I snorted. “PsyShade is the same group of assholes that attacked my friend.” They’d hunted Inarus mercilessly. I’d found him beaten and bloodied in my apartment when he ran out of places to go to get away from them. He’d been one of their own, and they still hunted him down like a dog. “PsyShade attacked me. Destroyed my place of work. Why would I help you?”
They had to be delusional. They were my enemies. I didn’t care how much they paid, this was a gig I had every intention of turning down.
“We’re willing to pay for your servi—”
I held my hand up, stopping Jason before he finished his sentence. “There isn’t enough money in the world.” I shook my head and leaned back on my hands. “What reason do I have to help you? Give me one reason, and I’ll take it under consideration. But from where I’m sitting, you’re the enemy.”
Jason pursed his lips together, forming a thin white line. “We don’t have to be your enemy. We can be allies. You could use our strength and support as much as we can use yours. This can be a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
Before I could reject his statement, Declan reached out and twined his fingers with mine. I looked down and stared at our joined hands and then up at him. “They could be a means for stopping your mother,” Declan said.
I scowled. “And if they turn on us? They’ve been a part of the HAC for who knows how long. What’s to say they don’t harbor the same beliefs? That shifters, vampires, witches, and every other paranormal in existence is beneath them and in need of exterminating?”
Declan shrugged his shoulders. “Ask them.”
It wasn’t that easy though. Was it?
I leveled my gaze on the two men in front of me. “I’m not alone. I’m mated to Declan.” I lifted our joined hands. “Aligning yourselves with me would mean aligning yourselves with the Pack.”
Neither man made any indication that they objected to that fact.
“Okay, with that settled, I want to clear the air.” I waited for them both to nod before I continued. “I don’t trust you. I have no way of knowing this isn’t a set up. But if you’re honest and forthcoming with information, I’ll consider helping you. And if you lie to me or try to harm anyone I care about, I’ll kill both of you and won’t think twice about it. Are we clear?”
“Crystal.” Jason said. “Let us bring you up to speed.”
“The HAC started recruiting Psykers five years ago. We were scattered for the most part, but they gave us safety and a place to call home.” Emerson paused.
Safety after the Awakening was hard to come by. I’d been on my own at the age of seventeen just six months after the Awakening. Had someone offered me safety, food, shelter, and the comforts of home, I probably would have taken them up on it. But by the time anyone had come looking for me, I’d already been on the streets and worked my way out of them. And I’d learned that help always came with a price.
“They weren’t so fanatical back then. The HAC was an authority that promised to restore the life we all grew up having. I was twenty-one at the time. I’d watched friends die at the hands of vampires. So I took their offer and never looked back. Until now.”
“What’s changed?”
Some silent communication passed between both men before Emerson continued. “We might not have been there when you were brought in. But we know what was done to you. We know that Viola ordered Aiden to pull out your pyrokinetic power, and we know that you killed him for it.”
Declan growled deep in his chest.
Emerson raised both his hands. “We don’t blame you. Aiden deserved what he got.”
Declan’s growl quieted, but it didn’t lessen the feel of his anger through the bond.
“And why does what Aiden tried doing to me matter to you?”
Jason took one step forward. “I’m a TK, like Aiden was. Emerson is an aerokinetic.”
That was great, but where were they going with this?
“Viola is separating non-TKs from PsyShade. We didn’t realize it for what it was in the beginning. But over the past few months, she’s been thinning the herd. TKs are the most universal power. A geokinetic requires earth. An aerokinetic needs air. All the other designations need an element to use their powers. We don’t. She’s been separating us from the others little by little and molding us to think we’re better. She’s brainwashing our fucking people, and most don’t even realize it.” Jason’s breathing was heavy as if he’d just run a marathon. Anger marked his face, and small particles of dust danced around his legs.
He was struggling to keep his abilities in check.
Glad to see I wasn’t the only one with this problem.
“She pulled all the TKs aside last week. Every one of us. She wants us to purge the others.”
I sucked in a sharp breath as horror washed over me. The feel of my pyrokinetic abilities being ripped from inside of me was unlike any pain I’d experienced before. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
“I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to rebel out in the open. Viola isn’t known for tolerating disobedience.” Jason looked down at his feet.
My stomach clenched, a pit already forming. “What happened?”
“Seven of our men were murdered over the next couple of days. No one knows exactly how, but each one went out on an assignment, and their dead bodies came back. We all know she ordered the hits, but we don’t know who executed them. She’s looked outside of our ranks for assassins before. But she may have also convinced one of our own to take them out.” He shrugged. “I won’t purge my own people. And I won’t let myself be killed and abandon them either. I need a way to get them out. Fast.”
I looked at Declan, indecision warring inside of me.
“So far they’ve spoken nothing but the truth,” Declan said.
I chewed my lower lip. I had to take on my mother either way. If she was purging her ranks, all that did was help me. But if her ranks became mine …
“How many psykers are there?”
“Fifty-two,” Emerson said.
I whistled. That was a lot of psychokinetic power.
“There is one problem.”
Only one? I quirked a brow and waited for him to continue.
“We don’t know who we can trust. Those who initially spoke out are already the dead. And the others aren’t stupid enough to speak out now.”
“So then what’s your plan? Please tell me you didn’t go to all this trouble”—I waved at the empty space around me —“to get me here only to leave me hanging? Because I can’t really help you, assuming I even want to, if you don’t know what people you want to pull out of there.”
Jason interjected, “We intend to start with the non TKs. That’s thirty-four men and women. After we secure them, we can figure out how to approach the remaining eighteen.”
“I still don’t see what you want from me. What exactly are you expecting me to do?”
“We don’t need you to do anything. Not at first. We can get our people out. But we have nowhere to go. All of our money is tied up in HAC-owned accounts. Any large withdrawals would draw suspicion. We need—”
“A Compound,” I finished for him.
I turned to Declan. They hadn’t tracked me down because I could do anything for them. They’d tracked me down because of my connection to Declan and the built-in security the Compound provided. They needed Pack protection. But I didn’t speak for the Pack, and their protection wasn’t mine to give.
A cell phone buzzed in the silence. Declan ignored the silent question that hung in the air and read the text that illuminated his screen.
“Christian is awake. We need to return and see what happened to …” He trailed off.
Shit. Inarus.
I turned back to Emerson and Jason. “You’re asking a lot.”
“We know,” Jason said.
“We won’t be able to give you an answer tonight.”
Both men nodded. “We figured as much.”
I chewed my lower lip and sent a furtive
glance towards Declan. To tell them, or not to tell them?
“Inarus is missing,” Declan said.
Well, I guess that took care of it.
Startled eyes met my gaze. But before I could say anything, Declan continued, “He was taken from Sanborn Place earlier today. Help us find him, and you’ll have your answers.”
“Consider it done.”
Jason reached out and wrapped a hand around Emerson’s wrist, and they were gone.
14
Christian was awake and eating when we walked into his room. Still pale and visibly shaken, it was a relief when Annabeth told us he wouldn’t suffer any permanent damage from the attack.
“The drugs are still wearing off. Be patient with him, alright?” Annabeth said.
I nodded and took a seat in a nearby armchair.
Declan stood beside the bed, eyes downcast as he surveyed Christian for injuries. “Annabeth says you had a concussion.”
It wasn’t a question, but Christian nodded anyway. “It’s healed. I fell over like the freaking Leaning Tower of Pisa. My limbs locked up. I couldn’t stop my fall.”
I winced. That had to hurt.
“What happened?”
It was the million-dollar question. How does someone get inside my office and incapacitate three full-grown shifters and a telekinetic without leaving any trace of who or what they were?
“They gassed us. One minute I was working as usual, and the next my head started spinning and the ground rushed up to meet my face.”
“Did you see anyone?”
Christian shook his head.
Damn.
“Think,” Declan growled. “Sounds, scents. Anything.”
A furrow formed between Christian’s brows. “Three sets of boots. Heavy. Human scent but unfamiliar. No one I’ve come across before.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. That’s all I’ve got.”
Declan placed an arm on his shoulder. “It’ll have to do. Get some rest. If anything else comes to mind, call me.”
Christian nodded, and we left the room, giving him time to recuperate.
Declan didn’t say anything until we made our way to his room. He kicked off his boots and took a seat in one of the lounge chairs facing the fireplace while I paced behind him.
“Come sit down.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t sit. I needed to think.
Declan captured my wrist and tugged me toward him, pulling me into his lap.
He kissed me. A gentle press of his lips before leaning his forehead against mine. “It’s something.”
It wasn’t. We were right where we’d started. With Inarus missing and no idea who’d taken him. “He’s one of mine.”
He was one of my people. I was responsible for him. I didn’t have many people in my life I cared about or who cared about me. I had to find him.
Declan tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I know.”
He didn’t seem happy with the admission.
I sighed and curled into him, tucking my head beneath his chin.
“We know whoever attacked him was human. That’s something.”
He was right. But it wasn’t entirely helpful. There were two hundred and twelve thousand humans in Spokane. Finding the ones responsible for this would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
I worried my lower lip. A knock at the door had me sitting up.
I moved to climb out of Declan’s lap but his firm grip on my hips held me immobile.
“Come in,” he said.
The door opened, and Robert stepped inside.
He grinned when he caught sight of the two of us. “Glad to see my favorite couple is doing well.”
After what Derek had told me earlier, I wasn’t so sure about that, but I chose to ignore my doubts. Robert had done nothing to show me he couldn’t be trusted. Until he did … I would leave things alone and take his words at face value.
“What do you need?” Declan’s tone was brisk, and I didn’t miss the flash of irritation that crossed Robert’s face.
“Dia wishes to see her brother. Do you know when he’ll be returning?”
Well, crap. We were going to have to tell her.
“No.”
Robert frowned. “No she can’t see him? Or No, you don’t know when he’ll be returning?” A crease formed between his brows.
“Inarus is missing,” I said. There was no point in hiding it.
“Do you intend to find him?” The question was directed at Declan, but I answered it.
“Of course we will.”
Robert’s gaze stayed locked on Declan, still waiting for a response.
Declan nodded.
“I’ll let our guest know. She’ll want to be involved in the search.”
I cursed under my breath.
“What was that?”
“Nothing,” I gritted out. Of course she’d want to be involved. And I should want her to be. The more hands on deck the better. But having Dia involved meant I had to work with her. And I needed to do it without killing her.
Easier said than done.
“Relevant details?”
“He was abducted at Sanborn Place. Three men. They gassed out the building, knocking out the construction crew and grabbed only Inarus. Christian said their attackers were human. That’s all he could discern before he blacked out.”
Robert nodded. “I’ll bring Brock up to speed if you haven’t already and find a delicate way to break the news to Dia. You’ll keep me apprised of any updates?”
Declan nodded, and Robert left.
“Why is he so interested?” Robert didn’t like Inarus, and from what he’d told us, he was only playing Dia. So why did any of this matter to him?
“He’s scheming. The more information he has, the more he can manipulate. Don’t bother trying to figure Robert out. I gave up years ago, and it’s the only reason I’ve managed to maintain my sanity.”
I snorted. “Fine. But only because he might be able to help.” I leaned back down against Declan’s chest and watched the logs in the fireplace crackle. Inarus’ disappearance ate at me. Why would anyone take him? The only enemy I could think of would be the HAC. But why now? And why him?
The door burst open, and I jumped from Declan’s lap.
He stood at the same time, and thankfully I hadn’t tumbled to the ground.
Dia stood in the doorway, her blue-gray eyes wild. “Where’s my brother?” she snarled.
Well, that didn’t take long.
Robert strode in right behind her. “She didn’t take the news well.”
Dia sneered at him. “Of course I didn’t take the news well. My brother is missing, and you two are in here canoodling while he’s God knows where.”
I glared daggers at her. “We’ve been back for all of ten minutes. I’m not just sitting on my hands, okay? But we don’t have anything to go on right now. What do you want me to do, knock on every door and pass out a missing person poster?”
“Yes! If that’s what it takes.” Dia shook her wrist at us. “Take this off. Get this stupid thing off of me, and I’ll find him myself.”
That would have been a great idea. If only it were that easy.
“I can’t.”
“You can’t, or you won’t?”
“Can’t,” I said through clenched teeth. Though even if I could, I wasn’t entirely sure I would. I didn’t trust Dia as far as I could throw her. For all I knew, she was somehow involved in Inarus’ disappearance, and this was just a ploy for her freedom.
“Why the hell not?” Dia stalked forward and got in my face. “Do you even want my brother to be found?”
I shoved her away from me, a snarl on my lips. “Of course I want him found! But the magic doesn’t work that way. You’re bound for two weeks. There’s nothing we can do about it. It will fall off on its own when the spell has expired. Until then, you’re bound. Deal with it.”
Fury washed over her face. Had her powers been free, I was certain the entire Compound would be shaking
right now.
The hairs on my arms stood on end.
“If anything happens to him—”
“I’m going to get him back.”
“How? What do you have? From what Robert said, you have nothing.” She threw her hands in the air and stalked away from me.
I shot Robert a glare.
He shrugged as if to say, Well, you don’t.
Asshat.
“You’re right. We don’t have much. All we know is the building was gassed and three men came in and took him out the front door while the rest of the crew on site was unconscious.”
Dia froze, her eyes narrowed, and a crease formed between her brows. “Was Inarus unconscious when he was taken?”
We didn’t have any way to be sure, but Declan had been confident that Inarus had put up a fight. “We don’t think so.”
Declan interjected. “The scent trail was too heavy. There was a struggle.”
“The HAC has him.”
“How can you know?” I often blamed my mother. It always seemed like the right thing to do since she was usually the evildoer involved. But I had no evidence pointing in her direction on this one.
“The gas. The HAC formulated a special gas. It dampens our abilities.”
“How?”
“It plays with your brain chemistry. If you’re a psyker, it makes it difficult for you to send commands from your brain through your body to access your abilities. If you’re a non-psyker, it puts you to sleep. I don’t know how long it would keep a non-psyker down, but it only incapacitates us for a matter of minutes. That’s why they came in with multiple bodies. Three against one. If Inarus is anything like he was growing up, he relies entirely on his abilities. He doesn’t carry weapons. They probably did. Three armed men would be enough to subdue him long enough to inject him with an actual sedative.”
I swore. “How confident are you that the HAC is involved?” Given their past history and previous attempts on Inarus’ life, they were the only ones I could think of who’d want him, but what didn’t add up for me was the abduction.
Before, the HAC had tried to kill Inarus on site to prevent him from spilling any of their secrets. But it’d been weeks since the last attack. Why strike again when whatever Inarus knew had already been shared, and why abduct him when they could have just killed him while the others were knocked out?
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