by L. S. O'Dea
“I’m not sure that I believe you, but—”
“I don’t lie.” At least, he wasn’t right now. In his opinion, there were too many males interested in her.
“Please. You’re going to make me question everything you just told me and I don’t want to do that.”
He laughed. “I’m not lying. You are spectacular.” He swallowed around a lump as she gazed at him. He was on dangerous ground again. It’d happened so fast. One moment he was enjoying her company as a friend and the next his thoughts were anything but platonic. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. Obviously, her thoughts weren’t anything like his, but that was good and he’d keep telling himself that until he actually forced his brain to accept it as truth.
“Even if what you said is true, those males liking me is just because they want to”—she glanced at him—“mate with me. They don’t want to pair with me forever.”
Maybe she wasn’t such a fool. The Servants at Ray’s had quickly left with other females for the evening. Curtis had flirted with every female available in the short time that he’d visited the Guard in the hospital tent. Travis seemed a decent sort, but she obviously didn’t feel anything for the kid, poor sot. He hadn’t had a chance to meet many of the others at the camp but a lot were too old or too young. She needed a male in his prime not some boy or ancient and she deserved a mate who appreciated her for more than her looks.
“I’ll take your silence as agreement since you seem to have a hard time admitting that I’m right.” She nudged him in the side with her elbow again, but there was disappointment in her voice.
If he didn’t do something soon, the tears might come back. He lifted his arm. “Come here.”
She gave him a weird look.
“We’re friends right? Please don’t say no. I have fewer than you.”
“Yeah, I guess we’re friends.” She smiled and snuggled against him. “Friends who fight and disagree a lot.”
“I don’t see that changing.” His arm lowered, wrapping around her waist and pulling her tight. “You’re too stubborn and you can be such a brat.”
“Me?” She tried to elbow him but he tightened his grip, keeping her close.
“This works great. I can say what I want without fear of reprisal.”
She extracted her claws, the tips shining silver in the dark.
“Okay, okay. You win.”
“That wasn’t so hard was it?” Her claws slipped back inside her fingertips. Her voice was filled with suppressed laughter, not even a hint of sadness.
“It was unbelievably difficult. You’ll see when you have to concede to me one day.”
“In your dreams.”
He leaned his cheek on her head. “One thing you haven’t thought about is that although you may not have a lot of friends, you have the best kind. The kind that have your back and support you no matter what.”
“I do know that. I’m lucky but it’s still hard when the others shun me.”
“Yeah, but that’s their problem, not yours.”
“Feels like mine.”
He smiled against her hair. “You’ll find someone one day and then you won’t care about the others. He’ll be enough.”
“Is that what you had with Viola?”
Her name made his breath falter. He’d forgotten, just for a moment, about her.
“I’m sorry.” She sat up, but didn’t move away. “I didn’t mean—”
“No. Don’t be.” He was frozen. “It...hearing her name, it was a surprise.”
“I won’t bring her up again.”
“That’s not what I meant. We shouldn’t forget her. I won’t forget her. Not ever.” Or what he’d done to her.
“We should get some sleep,” she said, her eyes sad.
He nodded and when she hesitated before leaning against him, he raised his arm. “For warmth and we don’t want the nightmares to return.” He forced his tone to be light.
She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder but the mood was gone. The friendliness and banter interrupted by Viola’s ghost.
CHAPTER 34: JACKSON
JACKSON STOOD BEHIND A large tree overlooking Kim’s house. He was being stupid. He was going to get caught if he didn’t quit doing this, but he wasn’t the only idiot in their group. Nope, they were all soft-hearted fools. He’d been furious when he’d gone to Hugh’s tent and found him gone. Then he’d been relieved and a little disappointed when he’d discovered that Trinity was also missing. Hugh would be safer but she knew better than to put him at risk.
He shifted a little, his legs and feet sore from standing in place, as a carriage pulled up to Kim’s house. A young, male Almighty got out and walked to the door. Jackson didn’t recognize the guy. It could be a friend of Jethro’s from college, but that carriage was expensive. None of Jethro’s friends had that kind of money.
Kim opened the door. She wore a short, floral dress, her shapely legs bare. He remembered the feel of those legs—smooth and silky and warm. The guy took her arm. That male had no right to touch her. A low growl rumbled through his chest as he stepped forward and then stopped. He was the one who had no right. Not anymore.
The Almighty led her to the carriage and helped her inside, his eyes taking in her legs as she seated herself. Jackson’s fists clenched at his side. If the man didn’t stop leering at her, he was going to punch him in the face.
The carriage disappeared down the street. He leaned against the tree. He had a long night ahead of him. He’d never sleep unless he knew that she was home safe and alone. He definitely needed to know that she was alone.
CHAPTER 35: HUGH
HUGH FOLLOWED TRINITY THROUGH the forest. Neither she nor Say seemed to be sore at all. He, on the other hand, ached all over and it wasn’t only the cuts and injuries. His muscles weren’t used to this kind of workout. He’d thought he’d been in good shape, but he’d been mistaken. Still, he refused to complain about the fast pace. He’d already done enough damage for the day.
That morning, he’d woken slowly, his sleepy brain refusing to focus. He’d been comfortable and aroused. His body had been wrapped around a warm female, but not just any female, her. He’d been on his side, holding her. She was on her back, her hand covering his as if to keep it cupped to her breast. His leg was thrown over hers and his face was buried against her neck. He’d started to rollover, to put himself into the position that his body craved when he’d snapped fully awake. He’d flung himself away from her so fast and hard that when he’d hit the side of the tree it’d shaken. His movement had also sent her rolling. She’d not been happy when she’d bumped into the other side of the tree and the day had gone downhill from there.
He’d scrambled out of the “hollow” as if a horde of Guards were on his trail. All he could think about was tearing off her clothes and answering all her questions about mating. He’d had no other option but to flee. She’d followed him, yelling at him the entire way because it wasn’t safe for him to leave first. She’d had no idea how unsafe she’d been alone with him in the dark. When she’d grabbed his arm and started to remove his shirt to clean his wounds, he’d panicked. He’d said something about her being a child and not understanding males and that he needed to visit Ray’s again. He’d never forget the look on her face. The hurt in her eyes was like a gunshot to his chest. She hadn’t spoken to him since, except when absolutely necessary.
He’d started to apologize several times, but the words always died on his tongue. He couldn’t tell her that he’d lied and that he didn’t want to visit Ray’s because he feared there was nothing there that would satisfy him for more than a moment. So, whenever he thought about apologizing, he pictured Viola and what he’d done to her. That kept his mouth shut.
Dusk came and went but they continued walking. He tried to move quietly, step where she stepped, but by the disgusted glances and quiet huffs coming from her, he was failing miserably. He was never so glad to see the city lights as he was that night, but the joy disappeared qui
ckly.
“Put your cloak on.” She stopped and pulled a tin from her sack.
“No, not the black shit.” He pulled the cloak over his head. Even he could smell the stench from the garment and soon the source of that smell would be all over his skin again.
“Yep. Without this, they’ll smell you a mile away.” She dipped her fingers in the stinky, tar-like substance.
“Do I smell that different from you?” He smeared it on his arms. “I’m living in the forest now.” He was sick, truly sick because he was a tiny bit thankful for the shit-paste because at least she was talking to him again.
“Not long enough. Maybe, after you’ve been out here a while. Change your diet but even then...If you get close enough we can smell the differences.”
“How come they never smelled the House Servant in you?”
“I never thought about that.” Her eyes met his in the moonlight. “I guess they did. That could be part of the reason that I was never accepted.”
That and because she was beautiful. Producers were generally attractive with their large, brown eyes and pleasant faces but nothing like her with her oval face and almond shaped eyes. She had to be hated by the other females at first sight.
“They wouldn’t have recognized the scent of a Servant since they were never around them, but they would’ve known that I smelled differently than they did.” She wiped her hands on her pants. “All done.”
“Jackson had met you. He didn’t realize you were a Servant and he knew what Servants smelled like.”
“Maybe when we’re a mix our scent is a little different.” She stuffed the tin back in her sack. “I don’t know. I can’t smell myself. You’ll have to ask him.”
CHAPTER 36: HUGH
HUGH DARTED DOWN THE alleyways behind Trinity. He’d never been in this part of the city before. Rundown was an understatement. They should’ve brought Jackson or someone else along. Even Say, the little traitor, had disappeared as soon as they’d left the forest. He quickened his pace to stay close to her. Stray House Servants loitered in corners and perched on the tumbled remains of concrete structures—half-walls, blocks and various other pieces of once proud buildings. A tiny, young Servant scurried away from a pile of trash. His eyes glowed blue-green in the shadows as he watched them pass.
“How do they live like this?” he whispered.
“We all live how we live.”
She was so nonchalant about it, barely glancing at the starving child who’d been eating trash. He’d learned firsthand that life could crush innocence and destroy everything good, but he wouldn’t let that happen to her. She had a chance for more than vengeance. Hope still lurked behind the shadows in her eyes, and he’d do everything he could to make sure it didn’t die out.
They continued traveling up and down alleyways, darting across abandoned streets and taking shortcuts through half-demolished buildings. It seemed like they were in a maze of despair. The feral Servants disappeared from the shadows, replaced by Guards. Most were old or maybe they were worn down by life. They passed a pack of Guards but they were children so there was no danger. It’d be a different story once they were older. Running in packs always led to trouble, but in this area it was probably the only way to survive.
She stopped at the end of an alleyway.
“You know, you never told me your plan for rescuing Reese.” He’d tried to ask in the forest but she’d hushed him.
“Shhh, get back.” She leaned against the wall, putting her arm across his chest and forcing him into the shadows.
A group of Guards walked down the street, heading toward them. The Guards were young, but old enough to cause them trouble. Her hand was warm and comforting in this awful place. No one should have to live like this. He stopped breathing, as the Guards passed, waiting for her to decide when it was safe.
She dropped her arm and peeked around the corner. He crept up behind her. He could smell the forest on her. He’d always loved the city but not anymore, at least not this city. This place was cruel and desperation clung to the air, stagnant and dark. He inhaled near her hair, needing the scent of something else.
“Wait here. I’ll only be a minute.”
“We should stay together.” There was no way he was letting her roam around alone, not here. The forest was dangerous but she’d been trained for that environment. The dangers here were different.
“I have to go in there.” She pointed to a building across the street. The windows were dark, many of them missing or broken. The once cheery yellow paint was faded as if it too had lost all hope.
“I’ll go with you.”
“You need to pay attention to your surroundings.” She spun around almost hitting him in the nose with her head. “Just because we’re in the city doesn’t make it safe.”
“I know that.” He moved closer. If she thought snapping at him would make him back down, then she didn’t know him as well as she should. “That’s why I’m going with you.”
“Open your eyes.” She turned back around and pointed. “Did you see the three Guards by the door?” She glanced over her shoulder at him.
He hadn’t, but he wasn’t admitting that to her. Not now.
“I’d rather you didn’t get too close to anyone. The cloak and soot should cover you well enough at a distance, but the disguise won’t stand close scrutiny.”
“I don’t want you going alone.” The Guards were all young males. She was an attractive female.
She turned and patted his face. “I’ll be fine.”
He grabbed her arm. “This is not a safe place for a lone female.”
“Do you think this is my first time here?” She yanked free from his grasp. “Trust me. I know what I’m doing, but I’ll make you a deal. You can save me if I get into trouble.” She snorted back a laugh as she darted away.
He glared at her as she ran across the street. Her lack of faith in his physical abilities was getting old. He was a man not a boy. He wasn’t useless. He could protect her.
She jogged up the steps not even trying to sneak past the Guards. She was too impetuous. He was going to have a word with Gaar about that. The Handler should’ve taught her to be careful. One of the Guards stepped into her path, stopping her on the stairs. He was tall and rangy, definitely part hunting Guard.
“Boys, our night is looking up.” The Guard’s eyes traveled up and down her body.
Hugh tensed, grasping the knife at his side. If they touched her, he’d kill them.
“I need to talk to Sassy.” Trinity met the Guard’s gaze.
The other two Guards moved closer, surrounding her. They were shorter than the first Guard, more compact like personal protection Guards. They looked younger, too. They couldn’t be more than twelve. She dropped her hands to her sides, claws peeking out of her fingertips.
“Now, ain’t that a shame. Sassy ain’t home.” The taller Guard moved closer until his chest almost touched hers. “You can visit with us though.” He ran his finger across her cheek.
That was it. He wasn’t going to do nothing while they mauled her. He strolled in their direction. These Guards were young. How this played out would depend a lot on first impressions. “Let her be,” he said, his voice barely a whisper but without hesitation. Guards were excellent at sensing fear.
They all turned in his direction. Trinity was not happy. Too bad.
“I told you to wait for me,” she said through clenched teeth.
The tall Guard tipped his head, sniffing. “This is interesting. Can’t quite make out the scent. Too much”—he shook his head, wrinkling his nose—“stink.”
Hugh climbed the stairs, keeping eye contact with the lanky leader. The younger two had moved back several feet and were fidgeting and glancing around.
“Go away. I can handle this.” Trinity moved to his side, glaring at him.
He ignored her. “Where is this Sassy if she’s not at home?”
The leader waved to his companions and they moved closer again, surrounding them.
“Why should we tell you?” The older Guard shifted, trying to get a closer look under the hood of Hugh’s cloak.
“Listen closely.” He tipped his head so that he could see the Guards but they couldn’t get a good look at his face. “I’m only going to say this once.” His voice was faint as he grabbed the smallest Guard by the neck. The boy struggled, but stopped as soon as Hugh pressed his knife against the kid’s throat. “Back up and tell us where Sassy is or junior, here, dies.”
“Let him go.” The lanky Guard snarled, showing long white canines.
“I will, as soon as you tell us where Sassy is.” He shifted, tightening his hold. “I don’t want to hurt any of you”—he flicked the knife a little so that the boy gasped—“but I will.”
“This is a mistake.” Trinity edged closer to him, claws bared.
“Tell him, Rocket,” said the other young Guard. “Mom will kill me if something happens to him.”
“Sassy’s at the Hut,” said Rocket, glaring at them.
Trinity touched Hugh’s arm. “Let’s go.”
“You know where or what that is?” His question was directed at Trinity but his eyes never left Rocket.
“Yes.”
“Open the door.” He nodded toward the building. The Guards didn’t move. “Do it!”
The younger Guard went up the stairs and opened the door.
“Both of you get inside.” He pressed inward with his knife, making his captive squeak.
Rocket hurried up the stairs and they both grumbled as they stepped into the building. He followed a few paces behind.
“Keep moving.” He waited until they were several yards down the hallway and then he shoved the boy inside, slamming the door behind him. “We need to block this door.”
“With what, genius?” Her hands were on her hips, her claws fully extended and her eyes snapped with anger.
Okay. Maybe he hadn’t thought this through. He grabbed her arm, dragging her into a corner beneath the stairs.