murder and had always been there for him. For that reason, Reno knew the old one heard his call.

  Immediately, Aili went into survival mode, glancing around the soupy fog, she pulled a slim silver metal object from her purse. A deadly Streiken star. Thankful she had chosen it and two others when Reno offered a choice of smaller weapons. Carefully, she held it loosely in one hand. Made of titanium, it was a lightweight and deadly weapon.

  Even Reno had agreed it was a good choice, but warned her not to get too close to an enemy before using it – reminding her the power of a Streiken was in the velocity of its blades when they struck home.

  If she had to get in close, he’d told Aili to gut the stomach or slash essential muscles like hamstrings or deltoids – all would partially incapacitate an enemy. She’d laughed at his macabre instructions, telling him she couldn’t be safer surrounded by him and her family, not to mention Jericho’s entire elite team.

  Aili’s heart pounded so hard against the wall of her chest it might explode. Panic settled in along with mind numbing, gut wrenching fear. What the feck was happening? Where was everyone?

  All too soon, it became evident someone else was near. Something slapped the back of her head and she pitched forward unexpectedly, hands splayed, she tottered on high heels, but managed to stay on her feet. Gray fog clung to her and she tried to step out of it as a huge black shadow loomed up in front of her.

  Aili saw Stryker’s face, her heart triple beating, eyes crossing and her world spinning. Stark raving fear overtook her. Clawing at her mind, she screamed inside, mouth wide open while trying not to fecking pass out.

  It took several seconds before she grasped the dark shadow was gone and only the gray fog remained. Was it her imagination? Her worst fear that Stryker wasn't really dead?

  Now, alone in the fog, she itched to move around, explore a little without going far, but instead stayed put, watching, waiting, and listening. From a long distance away, she clearly heard a female voice, only a garbled few words and then nothing.

  Desperately, Aili wanted to believe she imagined Stryker was here, but he was dead, Reno took care of him. Then, what had hit her head?

  Aili glanced around, realizing whatever slapped her, she lurched forward into what now felt like a different space. She noticed how the gray fog wasn’t so cloying around her anymore and breathing was easier now.

  An icy chill ran up her spine as she shook her head from side to side, denying the terrible thoughts roaming her mind. No, no, no…nooooo.

  If Stryker was, without a doubt, dead, then he’d gone into the Fade.

  Was she?

  A horrified howl ripped from Aili.

  Inside the Fade?

  Suddenly, her entire body was clammy and she felt light headed again as if there was no air left. Fear struck her heart, confusion reigned, but Aili knew. Dear god, it haunted her with bone–trembling terror – Could she truly be inside the Fade?

  Only the dead could enter. Had she been somehow killed during the brick laying ceremony for the new hospital? Was that it? Her life over way too soon. It was just getting started and Reno…

  Aili’s gut wrenching wails of grief were abruptly swallowed by gray fog.

  Fate watched the little Healer, waiting for the moment when her next victim moved further inside the Fade. Then, and only then, could she begin to draw on the Healer’s delicious life energies. It was forbidden, but Fate had already gotten away with it many times. No one noticed nor did they care – in her opinion. Yet, her sister, Destiny, would be furious if she knew, but Fate had no intention of sharing her little secret.

  The energies that she drew off those passing into the Fade invigorated her in a way never expected. She kept secret caches of those energies in safe places, some overflowing, but she couldn’t stop – she craved more.

  Fate suspected the drive for more and more energy might be part of the darkness that came over her when drawing upon those stolen energies. Her mind always clouded with it and she didn’t recall much after that. It was an oily, sticky blackness that soon passed, leaving her regenerated and stronger. So, much stronger.

  Always greedy, Fate was known to take what she wanted and like the psychopath she was – didn’t give a shit what the consequences might be for others. A simple act of stealing to gain more strength, empowering her beyond her dreams, was a magnif
icent and unexpected coup.

  Aili McFeerson’s terrified screams startled Fate and she was glad they were somewhat muffled by the cloaking gray fog. And, yet, Fate wore a wild smile – her next victim was beginning to understand. There was no mistaking the Fade when one entered it. Fate knew that well, she governed it and was tired as hell with that part of her job.

  So, she’d made it interesting and taken it a few steps farther. Now, she picked whom she wanted based on how bright their energies sparkled. Fate liked sparkles – it was a clear sign of how powerful the energy would be. Aili McFeerson stood out among others like the finest cut jewel bathed with stars and sparkling in the night.

  Swiftly, she turned her head to the side, burnt ash and soot coating the inside of her mouth. Fate slithered farther away, shocked that the stupid twit chanted protection spells. It disturbed Fate since those spells shouldn’t work inside the Fade. Disbelieving, she watched silvery threads form into strong, bold bands, wrapping her next victim in a cocoon of safety against the ravages of both her and the Fade.

  Jericho and his team gathered their females into one limo and milled around outside, frustrated, supremely pissed off and ready to rumble. The were surrounded by an outer ring of armed warriors – guns up, on point – tension was high.

  Eyes closed and head tilted to one side, Reno tuned out, focusing, honing his craft on any trail, vapor or molecule to lead him to Aili. He found the first trace and the next and shoved forward when Conn came at him, pinning his arms at his sides and Cal stepped in to reinforce Conn’s iron grip.

  Reno shot a torturous glance at Jericho, an appeal – male to male – before attempting to throw off Conn and Cal, but the big Scot held fast, bearing down with his greater weight and Cal wore a determined expression

  The air shifted without moving as Jericho's eyes twitched and Reno stilled. Zulu moved in behind Jericho as Conn and Cal released Reno and stepped away.

  Jericho motioned to those surrounding them to stand down. He knew what was coming – impending doom surrounded them – he had grown up with Reno and sat at the knee of the so called Doombringer. A fucking prick – of the First Order and First Blood – who was known to have the fairest hand in any land. True.

  Reno held his breath. Next to him, the air eddied into a dark chasm that disappeared almost instantly.

  Moros Nemesis Grigor appeared – otherwise known as The Doombringer.

  Bigger than life and legend combined – he was said to be the embodiment of night, invisible and deadly, all knowing, all seeing and everywhere. At almost seven feet tall, Moros was built like a brick shit house – muscles and might swarmed off his powerful frame.

  Dressed in black, head to toe, his leathers were padded with epaulets at shoulders and wrists and a wide black belt encompassed his waist that bore demon spells and quite a few others. An odd, yet familiar sensation came to him. Was it Fate? If it was, what the fuck was she doing here? Concerned black rimmed eyes turned on his grandson. "Renegade."

  Instantly, the big male found himself grappling with Renegade’s unusually confused and jumbled mind, but grasped one word – Mate. He quirked a corner of his harsh mouth and asked Renegade, "Yours?"

  "Yes, my mate. She disappeared right fucking beside me."

  Moros grabbed his grandson’s shoulder and shook it. "If she's yours, you’ll find her. I’m not leaving till this is resolved. Whatever you need, Renegade." He gave him a bear hug then, happy as shit Renegade had mated and that he was a highly skilled, highly prized warrior and nothing was going to stand in his grandson’s way.

  Reno quirked a brow, feeling somehow empowered, knowing he could and would find Aili. “Thanks.”

  Tears streaming, Abe got out of the car as Jericho moved in beside her – she said, "Daddio? He can help. He's dimensional."

  Finely tuned into his daughter, instantly Metatron appeared – no vortex or swirling bullshit for his entrance – and leaned down to Abe, kissing the top of her head. He ignored the gigantic male presence to turn his golden eyes onto the male Jinn, Reno. “I got time. What you got?”

  Jericho barked at the outer ring of warriors, their guns aimed directly at Metatron, his father–in–law. “Stand down. He’s one of mine.” Swiftly, gun barrels pointing up and swiveling out as one those warriors turned their backs, forming a barricade around the group. "Metatron Evergreen meet Moros Grigor."

  Met's brows rose into his golden wheat hairline. He'd never have guessed in a million fucking years – the old male's defenses were obviously incredibly tight if he could hide his essence from a God! Respectfully, Met nodded. "Well met."

  The Doombringer eyed him, his stare never straying while drilling with intensity as he tried to quickly read if Met were an opponent or not.

  He'd learn nothing for Met's defenses were ten times stronger.

  Reno broke the tension. “My mate disappeared inside our secure perimeter.” Reno’s blue eyes were tortured – a male of honor and worth, he’d do what he had to, to get her back.

  Met took it all in with one glance and felt darkness welling in his heart. An essence, a scent, a hint of something familiar lingered. Moros cleared his throat and drew his brows together, capturing Met’s attention. Moros had caught the familiar ashy, burnt odor too – Fate’s faint stench was right fucking here where Aili had been taken.

  Fate always played a damn role, sometimes twisting her hand in where it didn’t belong in Met’s estimation. What the fuck was she up to and why didn’t he know about it?

  Fate allowed this hideous and unforgiving event which started a cycle and like any vortex of disharmony, endless once begun. Met meant to cap that ugly cycle – end its existence once he found out what the fuck was going on.

  Reno was a wounded warrior without his mate and for no reason that Met could understand. Tabernack! Damnation! Fate would pay for her errant ways. He was curious about Reno – part of the Doombringer's family – a great nephew? Cousin on one side or the other? It didn’t matter, the Jinn warrior had been terribly wronged by greedy Fate who thought to take what was forbidden – anyone healthy, happy and alive.

  And yet, Fate still interfered in the natural order of events so much an integral part of the Third dimension as was time and linear structures.

  Moros shifted his chin to the side and he and Met stepped away from the others.

  From different dimensions and worlds, they knew instinctively where one was weak the other had strength. An even balance between them and one so very rare it was truly astonishing.

  Moros gave way first. "Fuck. Fate? What the fuck is going on here? Can’t fucking understand how I didn’t know before hand that she was fucking with Renegade and his mate.”

  "I was just wondering the same. How the fuck is Fate fucking with anyone and I don’t know? But, sure as shit – this has the stench of Fate all over it. She’s outta control."

  "Fucking cunt. She took one of my best not a week ago out of greed and nothing else. He could've lived, but she snatched him too soon."

  “Surely, you’re aware that when Fate and Destiny lose their balance, chaos reigns. And, I’m gonna ensure Fate takes a one star vacation to the First – okay, maybe the Second dimension – and see where her priorities land then.”

  “Keep it one fucking star in the First. Don’t go any higher. She doesn’t deserve it.” It wasn’t a suggestion – Moro’s tone was commanding.

  “I'll put an end to her fucking bullshit interference. No more."

  Moros studied Met, it only took seconds after all his centuries of battle to take the measure of any male. A single, slow nod of approval was all it took. "I'll take your word on that."

  "Done." Met took a deep gob of air. "If Reno can find Aili, we’ll have to move fast.”

  "Agreed." Solemnly, Moros’s nodded. He hadn’t missed that Met said If – If Reno can find her.

  "You keep my family safe and I'll take Reno to where I think Aili is likely be."

  "Aili?"

  “Aili McFeerson is Reno’s
mate. She’s a sweet female, a healer and a papered doctor too." Met's smile was gentle.

  Moros tilted his chin at Met as they silently continued to measure one another on a scale never used before. Both powerful beings with a high regard and respect for what they wielded.

  Met winced. “I’ll work my shit hard to help Reno any way I can.”

  His features constricted, Moros wore a horrified expression. “Move like the fucking wind then.” Under his breath, he said, “Godspeed, Renegade.”

  Jericho – on point and scanning the area – turned at the call. Deep blue eyes – colors suddenly colliding and turning them iridescent purple – landed on Moros.

  “Let’s roll, Jericho. We get everyone back to the compound and lock it down. We’ll keep all eyes on deck. I’m staying until these two return.” Moros’ dark eyes landed on his grandson – his heart pinched with pain.

  Gold dust covered Reno as he and Met faded from the Third dimension.

  The back door of one of the limos swung wide and the warriors on point shifted back swiftly as a loud bellow erupted from the backseat.

  Jericho whistled at a high pitch, signalling all his warriors to stand down – don’t touch Duke McFeerson. The big Scot was furious that due to the threat, his car had been automatically locked down with no way out until Jericho’s all clear.

  Duke hauled his big ass out of the limo, striding towards them. Duke didn’t hesitate, but stepped right up eye to eye with the huge male – as fucking tall as he was.

  No one said a word as they studied one another – Moros intimately recognized the treacherous pain of a father’s loss. Long ago, he had lost his son, Renegade’s father, and the wound within him remained as fresh as if it had happened only yesterday. Moros was well aware the loss of a child could bring down even the strongest to their fucking knees. It had almost happened to him. “I’ve been ordered to safely return everyone to the compound.”