Unforgiven (Wanderers #3)

by Jessica Miller

  We followed Josef and his friends to the back of the club. He signaled for two of his friends to come forward. The three of them stood around the door while the others kept watch. “What are they doing?” I asked. Before anyone could answer me I heard a click and the door opened.

  I looked at Josef. “It’s magically protected. You have to know the secret code to get in.”

  “What’s the secret code?”

  “Now if I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret,” he smiled. I stifled an eye roll and followed everyone else into the club.

  Inside the bass was thumping so loud it was vibrating inside my chest. “I don’t know how you’re going to find anyone in here?” Cameron said, stepping beside me. I looked around the packed club. If I didn’t know any better she would be right. It would be almost impossible to find anyone in here, but I didn’t need to see Tristan to know he was here. I knew I would be able to feel him.

  I took her hand and pulled her over to a section near the back where we would have a perfect view of the entire club. There were two floors and we entered on the top. The top floor encircled the bottom dance floor and had couches and tables set up all along the perimeter.

  As soon as we sat down Dean automatically went to the bar. I tried not to let him bother me and concentrated on scanning the dance area. I stood near the railing by our table while my eyes searched everywhere. I closed my eyes hoping maybe I could get a feeling for him, but I got nothing. I told myself not to get discouraged. As I looked around I noticed the club was exactly how Josie had described it – slutty chic. The girls were dressed in what looked like very expensive hooker wear. As for the men’s choice of clothes, they ranged anywhere from suits to casual wear. The men in suits had taken up most of the private areas which came complete with your own waitress. You could tell they had money to spend and weren’t shy about throwing it around.

  There were girls here who looked barely sixteen that were throwing themselves at the men in the private areas. My stomach churned at the sight of it and I wanted so badly to do something, but I had to remember not to bring attention to myself. I let out a sigh and looked out onto the dance floor again. “Here,” Josie said, taking a spot next to me and handing me a glass. I looked at her wearily. “Don’t worry. It’s just soda.”

  “You really think he’d come here?” I asked, taking the glass from her.

  “Well,” she drew out the word. “You knew how Tristan was before he met you and from what Josef and his friends have told me a lot of ‘high society’ as they call them, come here.”

  “High society, what is that supposed to mean?”

  Josie gave me a look saying she didn’t want to really explain it. “Ella, think about it,” she said softly.

  I let out a breath. I knew exactly what she meant. I just didn’t want to admit it. She was right. This was definitely the type of place he would come to. They catered to the rich and there were tons of women here who would do pretty much anything if you waved a few dollars at them. Not to mention both Billy and Caleb had said this was a place he used to frequent. Once again I felt my stomach churning. Josie gripped my arm sensing my uneasiness. “Hey, that was Tristan then. He’s not the same person now. Okay?”

  I nodded, closed my eyes, and took a breath. She was right. That was a different Tristan that came here. Not the one I fell in love with. “Why don’t we sit down for a bit?” When I didn’t budge she said, “It’s early yet. You know how Tristan liked to make an entrance.” I let her pull me down into one of the chairs.

  I had a hard time sitting still. I couldn’t stop fidgeting. I kept having this feeling that something wasn’t right. “Are you okay?” Josef asked.

  “Fine.” I lied.

  “You don’t look fine,” he said, looking at my shaking leg.

  I crossed my leg over the other to help the shaking. “Sorry, I’m just…anxious I guess.”

  “Maybe you should have a drink to take the edge off,” he offered.

  “I prefer to have a clear head.”

  “Do you want to dance?”

  “I…uh…”

  “Come on Ella. We’ll all go,” Cameron said, pulling me out of my seat and not giving me much of a choice. Dean and a few of Josef’s friends stayed behind while the rest of us headed down to the dance floor. I kept my eyes open, looking in every direction hoping to see any clue of Tristan. I wasn’t in the mood to dance, but I thought maybe being down on the floor would give me a better outlook.

  The girls mixed in with the crowd, dancing like it was any other night out at a club. I just focused on my surroundings. My eyes searched everywhere while I dodged excited flailing limbs. “Look Ella, you’re not going to find him if you keep looking for him,” Josie said.

  “What?” I did not understand anything she just said.

  “You know how they say you always find what you’re looking for when you stop looking.” I nodded. “Ella, it’s the first night. I know you want to find him, but you have to understand he’s not just going to fall into your lap. It might take us days before we even get a clue. So while we’re here please just try to enjoy yourself the best you can. Hello, we are in Ireland.”

  I took a couple deep breaths and tried to relax. Billy told us he was going to walk around and see if he could find out any information. I think he more or less just wanted an excuse to get away so Josie wouldn’t make him dance.

  I was forced into the middle of the dance floor to engage with the rest of crowd. Josie gave me an exaggerated smile trying to get me to give her one back. I complied but still had a hard time trying to settle my unease. I couldn’t get rid of this feeling in the pit of my stomach that something was off about this place.

  Josie and Cameron started to twist me back and forth forcing me to dance. To make matters worse Josie and Cameron started to bust out some old school 80’s moves. They looked so ridiculous I couldn’t help but laugh. Finally able to loosen up a bit, I joined them with some creative moves of my own. “I hate to tell you, but I think your moves are a little outdated,” Josef said, joining us on the dance floor.

  “We’re just having fun, come on.” I pulled him in between all of us. “Show us what you got.”

  For a young kid he ended up having some pretty good moves. I was actually starting to have a good time goofing around with them. I would still look over my shoulder every now and then and search the crowd, but I saw nothing. Then I remembered what Josie had said about finding him when I stopped looking. So that’s what I did. I put my full attention on my friend’s ridiculous moves.

  Shortly after, the music started to slow down so Josie and Cameron went to go get something to drink. I started to follow them when Josef stopped me. “Do you w-wanna dance?” he stuttered.

  I figured, what the hell, and turned back around to dance with him. I put my arms around his neck while still keeping my distance. I knew Josef had a thing for me. Ms. Kraft’s spell to block everyone’s thought was slowly wearing off so every now and then I would catch random things people were thinking. I didn’t want to do anything to lead him on. So I kept the dancing to a minimum with friendly conversation. “How you come to live with your grandparents?”

  “My parents died when I was little so my grandparents took me in.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I can only imagine how hard that must have been for you.”

  “It’s better than lying in a ditch on drugs.” I think he was attempting a joke, but I wasn’t quite sure so I didn’t say anything. “Relax. It’s okay. It happened a long time ago,” he said, giving me a small smile. I returned it with one of my own. “Can I ask you something?” I nodded. “Why are you looking for Tristan? I mean no offense, but he’s an ass and I can’t remember the last time he was actually serious about anybody. I mean the advice he used to give me would make any girl cringe and let’s not forget –”

  I stopped him there. “Josef. I know Tristan is your cousin and I know how he is or used to be, but he’s different now.”

  “I’ve he
ard girls say that before too.”

  “Well you can trust me when I say I am not one of those girls.”

  “Now that I could actually believe,” he smiled. “You really think he’s still alive? I mean how can you be so sure?”

  “I just know he is. I believe it in here,” I said, putting my hand over my heart. “Don’t you?” He shrugged. “You know you remind me a lot of him.” He stiffened and his eyes slightly narrowed. “That was a compliment.”

  “Some might think differently.” I was about to say something when he got the strangest look on his face.

  I pulled back. “Josef, what’s the matter?” I started to get that feeling in my stomach again. He didn’t move. He barely even flinched. “What is it? What’s wrong?” I asked again.

  “I think we have some party crashers,” he said.

  “What?” I turned in the direction of his eyes. Spread out along the railing were a few men wearing long, black coats, standing, and staring out into the crowd. My gut told me they were not here for the cocktails. I turned back around to ask Josef who they were when I saw more of them surrounding the other side.

  “Something tells me these guys aren’t good news. I think we should go.”

  I was just as confused as he was. Then it hit me. He knew. My father knew where I was and sent these men here to come get me. “They’re here for me,” I said.

  “What?” he looked at me confused. “They’re here for you?”

  “I don’t have time to explain. We need to go now.” He grabbed my arm and started to pull me off the dance floor. I looked back in time to see the men notice my hasty exit. I stopped and pulled my arm from Josef. “Ella, what are you doing?” I let Josef pull me away right as one of the men pointed in my direction. Suddenly everywhere I looked there was a man in a black coat. Josef kept trying to pull me through the crowd, but I couldn’t move. There was no way we were getting out of there. I thought quickly, closed my eyes, and focused. I pulled strength from deep down and willed my powers to use everything I had to create a shield, hoping to protect us from anyone who got in our way.

  Well that’s what I tried to do. When I threw my hands up, the force of my shield was so powerful, all the men on the balcony flew back into the wall. Windows broke and glass shattered everywhere. The people on the dance floor fell to the ground cowering, scared from the blast.

  And then there was chaos.

  Crap.

  I just stood there and stared at my hands, amazed at what just happened. I heard people calling my name but it sounded like a far off echo. “That was…unbelievable,” Josef said, tearing me from my daze. My eyes quickly searched the top floor for my friends. Billy leapt from the top of the balcony down to the floor. I blinked and Josie was before me.

  “Ella, come on,” she said, pulling me.

  “Wait! Where are Cameron and Dean?”

  “Ella, I have Cameron. Get the hell out of there!” Dean projected to me. Knowing that Dean and Cameron were safe I let Josie pull me out.

  We had a tough time getting through the crowd with everyone running in different directions and scrambling to get to safety. The men in black coats were now making their way through the dance floor. One got a hold of Billy and I turned quickly throwing out my hand and his attacker flew across the room. “Nicely done,” Billy said as he grabbed me and started to shove me toward the exit. More men in black blocked our way and soon we would be surrounded. There was only one way we were going to make it out of there. We’re going to have to fight our way out.

  Billy was attacked by two men. I turned around to help him and was face to face with one of them. I struck first not waiting for him to get the upper hand. My attack took him by surprise. I guess he thought someone like me would not be able to defend themself. He quickly recovered and came at me full force. I was able to knock him out and moved to help Billy. These men were strong and trained well, but thankfully we managed to break away.

  We made it outside without any more interference. “What the hell is going on!?!” Josie asked.

  “My father, that’s what’s going on,” I growled.

  “Your father?” Josef asked a little breathless.

  “Short version…not really supposed to be here.”

  “Come on, we need to go,” Josie said, tugging on my arm.

  “What’s the quickest way out of here?” I asked Josef.

  “This way,” he said as the door swung open and people began to pour out. I was knocked away from my friends. “Ella!” I turned in the direction of his voice and froze. In front of me was one of my father’s men. I tried using my powers to throw him into the crowd but they weren’t working.

  “What the hell?”

  He smiled and came after me. I attacked. It was hard fighting in this damn dress and I was losing. “Billy!” I shrieked.

  Billy pushed his way through the crowd and ripped the guy away from me. “Josie now!” he yelled.

  “What?”

  Before I knew it she grabbed me and then we were no longer in the alley. I blinked and we came crashing down on the floor of our hotel room. I sat up slowly, my head was spinning and I was seeing dark spots. “Sorry, I never done that before with another person,” Josie admitted.

  I went to stand on weak legs only to fall back down and then throw up in the nearest trash can. “Uh yeah, I probably should have warned you it can be a little disorienting until you get used to it.”

  “You also need to work on sticking your landing,” I grumbled before I passed out.

  Chapter Four

  When I finally came to, I had a pounding headache and my ankle was throbbing. I was lying on the bed in our hotel room. I sat up slowly and looked around the room. Josie and Cameron were curled up on the other bed and Dean and Billy sat around the table discussing something intently.

  “Hey, you’re awake,” Dean said, turning his attention to me. I swung my legs off the side of the bed and tried to stand up. I fell back as soon as I put pressure on my ankle. “Careful,” Dean said, catching me, and helping me back on the bed. “I think you might have sprained your ankle.”

  “Great, just great – more like Josie sprained my ankle,” I thought.

  “I’ll get you some ice,” Billy said, leaving the room.

  I looked at Dean. “Okay, so what the hell happened tonight?”

  The look on his face told me he was afraid to tell me. “I think dad knows where we are,” he said, sitting next to me on the bed.

  “Then where is he?” I asked, pissed that he would go to all that trouble just to catch us.

  “I don’t know, but I think this was a warning.”

  “A warning for what?”

  “That he means business and if we don’t come home soon this could get ugly.”

  “It already got ugly. Seriously, someone could have got hurt because of those people.”

  “Ella, I think you did more damage than they did.”

  I stifled an eye roll. “That was an accident.”

  “Accident or not you definitely brought attention to us.”

  “So now what do we do?”

  “We lay low for a while.” I opened my mouth to protest but Dean stopped me. “Ella, dad knows how powerful you are and once he hears about this incident I’m sure he’ll be on the first flight out here.”

  I got up slowly and hobbled my way over to my bag and started packing. “What are you doing?” Dean asked.

  “We’re getting out of here,” I said.

  “And where are we going to go?”

  “To another hotel.”

  He got up and stopped me. “Ella, that doesn’t matter. Where ever we go he will find us.”

  “You don’t know that for sure and I’m not gonna sit around and wait to find out. You can stay here if you want but I’m not going to let him get me.” He sighed and let me go. He knew when I meant business and there was no use in arguing with me.

  “I think I have an idea of where you can go where he won’t find you,” Josef said,
making me forget he was even there. “You guys can come stay with us,” he suggested.

  “Josef, we can’t do that.”

  “I insist and so would my grandparents.” I looked at him doubtful. “Trust me, it’s the safest place you can be right now and he won’t find you there.”

  I thought it over for a moment. He might actually be right. My dad wouldn’t expect us to know anyone there so he would think we would be staying at a hotel. “Okay, yes. We’ll come stay with you, but this is only temporary.”

  “Of course,” he said with a slight smile.

  I woke up Josie and Cameron and told them to pack their things. “What’s going on?” Josie asked groggily.

  “I’ll explain on the way,” I told her. She didn’t ask any questions. She just grabbed her things and stuffed them into her bag. Billy came back with ice. One look at us and he knew something was up. “Get your things,” was all I said.

  Once we were all packed up, we headed down to the car. Billy gave me a piggyback to help keep pressure off of my ankle. Then we loaded into the car and set off to Josef’s house.

  Josef told his grandfather that we needed a place to crash for a while with no further explanation. Caleb didn’t ask any questions as to why we showed up in the middle of the night. Instead he helped us get situated and told us we were welcome to stay as long as we needed. I smiled at him graciously while Billy and Dean collected our things from the car. Caleb told us we could sleep in Josef’s room and the boys could sleep on the couches. I didn’t argue. I was too tired at the moment and my ankle was killing me.

  Josef showed us to his room and handed us some clean sheets and blankets. Then he returned with an ice pack for my ankle. “Thank you,” I told him. “For everything.”

  “It’s no problem,” he smiled bashfully.

  “Okay, well, goodnight then,” I said, closing the door.

  I needed sleep and to get out of this horrible dress. The moment I unzipped it I could finely breathe. I slipped into some pajamas and then crawled into the tiny bed with Josie and Cameron who were already asleep. The second I closed my eyes there was a knock on the door. “Ella?” Billy whispered.