He was jerked back to the present as his ass landed in a chair. His chest heaved with heavy breaths as he blinked at his surroundings.
“I take it you know her?” Preston asked.
Scotty nodded, rubbing a hand over his face. “The red head? Yeah, you could say that. You get what you need?”
Robert answered, “Hoping you can elaborate.”
The siren started laughing, the sound wrong without his tongue.
“As long as we take this discussion somewhere he’s not.” Otherwise, he might kill the bastard. Eiren wanted him dead so he could have Saressa to himself. Although, Saressa never stuck to one man so that was a ridiculous notion in and of itself. Even bound to him, she had wanted every cock she saw.
Preston led them to the next room and shut the door. Thankfully he chose a room Isa and Kellan weren’t in. Preston turned toward him. “That was Saressa? As in the Queen of Water and Fire?”
“Yeah. That’s her. Sadistic sociopath.”
“Dealt with plenty of those.”
“Not like this. She’s on a whole new level of fucked up. She took my bond that was forming with another and twisted it before it took root. She nearly destroyed me. I don’t know what to say other than I want her dead. She’s caused too much damage. Not just for me, but all of Faerie.”
“So I’ve heard.” He chuckled. “You and Jayde, huh?”
Scotty nodded. “I would have bonded with her if it weren’t for Saressa. Though earlier today our connection snapped into place like it was always meant to. Without having sex.”
“How long ago would this bond have formed?” Robert asked.
“That’s enough, Doctor Drew.”
“Who?” Robert asked in confusion.
Preston snickered.
“Loveline, you know the radio show—never mind. Look, I need to talk to Jayde and figure some shit out. There’s a man in the other room who loves her. One I suspect has always put her first.” It didn’t matter how long they’d been together. Scotty made one mistake after another where Jayde was concerned. He wasn’t sure he could make her happy.
Preston laughed out loud. “And you literally couldn’t because of a bond.”
“Doesn’t change the truth. He’s the better man. I couldn’t resist another woman. I tried, but I wasn’t strong enough.”
“What does your heart say?”
“Go after her.”
“Then do it. Worst she does is turn you down.”
Preston’s phone chimed. He pulled it out of his pocket. “Looks like she’s here with Toryn.”
His heart thundered in his chest. “I thought she’d be out longer.”
“Why?”
“Manticore poison. She took it from me. Jayde heals fast, processes it faster than most could, but she should have been down for at least a day.”
“Well, someone had a solution then. Let’s go.”
“What about Eiren?”
A smirk lifted one corner of Preston’s lips. “He’s going in a cell. Not sure what we can really do with him. Primarily, we don’t want to give him back to a psycho bitch.”
* * * *
“Really think this is a good idea?” Jayde asked Toryn. “The council isn’t usually happy to see me. I think they’d prefer to lock me in one of their cells and leave me.”
Toryn gave her a sideways glance as he parked. “You slept with Preston, did you not?”
She looked away. “Once. It’s not like I’ve been celibate. And what is he to you?”
He drew a slow breath. “If I tell you, it doesn’t leave this car.”
Intrigued, she turned toward him, her brow pinched. “I’ll never speak a word.”
“Scotty knows.”
“You two are close, why wouldn’t he?”
“Good point. Preston’s my son. I didn’t know it until a few months back, but yeah.”
She turned back, her eyes bugging out of her head. “Shit, um… well damn. What in the abyss am I supposed to say?”
Toryn’s laugh irked her. “Now I’m glad we never hooked up all those years ago. Can you imagine that conversation?”
“Eww.” She smacked him lightly. “It wouldn’t faze you, but yeah, I’m now weirded out.”
“What can I say, my son has good taste,” he teased.
Blushing, she climbed out of the car. Knowing inside were three men she’d been with left her feeling cheap.
“Hey,” Toryn said, as he came up next to her. “I was teasing. You’ve never let many men close to you.”
“Can’t help feeling dirty.”
“Don’t. Look at how many people I’ve been with. If you want a cheap slut, you’re looking at him.”
She nudged his shoulder. “You have a way of cheering me up.”
“Come on. Time to hear Scotty out.”
“I’ll listen. Won’t guarantee I’ll accept what he has to say.”
“That’s a start.”
Preston came outside. His eyes went from Toryn to Jayde and back. He shook his head in amusement.
She glanced at Toryn, feeling ridiculous all over again.
Toryn rolled his eyes. “We’ve been friends for ages. Her heart has always belonged to Scotty, though she would like to deny it.”
Preston let out a nervous chuckle. “Well, that makes things less awkward. Though you haven’t felt the tension between Scotty and Kellan yet.”
She sighed. “Let’s find out what we can. If Saressa’s coming, none of us are safe.”
Chapter 24
Scotty paced the room. Too many of Saressa’s possessions had been taken. She was bound to come and take them all back. Did she even realize Alenathos was no longer under her control?
He was facing the door when it opened. Jayde stepped in and their eyes locked on each other. His brain wasn’t firing, but his heart and body were. He stalked across the room and took her face in his hands as he bent to kiss her.
She jerked back, then disappeared, showing up across the room. “No. Not like this.” She shook her head, her eyes closed. “We need to talk, but not here. That can happen later.”
“You’re right.” The words were torn from him. “I’m sorry.”
“Smart move.” Kellan snorted.
“And you.” Her eyes narrowed at Kellan. “Please don’t make this any more difficult than it needs to be.”
Kellan heaved a sigh and sat down in a chair with his arms crossed over his chest. Scotty realized he was doing the same thing and dropped his arms.
He walked to the far side of the room and shoved his hands in his pockets. Her eyes bored into him and he looked up. Warring emotions crossed her face. He wanted to prove he loved her and no one else. But how?
Kellan cleared his throat. “What did you find in Eiren’s head?”
Scotty’s attention turned to him. “Saressa thinks you’re going to go back to her. She wanted Eiren to bring me back also.”
“Yeah. I’m guessing my mother didn’t specify alive, and he wanted his competition out of the picture?”
“I want Saressa dead.” Scotty started for the door. He couldn’t stand being inside anymore, couldn’t stand being cooped up. And Kellan—one more word from numbnuts and he might beat the smug smile off his face.
Scotty needed air. Hell, he wanted the forest—to run, to breathe in the scents and let nature center him.
A hand landed on his shoulder before he made it down the hallway, to the elevator. He turned to find Jayde looking up at him.
“I don’t want her to get her hands on you,” she admitted.
“And I don’t want her anywhere near you. If you’re willing to give me a chance, I’m not walking away. No matter what. I can’t go another century without you. As soon as I saw you, everything came rushing back.”
“And the other woman?”
“Who?” He honestly had no clue what she was talking about.
“The blond the other night, and again at the diner.”
He felt like a dick, but didn’t hold b
ack any secrets. “Zoe. We’re friends. Yes, I went to bed with her. It was a test. I needed to see if I could spend a night with a woman without drowning in a sea of guilt afterward. You have no idea what I’ve struggled with. Bound to Saressa, every time I was with a woman, I felt ripped open. I hated myself. I’d given up and then a friend found a way to break the bond.”
“Isa.”
“Yes. She’s not mine, never will be. She’s meant for Toryn. Together they’re whole.”
“And me?”
“You have always been meant for me. Question is, have I hurt you too much to give me a chance?”
“No, but I’m scared. You left twice, and I don’t trust you won’t again. I can’t go through you walking away a third time, but I can’t go back to how it was. We need to talk, nothing more for now, but I need to understand how this time might be different.” Her bottom lip trembled and he closed the distance.
Caressing her cheek, he ran his thumb across her lower lip, soothing it. “I can’t walk away again, unless that’s truly what you want. Might kill me, but I’d do anything to prove you’re all I want, all I need. If there’s a chance, I’d march through the abyss to you.”
Amusement danced through her eyes. “Mean it?”
He nodded. “For you, I’d do anything. I was protecting you by staying away. Then Toryn told me you didn’t want me anymore. I thought I was giving you what you needed.”
“Well, stop thinking. Let’s see where we go.”
“Still don’t believe me?”
“Kind of hard after centuries of not being the one you chose—even if it was for the right reasons. I won’t shut you out, but you may need to be patient with me.”
“I think I’ve shown I can be patient for you.” He smiled sadly. “That’s what got us into this mess to begin with. I was such a fool.”
“You stole my heart. Left it damaged. Be careful with it this time.”
“I’ll mend it.”
Her eyes searched his for a moment before she rose up on her toes to kiss him softly. Needing more, he pulled her tight against him as he relished the feel of her lips on his.
A groan made him freeze. She settled back on her feet and looked around Scotty. “Don’t be an ass. We’ll be right there.”
“Make out later. We have shit to deal with.” Kellan stormed back into the room, slamming the door.
Scotty closed his eyes, biting his tongue.
“Nothing?”
“I have no right to complain about what you did while I was away from you. None whatsoever.” He opened his eyes and found a twinkle in hers.
“Good. I won’t ask any questions about who you’ve been with either.”
He wouldn’t admit to his relief, but it was great. “I’ll earn your trust, your heart. I’ll find a way to show you my love has always been there, even if I couldn’t give it to you freely.”
“Let’s discuss this later. Kellan’s right. We have to deal with Saressa. I can’t imagine she’ll sit by and passively watch every one of her loyal pets disappear.”
Scotty winced and took her hand, leading her back into the room.
“You okay, man?” Toryn asked.
He nodded. “Will be. What do we know?”
“Saressa’s planning to cross the veil. Not sure when, but soon. She won’t stand by while she loses every one of her allies. Remus is dead. Alenathos is no longer bound to her. You certainly aren’t, and she can’t get to Eiren where he’s at.”
Scotty shook his head. “I’m not sure I agree with that. I’ve seen her create portals nearly anywhere she chooses. It’s why Lonny taught us how to improve our wards.” He didn’t mention the fact he feared that, while the bond was intact, she might suck him from this world back into Faerie. An old friend had been pulled back through.
Isa smiled. “I have an idea to lure her. Let’s throw a big bash at Shenanigans. Revolt and a few other bands can play. We’ll have everyone there who can help bring her down.”
Toryn’s brow scrunched. “You want to bring the danger to your bar?”
“Have Lonny work one of his spells to attract Others, and deter normal mortals.” She shrugged. “Hey, it’s worth a shot.”
“I don’t like it,” Toryn insisted, but she didn’t back down. He sighed. “Might work though.”
Preston nodded, a smirk lifting one corner of his mouth. “The Silver Council will be there. I’ll talk to Hayden and Slater up in Edenton. See who they can send out. Don’t pick a full moon and it should be fine.”
Jayde frowned, looking at each of them before asking, “Do you really think she’s going to show up at a party?”
“My mother? Yeah, she’d delight in wrecking a gathering. Especially if it’s in celebration of you two getting back together.” A sneer flitted across his lips as he looked away.
An apology nearly left Scotty’s tongue, but he refused to utter the words. It wasn’t his fault things turned out this way. The blame lay on Saressa. She altered everyone’s destiny and they were finally righting it. At least, he hoped they were, because Jayde was his destiny.
* * * *
Jayde couldn’t resist staying close enough to soak up Endiscott’s warmth. Her emotions warred for top spot and were all over the field.
Love. Yeah, that was a big, overwhelming one. The only man she ever needed was ready to choose her, or so he said.
Then there was fear. She was scared shitless that Saressa would show up and he would choose her again. He’d been bound to her for two centuries. A part of her believed his freedom wasn’t real.
Anger, because after she’d waited centuries, he was ready. No time to wait, to think, to consider. The moment Saressa’s bond snapped he was ready to take her back.
Confusion, of course. Why now? If he loved her so much before the bond was broken, why wait?
And sadness. The silent weight of depression, ready to break her when he realized she wasn’t what he wanted.
Finally, weakness. There was no chance she would resist him. Ever since she first laid eyes on Endiscott she’d wanted to know him. He took his time learning every detail about her, stealing her heart in the process. If he left again, she didn’t think she’d survive.
The rustle of clothes pulled her attention to Kellan. He watched her with such intensity she wanted to crawl in a hole and hide. They’d been together a handful of times. She thought because they were both horny and needed to scratch an itch. How could she have missed his true intentions?
She hardly paid attention to the conversation. Yeah, she caught the part about luring Saressa into a trap at the bar, and then it all faded away, until Endiscott and Kellan started to get snippy with each other.
“If you could have kept it in your pants with my mother, we wouldn’t be here,” Kellan stated boldly.
Endiscott stood straighter, his hands cranked into fists as he glared at Kellan, bringing her back into the conversation. “Why are you here, Kellan? Is it to start shit?” His tone held bite.
“I was sent to keep an eye on Jayde, and prevent her from finding you. Clearly I care about Jayde too much to do what my mother wanted.”
“And you wonder why no one trusts you?”
“Hey, hey, cool it,” Jayde said, stepping between them. “Not once has Kellan done anything to make me doubt him. His mother may be the queen of all bitches, and his father a sick fuck, but he isn’t them.”
Endiscott’s chest heaved as he glared at Kellan. “He has no clue the torment I’ve survived. Do you have any idea how badly I wanted it to end? How many times I begged for death?” He wiped at his eyes and turned away. “You have no fucking idea how much I’ve hated myself, every day since I fell under her sway.”
“Biggest fucking mistake of your life,” Kellan quipped.
“No shit.”
“Don’t be an asshole, Kellan.” Jayde moved in front of Endiscott but he turned away.
Endiscott wouldn’t look at her. “He’s right. It was my mistake.”
She touched h
is chin and pulled his gaze back to hers. “No. Saressa didn’t give you a choice. This isn’t your fault.”
“Doesn’t matter. I was weak,” he admitted softly, and closed his eyes.
“Got news for you,” Toryn said. “Once Saressa set her mind on you, she was going to find a way to take what she wanted.”
She saw the tremble in Endiscott’s hands as he clutched them into fists. “I can’t go back.”
Jayde hated the quiver in his voice. He looked anywhere but at her and she knew it was guilt. The pain in his eyes squeezed tight around her heart, urging her to take it from him. “No one is asking you to go back.” She touched his face. “In fact, I won’t allow it. Not this time.”
“Don’t give me false hope, Jayde.”
“Regardless of our destiny, you’re not going back to her.”
He nodded, his eyes closing. She wanted to tell him it was all going to be okay, but she didn’t know that and was scared to death he might decide he still wanted Saressa.
“If going back would keep you safe, I would.”
Kellan let out a heavy breath. “Unfortunately, that’s not going to work. She expected me to kill Jayde. Keeping her out of the picture is no longer enough.”
Jayde spun toward Kellan. “Thought you said you were ordered to keep me from Endiscott.”
“Does it make a difference? Clearly I couldn’t go through with her orders, either way.” Sighing, he looked at his feet. “Hurting you is the last thing I’d ever want to do.”
A pang of guilt went through Jayde. Maybe she’d led him on.
Isa cleared her throat. “How about Thursday? It’s not normally a busy night. That gives us a few days to get the bar ready, and the wards in place. I’d imagine she’ll be here by then.”
“Still don’t like this,” Toryn muttered.
Preston snorted. “Between all of us and our friends, we should have no problem keeping Saressa from causing too much shit.”
“That is, if she doesn’t mindfuck us all and turn us against each other,” Kellan answered.
Toryn’s eyes blazed to Kellan. “Don’t even go there. It’s one woman. She can’t compete with all of us. We’ll be fine.”
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