Reno

by Nini Church

  Even the corners fucking twinkled.

  Easily, Met acknowledged her very presence made it all happen, including the golden glow around Aili. He could do it too, but had to work it up a little. For his Bethany, it came naturally, a part of her, the essence of her being, her soul, his world.

  Moros smirked, the first time he’d experienced Bethany’s healing powers, he’d been astonished too. Now, he watched Metatron, a male he didn’t know well or give a fuck if he was a God or not – slip under Bethany’s soothing spell. Many loved her for her abilities and kindness, but that wasn’t what Metatron was giving off. It was the other kind of love. Moros’ smirk stayed put.

  When Aili squeezed her hand, Thany was grateful her niece was strong enough and hopefully willful enough to remain tethered, no matter the terrible damage to her psyche. Heart soaring, Thany was full of hope for Aili was a wonderful Healer, a strong female and a fierce McFeerson with an incredible will. A wide smile graced her face and her gray eyes twinkled. “Aili is here with us now.”

  Reno solemnly took it all in and seeing Thany’s big smile confirmed what he already knew – Aili was in their here and now and that’s all he cared about. Relief swept him like a tidal wave and he crooned to her softly, his lips brushing the outer shell of her ear as he coaxed her gently, but firmly – to always stay with him.

  Esme clutched at Duke, holding onto him tightly, hope springing eternal within that her daughter would mend. Duke’s smile was wide with pleasure as he nodded at his sister.

  Met leaned deep into the wall, colors bursting before his eyes as his heart thundered so loudly he was sure everyone could hear. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen – Bethany’s simple smile of pleasure.

  She got up from the bed, moving a few steps away, dove gray eyes solemn and distracted as she sorted through possibilities. No one spoke, leaving her in peace. Aili may be tethered here, with bindings that needed repeated reinforcing over the next few hours, but that was the extent of their effort. Tethered being the key word. It wasn’t a tight enough binding to Thany’s way of thinking.

  She motioned to Rad and they conferred for a few minutes and she pointed to the empty chair beside the bed.

  Rad sat and closed his eyes, dropping deeply into himself. Thany had asked him to check Aili’s physical body and outer aura for any tearing or damage while she kept her power focused on tethering and binding Aili. Rad went what he called Micro – shrinking his entire being into one cell and lost all sense of time and space, the here and now.

  Soft dove eyes landing on Reno, she walked around to his side of the bed to place her hand on his hard shoulder. When he turned to her, Thany said, “Sing with me – Mo leannan, crae hap n’eer terra. Mo leannan, adome par oight.”

  Met nodded with satisfaction, Bethany knew exactly what to do – reach out to others to aid Aili by using a multiplied force. Uh, huh – she knew her shit.

  Reno murmured the chant, imprinting it in his mind, repeating it solemnly. He hadn’t a clue what the words meant, but he’d fucking do anything for Aili. Anything.

  Thany leaned down and shared with Reno, “It’s a love call. Soul to soul, Reno. Any essence of Aili that lingers will be drawn by your call to her. Keep repeating it.” She went to move away from the bed and turned back to Reno. “Does Aili own a white gem? With a golden rope chain?”

  Reno’s solemn blue eyes briefly touched on Met, then flicked away too fast. He’d seen Met pocket a similar gem in the storeroom they’d found Aili in.

  Thany didn’t wait for his answer, but moved back to the opposite side of the bed and lost herself in the problem of removing the mark of the Fade from Aili’s mind. Her worst fear – that part of Aili’s essence still lingered there, lost in the Fade.

  Placidly to those who silently watched, Thany seemed lost in her own thoughts, but abruptly she realized that the white gem had been flashing in the back of her mind all this time. Items able to house bits and bobs of a soul were an absolute rarity, but Thany knew they existed.

  In truth, she had hidden her reaction after asking Reno if Aili had a white gem and he had looked directly at the big son–of–a–bitch, a gorgeous son–of–a–bitch, with a body that just didn’t seem to quit.

  Oh, she knew what he was – a fecking God – and as her muscles locked, body tensing, she had an undeniable urge to scream at the top of her lungs with utter bejesus fury.

  Met couldn’t tear his eyes away from her as she stood statue still, graceful with her beautiful hands clasped in front, mind elsewhere. He called to her on many wavelengths, hoping she’d hear his silent plea, Look at me. See me.

  Finally, Bethany’s dove gray eyes landed on the imposing God and, as usual, so full of himself her fury spiked. There was no doubt he was gorgeous with a capital G.

  A fecking big G – in neon lights.

  The hazy white gem bombarded her as the image pulsed sickeningly fast, almost taking her breath away. Powerful, whatever it was.

  If the God had it, why hadn’t he offered it? Bethany’s cheeks flushed. Fool she was to assume he had any decency in him or ability to do the right thing! Never going to happen. Still, none of it showed as she introduced herself. “Bethany Mithrail.”

  Met couldn’t speak yet, so he bowed his head to the glorious female and forced words out. “Metatron Evergreen. Friends call me Met.”

  One incredulous brow slid high as she stared in utter disbelief. “Not in your wildest dreams will I ever be your friend, Evergreen. I consider your kind nothing but Devil Dogs.”

  Moros grunted his approval. The only sound in the offending silence except for Esme’s soft chanting.

  In shock and totally disbelieving, Abe’s chanting faltered as she flicked incredulous emerald eyes to Bethany. The Healer dared to confront the old man openly, challenging him – calling him flat out. Voice catching once again on Esme’s smooth chant, but in utter awe, her eyes remained riveted on Thany.

  Calebre Calipus Ex refused to even glance Met’s way as his hand snaked into his pocket. He didn’t trust leaving it anywhere, so he carried it with him. For now, he had the God Killer tucked safely in the bottom of his pocket and he was very relieved it was there as it was clear if Thany got her hands on it – she might use it against Met. Yeah, he was gonna do the down low on the God Killer.

  Devil? Dog? Metatron wanted to rage and dispute what she said, but instead turned on the charm with a megawatt smile and pheromones dripping in the air – the finest and almost invisible gold dust ever. She didn’t smile or warm to him like she should be, moseying in on closer so he could cop a feel. Who gives a fuck about anybody else in the room? He wanted this female, right here, right fucking now.

  Hell, there really was a Devil Dog angle to him ‘cause Met wanted to take what he wanted when he wanted it – and, in the end, likely bite the hand that offered it. The perfect definition of Devil Dogs. Huh.

  Didn’t stop his wanting and wanting her Now!

  Impossible, but Met’s inner beast was making demands. Fuck, how could he have no effect on this incredible and delightful female? What could he do, what did she need? Met would give it to her instantly if not sooner. By her sour expression, he knew none of his wants or needs were gonna get taken care of. Any time soon.

  The way Met ogled her made Thany’s mind up fast. He was a master at the dance of seduction and likely meant to pull his fecking shit on her. He had to go and fast. As was her style, Thany cut to the chase. “Do you have a gem? A white gem?”

  Immediately, Met bowed his head, golden mane crowding his handsome face and flowing over massively broad shoulders. “I do.” Sensitive to Bethany’s every breath not to mention her powerful and very pure presence, Met was truly thankful it was only two words. It seemed he might be regaining control.

  “Is it yours? Or does it belong to Aili? With Aili? Why do I feel it so connected with her?”

  “No. It can. I believe there’s a connection to her also.” Met stayed on his toes, no longer feeling the fool
.

  “Does it house what aer Aili may have lost in the Fade?”

  “It certainly can, but in this case, I don’t know if it does.”

  “Riddles!” Thany continued staring at Met – without seeing him. A time or two in the past, she’d been presented with what she thought to be impossible and that turned out to be quite probable. Was it possible for the gem to house..? “Can it repair the damage, return what’s missing from aer Aili? Could the stone have captured it?”

  “Again, perhaps, yes. The Star of Light has many properties. Legend has always said it chooses who owns it. There are many possibilities.”

  Ass–shite was playing games, adding more riddles and irritating Thany to no end. Nor did she see him proffering the gem. Thany was aware of the legends surrounding The Star of Light. It had disappeared centuries ago, stolen from its rightful owner and never seen again.

  Until now.

  “You must know…” Met was ready to launch into a gentle lecture about the properties of The Star of Light.

  Frustrated, Bethany cut Met off. “I do.”

  “If so, can Aili….”

  Again, she didn’t wait for him to dribble on. Feck! Wasn’t it overly obvious she hated Gods. Yeah, it was a profound and abiding distaste. Even if Metatron Evergreen was the most beautiful she’d ever encountered. “She can. She will.”

  “Are you sure?” He couldn’t help but ask. Met was thoroughly enjoying the double conversation between them – one spoken, one unspoken. He lifted his golden brows high as his eyes widened, taking her all in. Nothing in the infinite time he’d lived swept through him the way she did. That Bethany was so obviously in control and not in any way needing reinforcements to face him down – blew him away. It also boggled his mind that she dared treat him as if he were slow witted, even needy.

  Jesu and tabernack!

  Edgy and out of sorts, Met tried not to shift around or let out a frustrated roar just because he could. Move a couple of fucking walls – a building or two – in this limited Third dimension. Re–adjust some shit so his was on top and first dealt with.

  It wasn’t hard to miss, he was fifteenth fucking wheel here as Bethany’s distain wrapped around him and he felt a deep urge to babble words to defend himself, somehow show her he was different from any other. Was he? Really?

  Fucking hell! Who needed philosophical shit at a time like this? Met was in male crisis, his Bethany’s rejection beyond him.

  Metatron Mykos Evergreen. A powerful God born into his birthright and yet Bethany Mithrail, in all ways, forced him into the here and now. The Third was a rich bed of emotions, sensations and senses, all mixing together to form the fabric of this dimension. So, it was hard for him to miss the absolute hatred Bethany was casting over him.

  Thany’s wheat brows rose high as her translucent exquisite gray eyes landed on him again.

  Met had never, ever been stripped back. Not to his real truth, although he liked to think he faced it in the mirror of life each day. But yeah, fucking nada. His Bethany saw right through him and then to add insult to his wounded pride, she broke his heart by disdainfully rejecting him. How? Was? That? Fucking? Possible?

  Only answer was – Together they’d built an entirely new matrix – in mere seconds – and if he had his way, she’d stay right in the centre beside him.

  Vast possibilities of maybes and why–the–fuck–nots, endlessly roamed his mind. Evidently, anything was possible when it came to his Bethany. So very refreshing that it felt like he was digging out of the darkest of ages into a new world of light. The world of his Bethany.

  Big and powerful, he strode to Bethany, reaching out one hand, he took hers, skin sizzling he coiled The Star of Light in her palm. “Tis Aili’s now. May it heal her and her life be long. My blessings.”

  Abe’s eyebrows crowded up into her hair line. Daddio never offered his blessings. Ever. It was so rare, Abe could only recall three times in her entire life. And now, for Thany, a fourth.

  Thany waited for him to meet her eyes. She wanted to see for herself that he actually meant those words. When their eyes clashed, she bowed her head.

  Into the deeply hushed silence, Thany almost whispered, but her voice carried strong and well. “I accept whatever shade of truth you offer and your kindness to aer Aili, but hear me, Devil Dog, I will hunt you down if you’ve led us wrong.”

  Her voice echoed in chambers inside Met so long empty that it hurt. Deeply. How could she do that to him? Her presence – her insults hitting dead on target – were only a grim reminder of how alone he felt – how empty he really was. What had he ever done to make her shred his heart and toss it aside? How could he not be worthy of her?

  His gorgeous female turned away to lean over Aili and place The Star of Light around her neck. The bedroom stayed quiet as they collectively waited, desperation slowly seeping in when Aili’s eyes remained wide open, glazed and unresponsive.

  Silently Conn, Zulu and Matty slipped away with Fifi trailing behind, Elron holding her so tight she could hardly walk. They made their way downstairs to the kitchen, the heart of the house.

  His heart heavy, Moros left the bedroom with Jericho and Abe, telling them he was leaving and asking them to remind Renegade if he needed him – just call.

  When Jericho and Abe joined the others in the kitchen, the gloom deepened. It went further when Esme and Duke came in along with Met. Bethany stayed with Aili to start a new and deeper healing cycle.

  Rad stood in the doorway to the lower level, wanting to do more for Aili, but also accepting it was beyond him, beyond the limits of his healing skills. He was here to support any way he could and just being here was enough as Jericho nodded to him, and Conn offered him a hot cup of chocolate. It helped to beat the shadows back, the echoing reminder of how bad it was when things went to shit with his family, his team.

  Edgy, confused, angry and way pissed off along with tired after the first several cycles of healing Aili, Thany moved into the kitchen. She wanted a drink and something to eat. Preferably organic if they had it.

  Gloom sat over the large room as all eyes landed on her. Abe wore a watery smile, her eyes puffy from crying while Met wore a wicked smirk – too satisfied with himself – and that pissed her off more than it should. “Marmaduke, what did Mither say to us as children about gloom?”

  Duke tilted his head and grinned at his older sister. “Gloom brings doom and grinds the good to dust beneath yer feet.”

  “Everyone, Aili needs time, she’d been to hell…er, the Fade and back. She’s strong and her will is that of aer family, aer clan, powerful and driven and it’ll keep her in good stead. Let that give us hope. Aili is safe and I intend to see her healed. For myself, I mean to fake it till I make it and I suggest you all do the same.” A wide smile softened her features and Met’s heart soared.

  A few chuckles came, along with a snort or two, but the room cleared of the heavy gloom.

  A hot cup of tea and a sandwich in front of her, Thany demanded, “Now, I’m assuming we’re trying to find out how the feck Aili went into the Fade in the first place? Certainly, t’wasn’t her time. Duke?”

  Met cleared his throat – dimensional shit belonged in his sphere. “I’ve made some inquiries and took action on what I found. But, there’s still more to be done and I may need your help, Bethany.”

  Curtly, Thany nodded. “Anything for Aili.”

  Met’s lips didn’t spread into the shit–eating grin that threatened. He didn’t even smile, not wanting to reveal that his Bethany’s agreement thrilled him – and he meant to use it any way he could.

  Chapter 16

  Three Days Later

  Deep within a mound of covers, Aili flailed around, bellowing, “Rennooo. Please…noooo!”

  Reno pulled her out and gentled her into his chest as she fought him, clenched fists landing lightly against his ribs. “Scent me, baby. You love my scent. Mo leannan, I’m right here. Stay with me please.”

  Aili shook her head wildly. “
I flip in and out of reality like there’s nothing to hold on to and I can’t stop it from happening. Inside…I’m damaged somewhere. No coming back from that.”

  “Hey,” Reno hugged Aili tightly, “I’m here and you’re comin’ back. Got it?”

  “Inside I’m broken, I can feel it.” Aili closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Reno, there’s so much I want to tell you, share with you before I die. Sometimes I feel alive and then others I’m dead. Stone cold dead. So, I figure maybe I’m already dead and my brain doesn’t get it yet…” Aili’s eyes glossed over as she stared into an abyss of nothing.

  Reno shook her by the shoulders, but her head lolled around like the twins did when they were too young to control their neck muscles. He folded her in, holding her close, one big hand cupped at the back of her head and her face nuzzled into his chest.

  He died a thousand times inside, screaming for her, refusing to give in, refusing to see the truth. Tears burned the back of his eyes and his throat was clogged by the terrible emotions raging within him.

  Like Thany said, Aili just needed time. She’d called out to him, confused, but aware on some level that he was here with her. He was clutching at anything – he had to believe in something.

  Hours and hours later, Aili turned to him, chocolate eyes wide. “Reno? Is it really you?”

  He kissed her lips, her eyes, the tip of her nose as she smiled and Reno thought he had her – they had made a connection.

  In a blink, Aili’s eyes turned dull with that horrible empty glaze that frightened the shit out of him and not much ever did that to Second–in–Command.

  A chill drilled down his spine when Aili asked in a monotone, “Is any of this real?”

  “Mo leannan, come with me.” He unwound from her and got off the bed, offering a big strong hand. “Take a bath?”

  “No,” Aili shivered, shaking her head and crabbing backwards on the bed. “I don’t want this dream to end, so don’t leave me. Okay? Please, Reno.”