by Storm Savage
“Hey! Flame is on our side. I think you better leave now.”
Cooper shook his head vehemently then reached behind his back. Flame saw a flash of light bounce off the wall.
“No!” she screamed and made a mad dash toward them. Before she could stop him, the brawny man plunged a long knife into Raef’s gut. “Nooo!” She lunged at Cooper, reaching for his arm but he brought it down again and drove the blade straight into Raef’s heart. He gasped and fell to the floor.
She dropped to her knees and pulled him into her arms. “What the hell is wrong with you? He was your friend!”
He stared at her, bushy brows furrowed over cold eyes. “Ian was my friend. You killed him. I can’t kill you but I can kill this asshole for lying to me. And I just did.” He turned abruptly and marched down the walk.
Flame panted for breath. Every nerve in her body wanted to chase Cooper down and drive both daggers through his black heart, but Raef was fading fast. He needed help and he needed it now.
“Oh my god, baby, hang on,” she cried, then gently laid his head on the floor before racing up the stairs for her cell phone. By the time she returned to Raef she’d dialed 911 for help. “Raef, Raef…don’t you leave me. Not now, not like this.” She knelt on the floor, eased his upper body onto her lap, and cradled his head while applying pressure to the wounds.
Blood pooled on the floor and oozed from under his body. “No, no, no…stay with me. I need you. Please…stay with me.” She rocked back and forth gently while sobbing. “Raef…open your eyes…please.”
And for a moment, he forced his eyes open and stared up at her.
“I do love you. I didn’t say it, but I love you, Raef, I really do. I’ve loved you since the day we met, too.”
A strained smile touched his lips before his eyes closed again.
“No!” she wailed.
Flashing lights appeared at the curb. Paramedics rushed into the house with a gurney. “Miss, you have to let us help, let go of him, please,” one of the medics coaxed.
“You have to save him.” She backed off and watched, horrorstricken, as they worked frantically to save Raef.
“Stab wounds to chest and stomach. BP is ninety over forty and dropping. Pulse thready,” one man spoke into his radio. “ETA ten minutes.”
She stared in what felt like a surreal haze as they hooked him up to IV lines and monitors at impressive speed then lifted his body onto the stretcher and wheeled him to the waiting ambulance.
“I’m coming with him.”
“Are you family?”
“Yes,” she replied without a thought.
They permitted her access. She sat on a hard bench inside the back as the medics tended to Raef, who was now fully unconscious. Panic seized her, making her throat dry and her muscles ache. The ten-minute ride to the county hospital was the longest ride of her life. Once inside, a team of doctors rushed to his side and took over. From there Raef was taken from her sight into an operating room. She tried to follow but nurses pulled her back.
“You can’t go in there,” one nurse said. “They’re doing everything they can. Come to the waiting room.”
Flame slunk into a padded chair. She had nobody to call and nothing to do but wait. His life was out of her hands. The feeling of helplessness settled over her as an icy chill. Raef had no family. His parents were gone and he was an only child. She didn’t know if he had aunts or uncles. They’d never really talked about extended family.
Minutes dragged into hours as she waited in agony for any news from the medical staff. Nobody was talking and it scared the hell out of her. Why did Coop do this? His actions were insane. He led a respectable biker group and never once showed signs of rage toward his pack members. She simply could not grasp why their senior leader attacked without provocation. It was almost as if he’d come looking for a fight. But why? A flood of questions deluged her bleary mind.
Many hours later, a doctor approached. He looked exhausted. His surgical gown was stained with blood and his mask hung at his neck. His expression indicated the news was not good. Flame tried to brace herself but failed to find the strength. She stood on shaky legs as the surgeon drew near. He quietly motioned for her to follow. They walked down a corridor and into a small room. He closed the door behind them.
“Tell me he is okay,” she demanded. “Tell me you saved Raef.”
“His injuries were extensive. The artery to his heart was severed. We performed an arterial graft and stopped the bleeding in his stomach, but there was so much damage to the heart that we could not get the hemorrhaging under control.”
“So what are you saying? Is he on life support? Are they still working on him?”
The doctor gave a slow shake of his head. “I’m sorry. We did everything in our power but it just wasn’t enough. He didn’t make it.”
His words hit her like ice. She blinked in shock then shook her head. “No, that can’t be. He had a future…with me. We shared a destiny. He isn’t gone. You have to keep trying.”
“Please, I know this is impossible to bear, but your husband is gone.”
“Husband?”
“Raef had a brief moment of consciousness when he was calling out for his wife. You are Flame, aren’t you?”
“Y-yes,” she sobbed. “What did he say?”
“He asked to see his wife Flame before we put him under. We had no time to waste. Again, I am very sorry.”
She watched the surgeon walk away. Her feet felt like concrete. She couldn’t move.
A nurse entered the room. “Would you like a few moments alone with your husband?”
Flame managed a nod. They walked slowly down a long hallway then into a cold room. Raef was lying on a metal table, covered to his neck by a white sheet.
“Take all the time you need.” The nurse placed a gentle hand on her shoulder before leaving.
Flame stood over him at his head, staring down in utter despair. Tears streamed down her face. “Raef…why did this happen? You can’t be gone, you just can’t be.” She leaned over and cradled his head in her arms. “You weren’t supposed to leave me.” Her sobbing took control and her body shook. “You wanted to marry me. How can I go on without you? I have no one else. I needed you to help me through this. Please…come back.” She wept uncontrollably, hugging him to her body, rocking back and forth.
Time inched by as she held his lifeless body and cried the hardest tears she’d ever known. She’d never lost anyone close to her. Her parents were gone before she passed infanthood. No siblings, cousins, only a daughter she’d never seen—she felt suddenly and unbearably alone. The pain was unreal.
She kept thinking if she focused hard enough that life would return to his body, but as the minutes merged into hours and his skin grew colder, she realized that he had left her. Emptiness filled her heart where only this morning Raef had filled it with his genuine love—something she’d never known before him.
Unable to hold it together anymore, she just lost it.
A nurse must’ve heard her uncontrollable wailing. She entered the room. “The coroner is here, hon’, you’ll need to let him go now.”
Flame had no idea how long she’d been there. “No…I can’t.”
“Please, he’s in a better place now.” Her voice was kind and soft. “I need to prepare his body.”
Two orderlies walked quietly to her side. “Come with us, miss.”
“No! I can’t leave him! No, no, no! He’s all I have!” she screamed through her sobs. They began firmly leading her away. “No! Raef…no, you have to come back! No, no, no. Let go of me! I can help him. I have to save him.” Flame crumpled to a quivering mess on the floor. When she glanced up, everyone around her had tears in their eyes.
“Let us walk you out,” one of the orderlies coaxed and lifted her off the floor with gentle hands.
“Please,” she begged. “Let me kiss him goodbye.”
They nodded and released her.
Now all she had left was heartache and
rage. She placed a soft lingering kiss on his chilled lips. Her tears fell upon his face. Her body shuddered from sobs as she drew a ragged breath and lifted her head just a little. She couldn’t bear the thought of leaving because it meant letting go. She didn’t know how to move forward but deep inside realized that somehow she must find the strength to do so.
Her lips touched his once more in a tender goodbye kiss. “I’ll get him, baby,” she whispered. “Mark my words, Cooper O’Toole will die.”
Chapter Four
Flame stood at the curb outside of the hospital—just staring into the darkness. She’d spent the entire day and most of the evening hoping for a miracle that never came. Raef was gone. Her body felt numb from crying for hours on end. Her heart felt cold and empty, void of feeling. She didn’t know where to go.
“You look like hell. Do you need a ride?” His voice was unusually gentle.
“I didn’t even hear or see you pull up.” She stared blankly at his gleaming black Harley.
“Hm, another perk of my new life.”
“Can you bring him back? Your master brought you back. Can you get him to bring Raef back?”
Von gazed at her with sad eyes. “I heard about your friend. You may not believe this, but I am truly sorry for your loss. I liked him.”
She tilted her head. “For some reason I do believe you. You could’ve killed him on the beach that night but you didn’t. Why?”
“Because I knew you loved him. I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
“But you’re from the Twilight Realm. Why are you being nice to me?”
“Everything is not as it seems, sugar. Now how about taking a ride with me?”
“You didn’t answer me. Can you bring him back?” Her voice sounded as cold and removed as she felt.
A pensive expression flitted through his eyes. “That’s not what you want.”
“Don’t tell me what I want! I just lost the only person who ever loved me. The only man I ever loved. Don’t assume you know what I want.”
“You’re in shock. You don’t know what you’re asking.”
“I want Raef back. Can you do it? That’s all I want to know. Can you do it?”
He gave a slight nod. “I could make a deal but the stakes are high.”
“For who?”
“Everyone. The Twilight Master calls in favors. Your boyfriend would not be the same man if you make a deal with the devil to bring him back. He would be in debt and I don’t think you want that.”
Flame hung her head and sobbed. “I don’t know where to go. For the first time in my life I feel lost.”
“What about your secret society of warriors? Can’t you stay with them?”
She glared at him, drawing her lips together tightly. “Don’t even try to fish information out of me.”
“You know what and who I am. I know who you are and what you have to offer. Let’s not play games.”
“Why are you here? You told me the next time we met you wouldn’t be a gentleman. Yet here you are, pretending to be a caring friend. I might be numb with grief but I am not stupid. You have no feelings. You only seek to fulfill your mission…a fight you lost the first time.”
He arched one brow in a casual manner. “You’re half right. I did have other intentions for the second time we crossed paths.” He sighed. “But when I saw you…I didn’t have the heart to mess with your head. Don’t ask me why. I haven’t felt anything in decades. I have no idea why I feel sorry for you now.”
“I don’t need your pity. I need revenge.”
“On who?”
“The bastard who killed Raef. He barged into the house and knifed him without provocation. He just became number one of my list of targets.” She shot him a warning look. “Which dropped you down to second. Must be your lucky day.”
“I’m flattered.”
She scowled at him. “Don’t be. Once Cooper O’Toole is dead, I’ll be gunning for you. This war has only begun. Did your evil master bring more creepers back along with you?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot, you work for the evil side. Get lost.” She turned and started to walk up the street.
He followed alongside on his bike. “Did you say Coop took out Jackson?”
“Yeah and stop following me. I can walk back to Raef’s for my bike.”
“Let me give you a ride. We need to talk.”
She stopped in her tracks and glanced his way. “About what?”
“We just struck a common bond.”
“Lies, more lies. You’re trying to trick me.”
“What if I’m not? You know how this war works. One of us must win.” He grabbed her arm. “Do you think it will be you?”
Their eyes met and locked. Rage and sorrow bubbled in her soul. His intriguing eyes drew her in. She spied something in there that warranted a closer look. Is it possible that his humanity is beginning to show? She recalled what the Lioness had said about making Von feel again and that by using a human’s body to bring him back the evil realm instilled a sense of humanity in him. What is Von’s story? Could this be the tiny window of opportunity? If so, then Raef’s death would not be entirely in vain if her intense sorrow had evoked feelings in Von. Regardless, that didn’t ease her pain. Still, if anything good could come from this senseless act of violence, then perhaps I shouldn’t ignore the possibility.
At that moment, she longed for a sign, anything to reveal a glimmer of hope. She gazed up at the night sky. Raef…where are you? Did you hear me when I said that I love you? Tears welled in her eyes again, making them burn. Von released his hold on her arm and she could feel him staring at her.
“He knows.”
“What?” She turned her gaze toward him with a sharp turn of her head.
“Jackson, he heard you. He knows that you love him.”
Flame gasped, pressing a hand over her heart. “How did you do that?”
“I don’t know. I am in between worlds. I guess he can speak to me. He hasn’t crossed over yet. He’s trapped in the void.”
“Why?” A wave of heartache deluged her again. To think that Raef was not at peace burned her soul.
Von closed his eyes and those long black lashes touched his high cheekbones. “Your boyfriend is unable to move on until the score is settled.”
“Why would he talk to you? He knows you walk in darkness.”
“Like I said all is not as it seems.”
“You’re making this up.”
“Believe what you want. I might be a lot of things but I’m not a liar.” He kicked his bike into gear. “Raef said something about a horse, your mother’s horse? He said Paloma carries the key.” Von revved his bike. The engine growled as he prepared to ride.
“Wait!”
He stopped and half-turned his head. “What?”
“Maybe we should talk.” She knew without a doubt that nobody could know about her mother’s mare. Even Raef hadn’t known, as she’d not told him during their visit to Celestial Village. This had to be the sign she needed to move forward. For reasons she failed to understand, Raef chose to communicate with Von. Maybe because he’s immortal and the only connection available, either way, I have to follow this lead. “Can you give me a ride back to his house?”
“Hop on.”
She swung her leg over the back and settled her butt into the passenger seat of his Softail. Von’s unexpected connection to Raef brought a strange sense of comfort. If Raef trusted him enough to send a message, then maybe there was still hope for Von’s soul. Maybe he can be saved. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his back, trying to reach into his soul and touch whatever part of him had touched Raef. Tears stung her cheeks as the wind whipped her hair around her face. They flew down the highway at a high rate of speed. The pleasing scent of leather from his jacket combined with his natural masculine aura swirled around her and eased some of the grief. She began to find uncanny comfort in his presence.
Th
ey rumbled into the drive of Raef’s home as the moon peaked in the sky. She slid off the back and drew a deep breath. “I don’t know if I can do this.” Her motorcycle appeared untouched and the house was dark and quiet. It didn’t look like anyone had been around since the medics had taken Raef.
She stopped at the edge of the sidewalk and thought surely that the place would be crawling with cops. Where’s the yellow tape? Why isn’t anyone here? Something doesn’t feel right. Of course it doesn’t feel right. None of this is right! Raef has been killed. None of this makes sense. Where are the cops?
“Do you want me to stick around?” He cut the engine.
Eerie quiet surrounded her. “Strangely…yes. Will you come inside with me?”
He parked his bike and dismounted. She’d forgotten how tall and impressive he was until just now.
He looked down into her eyes. “Yeah.”
They walked toward the house slowly with her leading the way. The door was unlocked so she pushed it open. The pungent stench of stale blood made her wince. She glanced at the floor and saw Raef’s blood still there.
Von cast a guarded look around. “There’s a strange aura in this house.”
“What do you mean?”
“Something powerful.” He shrugged as if to rid an uninvited chill. “Innocent blood.”
She studied him briefly then shifted her attention back to the floor. “I have to clean this up.” In robotic manner, she went to the kitchen and retrieved cleanser and paper towels, then knelt in the foyer and began scrubbing. “So much blood…Raef’s blood.” She started to cry again, then sat back on her knees and sobbed uncontrollably. “This is wrong. This should not have happened. Why did Coop do this?”
“Hey…” Von knelt beside her, wrapping strong arms around her. “He’s not a nice man.”
Flame allowed him to hold her as she wept and her body trembled. Her thoughts flashed back to another night long ago, a sudden déjà vu ensued. Von had been there for her then, before she knew anything about the Satellite. And on that dark night of pain, he’d held her and comforted her as she cried bitter tears. Later he’d taken her away until Hatch and Coop’s biker gang found them on the highway. Back then, she considered it a rescue when Von seemed like the bad guy as Aiden’s accomplice.