“He’s fine,” Rafael whispered. “We must get to the other house now.”
I nodded, keeping close to Rafael as we walked up the front steps of the house. He pressed his ear to the door, touched a finger to his lips, and then opened the door.
We stood together, unmoving and silent, and listened for sounds from inside. After a few minutes it became apparent we were alone. Rafael quietly closed the door while I dropped the dome.
“No one is here,” I said after a moment, reaching out with my mind. “It’s empty.”
“They’re all next door,” Rafael said, peering through the window. “Aric’s arrival is probably big news. Not only is he an alum, he’s also the son of the highest-ranking wolf politician in the state. That’s big for these kids.”
“Yeah, but what if they know?” I walked through the house, barely glancing at the gaudy posters on the walls. “What if they know the entire story about what happened right before graduation? What if they know Aric turned against the bulk of the pack – even killing a lot of them?”
“They probably do know,” Rafael answered, opening a closet and peering inside. “Ugh. Does anyone ever clean this dump?”
I ignored the disgusted look on his face and headed toward a set of stairs that I knew led to the basement. Will’s room had been down here when we dated. It had been twenty years since he lived here, but I still felt his odd presence. Perhaps because I associated him with the first time I set foot in this house. Aric was the only wolf I ever truly loved, but Will was the first wolf I met.
“Let’s check downstairs,” I instructed, keeping my voice low.
Rafael pressed himself close to my back as we descended the stairs, his protective instincts on full alert. The basement was dim, the same as I remembered from two decades past, and the hallway was lined with bedrooms. To our right, instead of another bedroom, I found a small recreation room with a television sitting in the middle of the floor.
It wasn’t the room itself that caught my attention. It was the framed photographs on the wall. There were at least fifty of them arranged in some form of strange memorial.
“Oh, my … .”
“Son of a … .” Rafael cocked his head to the side as he peered closely at the center photo. It was Will. “This is not safe,” he said, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward the stairs. “This is a trap.”
“But … why?” I couldn’t wrap my head around the memorial. “What’s happening?”
“This fraternity worships the dead ones,” Rafael seethed. “They do it openly. That means they not only know who Aric is, they also know what he’s done.”
My heart sank. “They’re going to kill him.”
Rafael hit the top of the stairs at a dead run. “Not if we get to him first.”
And that’s when I heard Aric howl, a fierce pain crashing through my chest. It wasn’t my pain. It wasn’t my anguish. It was his.
“Aric’s in trouble,” I gritted out, gripping the doorframe at the top of the stairs to steady myself. “He needs us.”
“Then let’s go,” Rafael growled, swiveling toward the side door that opened facing the bigger house. “I’m in the mood for a fight. I believe this is just what the mage ordered.”
Sixteen
I tamped down my terror and barreled out the side door, internally smirking when the two wolves standing on the front porch of the nearby house widened their eyes in surprise. I quickly lashed out with my magic, slamming them into the vinyl siding and enjoying the sick crunching sound their heads made upon contact.
Rafael barely blinked as he launched himself at the door, giving the two limp bodies a minor glance. “Are they dead?”
“Yes. I don’t give warnings any longer.”
“That’s probably smart.”
Rafael tugged at the handle, but it was locked. “Move back. I shall kick it in.”
I used my hip to shove him out of the way. “That won’t be necessary.”
Rafael’s eyes widened as I summoned my magic and blew the door in, the jamb splintering as the wood shredded into pieces and scattered. I stepped into the living area, scanning the assembled faces with grim detachment.
Aric was pressed against the wall, his side bleeding and sweat pouring down his face as one of the wolves held a hot poker to his flank. My temper flared when I realized what was about to happen – perhaps for a second time – and I shot out a red tendril of burning magic, wrapping it around the boy’s throat as I slammed him into the wall.
“I’ll kindly thank you to unhand my husband,” I seethed.
“Zoe,” Aric gritted out, tumbling forward and catching himself on the couch. “They’re all in on it. They’ve all amassed for … something.”
“We figured that out in the other house,” Rafael said, keeping his eyes on the wolves as he moved to Aric. He didn’t think twice about leaving me with my anger to help my wounded husband. “They have a memorial set up in the basement. They revere the dead wolves.”
“They were patriots,” the boy wrapped in my magic screeched, his hands clawing at the magic rope around his neck. He couldn’t displace it. “They were murdered by their own kind, and that shall be avenged.”
“Oh, something is definitely going to be avenged,” I intoned, briefly shifting my eyes to Aric as Rafael helped him away from the group of wolves. There had to be at least twenty of them in the room, and they all regarded me with hatred and fury. “I think you’ll find I’ll be the one doling out vengeance tonight.”
“Let it be, Zoe,” Aric said, his hand shaky as he reached for me. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll leave and … .”
I shook my head to cut him off. “It matters. Remember what we talked about. Remember what we agreed upon.”
Aric looked conflicted as he stared at the younger wolves. “At least try to get answers out of them first.”
“Ask the questions,” I instructed.
Aric grunted as he tried to remain steady and take his place by my side. That made me realize he was injured much worse than I initially thought.
“What did they do?” I pawed at Aric’s bloody side as he tried to grab my wrist and stop me. One of the wolves to my left thought he could take advantage of the distraction and move closer, but I lashed out with rage and snapped his neck, ripping his head to the side and briefly meeting his glazed gaze as he toppled.
A murmur went through the other wolves. While I couldn’t make out what they said I could feel the emotions rippling through the room. It was fear that fueled them now. Good.
I almost sobbed when I saw the gaping wound in Aric’s side. The wolf with the poker stabbed him before beginning the torture. “Oh, baby … .”
“It’s okay.” Aric clenched his jaw. “I’ll be okay.”
I didn’t bother pointing out that I already knew that. Instead I carefully rested my fingers close to the wound and pulsed my soothing blue healing magic into him. Aric pressed his eyes shut as I worked, sighing when the pain subsided and he could grab my hand without crying.
“It’s okay, Zoe,” Aric whispered. “It’s done. I’m better.”
I bit my bottom lip and nodded, taking a steadying breath before focusing on the current problem. “Ask them your questions.”
“We won’t answer a thing,” the trapped wolf bellowed. “We’re true and loyal!”
He was really starting to bug me, so I smacked him with a second dose of magic, steeling myself for the inevitable scream as his skin opened in the exact spot where Aric bled only moments before.
“She’s killing me!”
“Oh, I haven’t even begun the killing,” I threatened, lowering my voice to a dangerous hiss. “When I start, you’ll know it.”
“Gareth, look at me,” Aric ordered, moving from behind the couch and closer to the writhing boy. “What were you hoping to accomplish tonight?”
“I shall not answer.”
Oh, well, this was becoming tedious. I sent out another magic bolt, this one burrowing into his thigh and caus
ing him to burn from the inside out.
“Oh, help me!” Gareth screamed for his brethren to join together and attack. Instead they rushed away from him and toward the exits.
“That’s not going to happen,” I said, opening the small door in my head where I kept The Archimage power trapped and reinforcing the doors and windows of the house so the boys couldn’t escape. “You’re all stuck with me now.”
Aric looked grim as he spared me a glance before focusing on Gareth a second time. “What were you hoping to accomplish tonight?” he repeated.
“We were supposed to kill you,” one of the other wolves, a timid-looking blond boy with green eyes and shaking hands offered. “We were ordered to kill you.”
“Shut up, David!” Gareth barked. “Do not talk to the devils.”
I rolled my eyes at Gareth’s dramatic order. “Who ordered you to do it, David?” I asked, forcing the boy’s eyes to me. “Who ordered you to kill Aric?”
“Gareth did,” David answered.
“Yes, but someone ordered him.”
“I don’t know who.” David looked lost and afraid. “We were told an enemy was on our turf and we had to eradicate it. We thought he was alone. We were warned about you and told not to attack if you were present. We had no idea you were here.”
“Yes, well, that was by design.” I licked my lips as I regarded Aric. “Do you want to keep torturing him or can I kill him?”
Gareth’s eyes widened, my blasé attitude catching him off guard. “You cannot kill me! I am forever!”
“Shut up.” I whipped out another magic lash and smacked him across the face, enjoying the way he whimpered. “We can’t leave him alive.”
Aric looked uncertain as he scanned the room. Some of the fraternity members remained defiant, but others looked absolutely terrified. “We can’t kill them all,” Aric said after a moment. “We need someone to spread our message.”
He had a point. “Okay.” I studied each face in turn. “David, you can take those five boys over there … the two by the kitchen door … um … the one to your left and the two hiding behind that recliner over there through the front door.”
David appeared surprised by the suggestion. “Just like that?”
I nodded. “You answered my questions and didn’t attack. This is your reward.”
“I … thank you.” David didn’t waste time hurrying toward the door as I mentally flicked the lock so it would open. The terrified young man paused as his friends fled through the opening. “What about the others?”
“They’re dying here today,” I replied, refusing to mince words. “Tell whoever it is controlling you that this is only the beginning. I’m not messing around this time.”
“But … .”
“Don’t push me, David,” I growled. “I gave you a gift. Don’t send it back, because I won’t give you a second one.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I swallowed my distaste at being called “ma’am” a second time in the same day and waited until I was sure David was gone before releasing Gareth. He slumped to the floor, the remaining wolves joining in a slow growl as they moved to stand by his side.
“Okay, well, that’s handled, huh?” I feigned a bright smile as I ushered Aric and Rafael toward the door. “We’re going to be leaving now. I’d appreciate it if you guys didn’t scream too loud once we move on to the next step of tonight’s festivities. I don’t want you frightening the normal students.”
Gareth gaped as Rafael walked out of the house and Aric paused in the doorframe to wait for me. “You can’t do this.”
“It’s already done.”
I offered Gareth a small wave and walked out of the house, linking my fingers with Aric’s as we descended the porch steps. Aric cast me a confused look, as if waiting for me to finish things. He didn’t have to wait long.
I pressed my eyes shut, letting the power build, and then shoved a huge ball of fire at the house, causing it to explode in flames. The trapped wolves screamed louder than I would’ve liked, howling for what felt like a long time before the raging fire consumed them.
I held it together as we walked down the sidewalk in silence, feeding on the power until it almost completely emptied me. I managed to cling to consciousness even as my brain overloaded due to the sights, sounds and clamoring power. Aric caught me as my knees buckled, swinging me into his arms as he grappled to hold me upright.
“Zoe!”
I was already gone.
I WOKE to find a concerned-looking Aric sitting on the edge of the bed in the apartment. He held my hand and stared out the window, seemingly oblivious to the partying students as he took refuge in his own private world.
He sensed me stirring, swiveling quickly to lock gazes with me. “Are you okay?”
I opened my mouth to answer before I realized how dry my mouth was. My throat screamed for water. I coughed out an answer, watching as Aric scurried to the nightstand to retrieve a bottle of water. He opened it, holding it steady as I chugged the contents. He grabbed a second bottle before I could ask, and I finished that off, too.
I gasped for breath as I tried to center myself, leaning into Aric as he stroked the back of my head. “What time is it?” As far as opening lines go, it wasn’t my best offering.
“It’s almost midnight, baby.” Aric brushed his lips against my forehead, a relieved sigh eking out. “You scared me.”
“I’m sorry. I … don’t know what happened.”
“I do,” Aric muttered. “You expelled a crap ton of magic saving me while running on adrenalin and rage. You could’ve killed yourself letting loose with that much magic.”
I wanted to argue, but I wasn’t sure he was wrong. “I’m sorry. It got away from me.”
“It didn’t get away from you.” Aric smoothed my hair and rocked back and forth. “You knew exactly what you were doing. The only thing that got away from you was your temper.”
“Yes, well, that’s hardly a surprise.” I rubbed my forehead as I leaned against him. “Where’s Sami?”
“She’s asleep on the couch. She wanted to be in here with you, but I didn’t think it was a good idea. I wanted you to sleep. She put up a fight, but Rafael promised to answer however many questions she could ask. He’s out there now.”
“Is she still asking questions?”
Aric managed a raw chuckle. “No. She passed out from sheer exhaustion about an hour ago. She’ll be all over you tomorrow morning, though. We had to tell Paris and Kelsey what happened before they would leave, and Sami was massively impressed.”
“Yes, well, she is my daughter.”
“She’s definitely your daughter.” Aric kissed my hair as he rocked me. “I’ve been monitoring the news. “Twelve boys died in that fire. The newscasters are calling it a tragedy. I’m sure it will be deemed an accident. There’s no way David and the others will tell the cops what really happened.”
“Mostly because no one would believe them.”
“There is that, but they’d have to own up to trying to kill me during questioning,” Aric added.
“Do you think I did the right thing?” The question was hard for me to ask. I saw Aric’s face right before I did it, the uncertainty lining his eyes. He looked as if he wanted to argue in the second before I released the fireball. He never got the chance.
“I think you did what you had to do,” Aric answered after a few moments of contemplation. “You always do what you have to do. I don’t want you second-guessing yourself.”
“Are you second guessing me?”
“Oh, good, deep questions.”
I mustered a wan smile as I rested my head against his chest. “We needed to send a message. They were expecting us. You should’ve seen that memorial in the basement. Will was at the center of it. They’ve martyred him.”
“Which means they don’t understand what happened back then. Someone is controlling them. You had to leave some of them alive to spread the word that we weren’t messing around. You definitely di
d that.”
“I picked the survivors by looking at their faces,” I admitted. “I let the frightened ones go and killed the braver kids.”
“That was probably smart.”
“I hope so.”
Aric was gentle as he rolled me on top of him and reclined on the bed, drawing the comforter over us and pressing a series of soft kisses to my forehead. “Baby, I need you to be more careful next time. You did the right thing tonight – and I’m grateful you ran to my rescue – but you could’ve drained yourself.”
“We’re not even sure that’s possible,” I argued. “I could have unlimited power.”
“You passed out because you were drained,” Aric challenged. “Don’t bother denying it.”
“Fine.” I stifled a yawn. “I was drained. Next time I’ll dole out the magic in moderation.”
“Next time we’ll plot out a course of action before things spiral out of control,” Aric corrected. “I can’t lose you, Zoe. I need you to understand that. Watching you fall the way you did tonight … it gutted me.” He choked out the words as he fought back tears.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
Aric tilted my chin up so we could lock gazes, the only light filtering through the window from the moon. “I’m so afraid that one day you’ll deplete yourself protecting Sami and me. If that happens, I won’t survive. I will not make it without you.”
He was so earnest I didn’t bother putting up a fight, even though I knew he would make it should the worst happen. He’d have no choice. He’d have to take care of Sami.
“You don’t have to worry about that,” I said, mustering a mischievous smile. “I think far too much of myself to die.”
Aric managed a strangled laugh as he tightened his arms around me. “That’s what I’m counting on.”
“Then keep counting on it. I won’t leave you if I can help it. I promise. I’ll be more careful.”
“You’d better be,” Aric whispered into my hair. “There is no me without you.”
I felt the same way about him.
Dying Covenant: The Complete Series Page 67