by Eden Ashley
“The big rogue dropped it when we fought. I’m sure it will be all we need.”
“Alright, then.” She managed a tired smile. “Let’s get you out of here.”
Chapter 17
Orrin rested on the large sofa in Kali’s suite with one arm folded behind his head and the other dangling over the edge of the cushions. Though both eyes were open, he looked pretty exhausted. The reassurances he’d made to Kali were wildly overstated, considering the trio of gunshot wounds that had impacted his chest. Luckily, no vital organs or major arteries were hit. Three lead bullets, each went through and through. He’d be fine tomorrow or the next day. It was a miracle.
Kali was still on two feet, but barely. The girl was pretty banged up. Tender ribs, a bruised throat, and a concussion that left her pupils wider and darker than usual were, by far, less severe injuries than the ones Orrin was dealing with. But her body would take much longer to heal. She was quieter than normal, probably in a lot of pain. Worry pinched every corner of her face, drawing her full lips into a thin line. York couldn’t help feeling sorry for her…and rotten for the way he’d treated her. She loved and wanted the best for all of them. It was clear that she’d nearly given her life to help save Orrin’s. Kali was a good kid. Somewhere along the way, York had lost sight of that. Somehow he would make it up to her. He just hoped she could forgive him, and things could go back to how they were.
Crossing the room in a few strides, York didn’t miss the way Kali stiffened at his approach. She nearly flinched away when he reached for her. It was a kick in the balls. How big of a jerk have I been? He hoped a bit of gentleness would soothe her. “Kali, you and Orrin did a really good job back there. You’re both safe now. It’s okay to rest. You need to.” Taking her arm, he guided her toward a plush club chair situated next to Orrin. She relented and for a moment even leaned into him as they walked. Then her shoulders and chin lifted as her spine pulled impossibly straighter. But that split second of trust was enough to make York hopeful. He wanted Kali’s confidence again and was willing to do anything to earn it back. As she sat down in the chair, he kneeled in front of her and felt Dmiri’s approving gaze light on him from a dark corner in the room.
“I’m incredibly sorry, Kali. I’ve been acting pretty lousy toward you lately. That stops now. And I’m going to make it up to you…no matter how long it takes.”
She squeezed his hand and nodded silently. She even smiled a little.
Shit.
York understood then exactly how one-sided the breach between them had been. Kali never wanted this fight. Looking back, he realized she’d been trying extra hard to play nice and smooth things over. He was just too busy being a hard ass to appreciate it.
Remembering what he was hiding back in the other suite, York took a deep, preparing breath. “That being said, in the next five minutes, you’re probably going to be angry with me. What I’ve done is not to hurt you intentionally. But most likely it will. It was a split decision, probably a bad one. But we can’t go back from it. So please bear with me.”
“Okay,” she obliged, though her posture was uncertain.
York stood up. Everyone watched him, waiting. “Alright,” he said. “The easy part is behind us.”
Rion’s hand immediately shot up. He cleared his throat. “Um…Orrin’s shot. Kali has a concussion and bruised ribs. How is that easy?”
“Well, kiddo, wait until you hear the next act.” Pulling a cell phone from his front pocket, he punched a speed dial. The call was answered on the first ring. “River, bring in our guest.”
#
Gratitude. Kali was feeling a lot of it. Orrin was healing and was going to be okay. They’d made it out of the bank alive. York seemed genuinely committed to calling a truce in the ongoing quarrel between them. He’d apologized, handled her with a kindness she hadn’t realized she’d missed so severely until now. If he was willing to put it all behind them, then Kali was determined to meet him at least halfway. Although York had admitted preemptively to actions that might upset her, she resolved to give him the benefit of the doubt. The divide between them needed to be filled. The infighting had to stop.
But then River half-dragged, half-escorted a gorgeous red-head with equally stunning almond shaped, honey-colored eyes and a silhouette that could have graced any runway. The strange woman fixed on her the cool, appraising gaze of a rival—a look Kali had received many times from girls in high school—and her resolved faltered. This woman was bad news.
Bailen made a soft noise at her feet. While Rion’s eyes widened with appreciation for the lovely creature introduced into their midst, Orrin’s expression remained largely unchanged. Somewhere behind her, and hidden in shadow, was Dmiri. Possessing unparalleled acuity in all things, Kali would have liked to have seen the old kindred’s reaction to the woman.
York didn’t waste much time on introductions. “Kali, Cixi. Cixi, Kali,” he said with a flourish of one hand. “Cixi claims to have information that can help us find The Siren’s Heart. She said Ian ordered her to seek us out and offer her services.” He took a breath. “I believe her. But if this is going to work, we’ve got to put a few things out in the open and on the table.” He paused, his eyes drilling into Kali’s. Her stomach did a small flip. “There’s something everyone needs to understand. And by everyone, I really mean Kali and Cixi.”
“Get on with it, Yorkshire. Your suspense isn’t wholly lost on the little one.” The woman’s painted lips stretched into a smile that wasn’t entirely humorless. “And you risk boring me to tears.”
“Alright.” York’s gaze hardened as he considered the stranger whom he was obviously acquainted with. When he continued, his words were addressed to Kali. “Rhane and Cixi once shared a thing. It happened a long time ago. Just sex really, but Cixi never quite moved on.”
There. He’d said it. Confirmed her suspicions. Though she’d expected it, the truth stabbed through Kali’s heart like a thousand needles. Hot tears pricked the backs of her eyes, demanding a release that could not be granted. Of course Rhane had bedded other women. They’d been separated for four centuries. He wasn’t some celibate priest. He was a guy with needs. Needs that were filled by entangling himself in the arms of another woman, naked and sweaty beneath him, writhing in ecstasy as he—stop. Kali clenched her teeth together. Beating back jealousy was difficult enough when confronted with a woman who so obviously still had strong feelings for Rhane—her Rhane. Forcing images of raw intimacy from her mind, she concentrated on York, who was still speaking.
“And you need to understand that what you and Rhane had was over long ago. Kalista is his past. She is also his present and future. As his second, I am required to protect what belongs to my alpha…no matter the cost.” He moved closer to Cixi. “Ian may have sent you, but whether you stay or go depends on a whole lot more. Are we understood?”
“My grasp of English is perfect, Yorkshire.” Though the woman had answered York, her eyes never left Kali’s.
York didn’t seem to like that. “I didn’t ask about your fucking aptitude in English. I asked if you understood me.”
Taking in his angry countenance, the woman’s golden eyes brightened and seemed to evolve with new understanding. Her face softened as she lowered her gaze to the floor. “I understand.”
“Perfect.” For a few tense moments, no one moved. Cixi’s gaze remained downward as she finally seemed to submit to York’s authority. Eventually, he stepped away from the beautiful woman of mixed Asian descent and nodded toward Kali. “Now, tell Rhane’s mate what you told me.”
She stretched her arms out before her, bound at the wrists with thin wire. “Your hospitality is questionable. I am a guest. Are these blood silver restraints truly necessary?”
“No. But it’s too much of a hassle to bother with taking them off right now. Say what you have to say.”
“Very well. You failed to procure what you seek for the same reason the rogues have failed. The treasure of the Heart does not lie with
in the bank’s secure walls, but beneath them in an underground realm hidden for many centuries.”
Kali discreetly looked around the room. Cixi’s information, if true, was indeed valuable. But could she be trusted? Rion and River both appeared doubtful. York’s expression was unreadable as he stared at Kali, waiting silently. For what? Bailen leaned into her ever so slightly. It was the cue she needed.
“How do you know this?” she asked.
The red and golden beauty lifted her chin. Defiance darkened her eyes. “I am kindred. And I am the beta of the eastern hemisphere. I allied myself with sun rogues on this continent, to the faction who seeks the vessel. But I am loyal to my people, to Ian. He does not approve of my methods, but he has never turned away good intel.”
“Why should we trust you?”
“Dmiri sees truth. He can assure you that my purpose here is to help.”
At her words, the large kindred materialized from obscurity. “How do you know what I am?”
“Your smell is old. Even older than Ian’s. Throughout my life, I have heard rumors of creatures like you—ancient ones, originals who survived the First Wars and the Great Cleanse. Kindred who have transcended time, evolved into something more, into things the master race had not intended.”
“Ah.” Dmiri smiled. “You are correct. I do see truths.” Standing between the two women, he shifted his focus to Kali. “Cixi can help return what was lost to you. But you must never forget, dark one. A scorned lover is more dangerous than a startled viper.”
“Okay then.” Kali shoved to her feet, blocking out ripples of pain that accompanied the movement. “We’ll just have to tread carefully.” She matched Cixi’s unblinking stare. “Tell us everything. But start with how to get into the bank’s underground.”
“I will give all I have. But I must ask for one thing in return.”
“What?”
“Once I turn over this information, the rogues will know I have betrayed them. All hives will seek vengeance. Nowhere on this continent will be safe for me. I must journey to the States and take refuge with Ian’s pack. For that, I will need your help to ensure I arrive unharmed.”
Though she really didn’t like the idea of Rhane’s ex living within a hundred miles of the manor, Kali didn’t flinch at Cixi’s request. “Done,” she said. “Now can we begin?”
Chapter 18
Nightfall came quickly. Less than twelve hours after barely escaping with her life, Kali was back inside the bank. Five of them stood on the elevator, waiting in edgy silence as the steel box completed a slow descent. And when the doors opened again, only four emerged.
“Thank you, cousin.” Cixi bowed deep. The gesture was mirrored by Shen. “We will take it from here.”
“Are you certain, Cixi. Secrets guarded so closely are best left buried.”
“We’ve come too far to stop now.”
With a grave nod, Shen removed a long cord from around his neck. At the end of the braided leather dangled a thin and rectangular card. He offered it to Cixi. “This is your way into the vault and beyond. Ghosted with a false identity that cannot be traced by this bank’s systems, it will open the inner doors only once. You must find your own way from there.”
“Great,” York muttered.
Cixi took the necklace, bowing again slightly. “Thank you.”
Shen shook his head. “Do not thank me. That doorway, some say it is the gateway to hell. The catacombs are a maze, designed to keep intruders from finding an immense treasure hidden within. Even if you locate the treasure, the labyrinth may not let you escape.”
Kali exhaled softly. Beside her, York whispered, “That’s it. I think I want off this merry-go-round.” Pursing her lips together to keep from smiling, she bumped him lightly with one elbow. “We’ll be fine.”
“I’ve been to hell before,” River said. Kali took it as his own peculiar form of agreement.
Seconds later, the doors closed and the elevator was gone, leaving the four of them alone in darkness. “Okay,” Kali said, unsure why her voice dropped to a whisper. “What now?”
York moved closer, softly murmuring against her ear. “Let’s go find some buried treasure.”
Cixi’s scoff floated across the darkness. “We need light, siren. Why don’t you conjure a ball of fire for us?”
Clicking on her flashlight, Kali aimed the beam’s glow so Cixi wouldn’t miss her smirk. “Is that enough light for you, Cixi?”
York snickered. “Let’s go, ladies.”
The ghost key did exactly as Shen said it would. After gaining access to the vault, they entered one of the larger storage rooms the bank manager had directed them to. It was completely empty. Heavy still composed the walls and floors. A door of the same material stood opposite from the one they’d entered, numerous latches bolting it shut like the jaws of a leviathan. With one swipe of the ghost key those locks retracted, one by one, and the door creaked open. Whatever mechanics powered it hissed with the effort.
River stepped through first. York gestured for Kali to follow and brought up the rear behind Cixi. He seemed determined to keep a close eye on the strange woman, most likely feeling responsible for the decision to keep her involved and any consequences, good or bad, that stemmed from it.
They walked for what felt like miles to her sore ribs in a passageway so narrow it forced them into single file formation. The dirt ceiling hung just above their heads, low enough that York could barely stand straight. An obscene silence stilled the air. Darkness pressed all around. Kali had never felt so grateful for a flashlight. Leather scabbards that rested on either hip itched beneath her clothing. But their weight was a comfort. Should anything have emerged from the darkness, Kali was certain she could defend herself.
Eventually the straightaway ended, broadening into a large circular junction that was surrounded by tunnel openings. Half a dozen options led in very different directions. They faced an impossible choice.
So, this must be why this place is called a labyrinth, Kali observed silently.
“We should split up,” Cixi said.
York shot her suggestion down instantly. “No. Everyone stays together.”
“But we could cover more ground and much faster.”
“Yeah that ‘no’ was kinda final, not an invitation for debate.”
Cixi scowled. “How could I have ever forgotten how impossible you are, Yorkshire?”
“I don’t know. You ain’t exactly a stroll through the garden yourself.”
Kali interrupted their banter. “What if one or both of you go wolf?” she asked. “Then you could use your heightened senses to see if there’s some sort of clue as to which way we should go.”
“Go wolf?” York repeated. His frown was worse than Cixi’s.
“I was just about to suggest that,” River said at the same time.
Shrugging, Kali responded to York. “It’s what you do isn’t it? Well, of course you guys call them skins.” She stopped. York was shaking his head.
“After all this, don’t tell me that you still think we are werewolves.”
“Uh…no?” Kali’s eyes darted around uncertainly. “You’re Warekin.”
“Rhane never really explained this to you?”
Now River was shaking his head. His mouth turned slightly downward. “I don’t think he did.”
Cixi just looked bored. “Give her the science lesson later. Bring out your skins or I’ll change into mine.”
York ignored her. “We’re not werewolves because our actual cells don’t change. War skins emerge from potential mass cells, which are composed of entirely different DNA. It’s a different creature, a weapon that is dormant until called upon. That’s why we call them skins.”
Making a mental note not to utter the “go wolf” suggestion or anything similar to it again, Kali nodded. “And that’s why injuries don’t transfer.”
York winked. “You got it.”
“Shall I summon a skin now?” River stared intently at the tunnels.
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br /> “Go for it.” York gestured to Cixi. “Now kindred are different. If you want to call anyone a werewolf, it would be them. Their physical cells react to moonlight and become those big, ugly, hyena wolves—would you call them wolves, River?”
He answered just as he lost his mouth to the large wolf head enveloping his human one. “No.”
“Yeah, let’s stick to trolls. Kindred become big, ugly were-trolls when exposed to moonlight. Well, they used to. Now a lot of them appear to be able to control transformations at will.”
In the glow of the flashlight’s beam, Kali could see the way Cixi’s entire face had turned bright red and wondered if York was intentionally antagonizing the woman. So far, she genuinely appeared willing to help recover the missing artifact. Her actions had gotten them to this point. If that statue was the only way to get Rhane back, Kali was keen to accept help from any source and considered it more prudent to remain on Cixi’s good side for a little while longer. She would just have to trust that York knew what he was doing.