Song of Midnight Embers

by Dana Marie Bell

  “I just don’t understand why Lena, Bernadette and Arlene did this.” Greer couldn’t imagine trying to take Mina’s place. Who’d want that headache? He was happy being one of Mina’s brothers and wouldn’t want the burden placed on her on his own shoulders. He had enough to take care of. “None of them were contaminated with black blood, so they did this on their own.”

  “Are we certain Lena wasn’t? We didn’t get a chance to examine her remains.”

  Lore had a good point. “Mollie might know. She was so deep into Lena that she might have caught a whiff of something. Still, Lena wasn’t acting like someone who’d been infected. She was angry, and scared, but she didn’t seem to have that extra touch of asshole the demon-infested seem to have.”

  Lore sighed. “It would be nice to be able to tell them that this was all the fault of the Van Helsings, but we can’t do that. This was a power play, pure and simple.”

  “Bernadette never would have made alpha. Paisley would have.” Greer was certain of it. The new beta was as strong as Allan Wulfenbach had been, but Allan had Noah’s heart in a way Paisley didn’t. The dynamic between the alpha and the beta was changed forever thanks to Allan’s death.

  “Unless they planned on taking out Paisley as well.” Lore stood again, his gaze going to the door. “I feel bad for Noah.”

  “Noah’s tough. It’s the deaths of his brother and sister-in-law that are going to hurt him the most, I think.” Greer closed his eyes. “And the betrayal by his own cousin.”

  “If Iva were awake, he’d be able to take comfort in his mate, but instead it’s just going to compound his grief.” Lore sat next to Greer with a weary sigh. “I just... Fuck. The man’s been through hell. Let this be the last of it.”

  “At least for a week or two.” Greer put his chin on his hand. “We still need to figure out where the rest of the black blood is, and where Bernadette was shipping it.”

  “Something I can work on while Mollie and Noah are getting patched up.” Lore stood and squeezed Greer’s shoulder. “I’m heading over to the post office to see if I can find anything in their files, either from the lab or from Bernadette’s house. I’ll see what I can figure out from the paperwork. Call me when Mollie and Noah are settled in for the night, all right?”

  Greer stood and held out his hand. “Thanks, Lore.”

  Lore shook Greer’s hand, his grip just tight enough to feel without making it a dominance thing. “Anytime, Greer.” He walked out of the waiting room, his back straight, his stride sure.

  After checking in with Noah and seeing how much damage had been done, Greer did what he could to ease the alpha’s pain while the doctors worked. He was right, it was going to be a long, grueling healing process, but they should have him up and annoying people within the month. He found no sign of infection in the wounds, so he helped as best he could and stayed out of the doctor’s way. That Noah was already barking out orders to anyone who would listen was a good sign.

  Nothing could hold an alpha down for long, so long as there was breath in his body. Greer smiled and slipped away when his work was done, cackling under his breath when he saw Paisley rushing into the alpha’s cubicle in a full panic. The beta was about to be put through her paces.

  Greer sat back down once he reached the waiting room again. So far no one had word on his mate, and it was driving him crazy. He began to hum, reaching across the bond he shared with Mollie, giving her the strength to overcome the cold that was trying to consume her. He could feel her tugging at him, the desperation that was driving her to spark her inner fire back to life far less than it had been.

  “Mr. Berkley?”

  Greer looked up to find Dr. Radacanu standing in front of him. “Yes?”

  “Ms. Ferguson is going to be just fine.” The doctor sat across from Greer, a smile on his face. “She’s still chilled, and we’re putting fluids into her to warm her, but her temperature is coming back up at a good pace and her oxygen levels are rising nicely. I think she’s out of the woods.”

  Greer rocked back, grateful beyond belief. “Thank you. It’s a relief to hear that.”

  “We’re going to admit her for observation, but I believe she’ll be able to go home tomorrow, barring any unforeseen circumstances.”

  “Will I be able to stay with her?”

  The doctor shook his head. “I’m sorry, but unless the circumstances are extreme, we don’t allow overnight visitors. As Ms. Ferguson’s life is no longer in danger, we request that you go home once visiting hours are over.” Dr. Radacanu grimaced. “If I could change the policy for mated couples, I would, but I can’t.”

  Greer didn’t have to like it to obey the rule. “I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”

  “I’d expect nothing less. Go home, Mr. Berkley. Sit under your tree and regain your strength. I’ll see you tomorrow.” The doctor stood and headed out the door.

  Greer wasn’t going to leave without saying good-bye to Mollie. He raced toward the cubicle she’d been in and found her awake, but drowsy. “Hey, you.”

  She smiled, and it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen in his life. “Hey you back.”

  Greer kissed her pink lips. “I have to go home, but I’ll be back in the morning.”

  “You promise?”

  “I swear.”

  * * *

  “You brought me food?” Mollie sniffed at the bag Greer held out. “Oh my goddess, I think I love you.”

  The bag shook as Greer dropped it onto the table. His face turned bright red as he began to sputter. “Uh, hi to you too?”

  Mollie chuckled. She’d missed him in the night, in the dark, when the memory of Lena’s screams had taunted her. Death had been so damn easy to deal out, the lure of the elemental form enticing her to play. She hadn’t wanted to return from that form. She’d wanted to continue playing, destroying, burning until there was nothing left of her.

  Mollie never wanted to do that again. The price was worth paying to save Noah and any other targets of Lena’s ambition, but the nightmares would be with her for some time to come. The only comfort she had was Greer, and she was tired of dancing around how she felt. She wanted him to know, in case she lost herself again. “God, that smells good.” She dug into the bag and pulled out warm egg and cheese sandwiches. “Did you get me coffee?” When she looked up, he was standing there, an arrested expression on his face. “Greer?”

  He shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

  Her brows rose. “Nothing my lily-white buttocks. What was that just now?”

  Greer scowled and slurped from his huge-ass soda.

  “Greer.” She sat up, wincing a bit. Her muscles were so fucking sore it wasn’t even funny. Between throwing punches, flaming out and the cold, she was surprised she was able to move at all. It felt like she’d pulled muscles she didn’t even have. “What’s wrong?”

  “We’re looking into the address where Arlene and Bernadette were shipping the blood. If it’s a Van Helsing stronghold, I’ll probably go in to erase whatever or whoever I need to and make sure the data they’ve got is erased.” He took a deep breath. “It seems like I’ve waited for you forever, you know that?” He slid into the bed beside her. She couldn’t complain about the lack of room, not when he was so close, his breath on her lips. “I’ve loved you since high school. I didn’t want to go before making sure you knew that.”

  She’d hoped. For so long, she’d prayed he’d see her, want her. Need her the way she did him. And now he was admitting he always had, and she just couldn’t wrap her brain around it. “Really?”

  Gah. She was pretty sure only bats heard that question.

  Now he was laughing at her. “Really.” He kissed her softly, sweetly, the taste of him familiar yet so overwhelming she couldn’t let it end. She clutched his shoulders, whining when he tried to pull back.


  The kiss turned fierce, demanding. He cupped her ass and tugged her closer, letting her feel the erection he did nothing to hide. She’d pull him closer if it wasn’t for the damn IV stuck in her arm.

  When he rolled them over, careful of the tubes and wires, she promptly forgot all about where they were or what could happen if they were caught. The only thing on her mind was getting Greer inside her as soon as possible. He would warm the lingering cold spots still there, take away the nightmares that had plagued her. She opened her legs for him, allowing him to slide between, ready to—

  “Holy shit balls, guys. Time and place, you know?”

  Mollie froze, utterly mortified.

  Greer spoke against her lips, his voice muffled. “Is that Lore?”

  “I don’t know,” she whispered back. “I can’t make myself look.”

  “Be brave. Do it for both of us.”

  “You take one for the team,” she whisper-snarled back.

  “I’m standing right here, you know.” Lore’s tone was amused. “And if Mollie’s hospital gown goes a fraction of an inch higher, I’ll have to cite her for indecent exposure.”

  Greer sat up so fast she gasped. She was covered by a blanket in a nanosecond as Greer took a stance in front of her, blocking her, um, hip region from Lore’s curious gaze.

  If her cheeks got any hotter she’d probably combust again. She slid lower on the bed until the blanket covered her chin. “Um. Hi?”

  Lore shook his head. “I’d ask how you were feeling, but I think I get the idea.”

  Now the blanket was up to her nose.

  Greer merely laughed. “Hey, my love bug can inspire me even with hospital breath.”

  Hospital breath?

  Hospital breath?

  Oh, it’s goin’ down.

  Mollie sat up, shooting a quick smile at Lore. “Of course, then there was the time I was in the hospital because of Greer.”

  “Oh?” Lore shot a glance between the two of them. “How did he manage that?”

  Greer sat on her legs. “It’s nothing. Really.” He put his hand over her mouth, stopping her from telling the beef barley burn story. “I’m assuming you came here for a reason other than to find us in flagrante delicto?”

  “Damn straight.” All amusement left Lore’s face. He held out a piece of paper. “I’ve got the address.”

  Greer took it and glanced at it. “I see.”

  He’d become all business in the face of Lore’s information. He’d dropped the outer shell of Greer and become the Singer, the assassin he’d always been but rarely showed.

  “I’ve got no proof it’s a Van Helsing stronghold, but I’d be willing to bet my badge it’s at least one of their labs.”

  “Which means there could be subjects there, undergoing torture right now.” Greer nodded and stood. “I have to go now, love bug. Be good for me while I’m gone, and I’ll give you a treat when I get back.”

  “Not alone, you’re not.” She swung her legs over the bunk, wincing as the pain shuddered through her body. Fuck. There was no way she’d be able to go with him, not like this. “You’re taking Ash with you.”

  Greer helped her back into the bed, humming beneath his breath.

  Lying down, she breathed out a sigh of relief as the pain slowly dissipated. “Please, Greer.” She wasn’t above begging if she needed to. “Please take Ash?”

  He shook his head, and for a second she thought he would say no. “I promise, I won’t go alone.” Greer kissed her forehead. “Now, you promise me that you’ll go straight home and let Mina help you, all right?”

  She nodded. She’d agree to painting herself blue if she got Greer to take backup. “I promise.”

  He smiled, and she damn near melted on the spot. “Lore, can you give us a minute?”

  “Of course. I’ll meet you in the hallway.” Lore left, making sure to close the door behind him.

  Greer leaned in close, his breath a whisper against her lips. “Now, tell me.”

  Courage, Mollie. “I love you too.” She bit her lip. “I’ll come for you.”

  “Yes, you will.” The grin on his face was utterly wicked, and his gaze had become heated. “Just as soon as I get back.”

  “No.” She grabbed his face, forcing him to focus on her. “If you don’t come back, I will come for you. I’ll destroy anyone who tries to keep you from me.” She touched the mark on his shoulder as his expression changed, softening from lust to affection and a tinge of awe. “You’re mine, Greer Berkley, and don’t you forget that.”

  “Never.”

  The kiss was reverent, loving, a good-bye and a promise all rolled into one.

  “I’ll come home.” This time when he smiled, it was that cheeky expression that meant he was about to say or do something outrageous. She could probably write a book on translating his many smiles. “I wouldn’t want you to go all Human Torch on me.”

  She rolled her eyes and flicked him on the forehead. “You think you’re the only superhero in this family?”

  He laughed. “Who am I, then?”

  She tilted her head, thinking, until a name popped into her head that was damn near perfect. “Darkwing Dryad?”

  He liked that. She could tell from the amusement in his gaze. “I am the terror that flaps to the right?”

  “Exactly.” She let go of his face, allowing her arms to fall to her sides like lumps of raw meat. Damn, everything still hurt despite Greer’s singing and the pain meds. “Now. Go find your Launchpad McQuack and Gosalyn Mallard and bring them with you so I don’t worry.”

  “I would, if there were such a thing as duck shifters.” He stood, smoothing her hair back from her forehead. “I’ll call you every day I’m gone, so you know I’m all right.”

  “And if I don’t get that call?” She knew what it meant, what he was not saying, and the thought scared her to death.

  “Send in the cavalry.” He turned toward the door, only hesitating when his hand was on the knob. “Don’t forget, the demon was still after you.” He scowled. “I mean it. Stay in the Throne until I return.”

  “I already promised, but I’ll do it again.” She held up her hand. “I solemnly swear I’ll go straight to the Throne once I’m free of hospital bondage.”

  “Mm, bondage.”

  “Get out of here.” She laughed. “Love you.”

  He winked at her and opened the door. “I know.”

  He was gone before she could blink. “Stay safe for me.” She settled back down and closed her eyes. Her heart was racing, but not from his confession. She was already terrified that this would be the day she lost him forever.

  Not now. Not ever. Sitting up, she grabbed her cell phone and dialed a by-now well-known number. “Ash? Greer just left to go demon hunting...”

  Chapter Twenty

  The address Lore had managed to find was for a place in Philadelphia, a seemingly abandoned warehouse not far from the waterfront. Greer hid in the shadows, watching as lights moved around in the windows. A sign stood out front, declaring that condos would be coming soon, from the Bradley Group, LLC. A company that meant nothing to Greer, since no outside construction companies were allowed inside Maggie’s Grove without prior authorization from Dragos ensuring they were supernatural, or bonded to supernaturals.

  But the progress on the outside, and on the main floors, wasn’t entirely what was happening on the inside. Greer slid forward, eyeing the scaffolding surrounding the building. He could attempt to climb it and come in through an upper floor, but he doubted that the lab would be there. No, it was entirely possible the Van Helsings actually were building condos here, where unsuspecting people would help fund their agenda to eradicate the supernaturals. It was one of the many ways they did so, using normal methods and funneling some of their funds to the Van
Helsing organization. This Mr. Bradley had to be one of them, but whether or not he hunted himself or merely gave them money was something for Lore to look into later.

  Underneath the condos, however, would be the real work of the Van Helsings, the labs where they would do their dirty work. It was there Greer needed to go, and he needed to be as silent as possible if he was to make it in unseen and unheard.

  He’d waited for nightfall, texting Mollie from his hotel room to inform her he was going in, then turning his phone off. She had to know by now he’d come alone, and he wasn’t ready to deal with her anger.

  Technically, he could claim he hadn’t lied to her, that his tree was always with him, but even he could admit that was pure sophistry. No, he hadn’t wanted anyone else in danger. Besides, there wasn’t anyone who could do this job the way he would, not even Ash. This was an in-and-out, a murder and a theft, nothing more. Let the blood be on his hands and no one else’s. And he would have told her that, but her fearful expression when she’d begged him to bring someone along had the lie leaving his lips before he really thought it out. It was going to bite him in the ass, it was just a matter of how hard. But he couldn’t think about that, about Mollie or anything other than what he was here to do: kill Nelson Rhodes and get the information on his people back from the Van Helsings.

  When the real construction crews left and the lab rats arrived, he watched from the shadows, preparing for whatever was ahead.

  Greer had no idea what the Van Helsings were doing on the upper floors, but he would need to check it out before he descended into the basement. If he was wrong, and the lab was on the upper floors, he’d have to watch his step. He planned on going in up there, where a window was open, almost inviting him inside.

  Greer decided to go ahead and scale the scaffolding. He took his time rather than going at speed, afraid he’d accidentally set off a rattling sound of metal and wood. When a flashlight passed by a window he was near, he froze. He wasn’t illuminated, but if he moved he’d call attention to himself. He’d rather not do that. He wasn’t here to kill the lab rats.