by J. J. Bonds
“Fine. Have all the theories you want, but what is being done to locate him?”
“All of the Council’s considerable resources are focused on finding Aldo. Unfortunately, we just don’t have any leads.”
It’s clear Viktor is upset. No doubt he blames himself. I want to tell him it’s not his fault, that he did everything he could, but I can’t force the words past my lips. Aldo’s safety was—is—his responsibility. I know Viktor is the best. I know he would do anything to protect Aldo, that he’d die for him, but the pain is too fresh, my feelings too bitter, to go there just yet. I decide to change the subject. It’s safer.
“What about Crossroads?” I ask instead. “No one here will tell me anything. Has there been any word from the school?”
“Nothing yet, but you’ll be the first to know if I hear anything,” he assures me.
Damn it. Frustration bubbles up from the pit of my stomach, threatening to explode from my tongue in damaging words I don’t really mean. The urge to lash out at someone, anyone, is as strong as it’s ever been. I remind myself this is not Viktor’s fault and quell the self-destructive impulse.
“All right,” I concede, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I’m not sure what else there is to say. We are all raw and reeling from the day’s events, with too many questions and not enough answers. “Keep me posted on Aldo. If you hear anything, no matter how insignificant, I want to be the first to know.”
**********
Feeling like a pressure cooker about to explode, I set out in search of DeVanie. I want to know what his plans are beyond today. He can’t keep me locked in that suite forever. I’d lose my mind. I need to find a way to be productive, to help. It’s not in me to sit back and watch. Besides, I’m hoping he’s had word from Crossroads.
I make my way through the halls of his mansion, noting the style of the home is far more modern than the exterior suggests. No country estate here. The art is contemporary, as are thick rugs that protect the polished hardwood floors and the furniture that lines the walls.
Most of the Linkuri ignore me as they pass by. A few glance at me curiously. I wonder what they’ve been told about my presence as I stop one and ask for directions to DeVanie’s study. I’ve never been great with directions, but I find it easily enough on the first floor.
A young guard looks me over as I approach, shoulders squared and head held high. He can’t be much older than me, but judging by the smirk on his face, he looks twice as cocky. And that’s saying something.
With skin the color of caramel and pecs that any girl would die to lick just once, he’s easy on the eyes. His sleek blond hair is pulled back from his face and tied at the nape of his neck, accentuating his fine bone structure and deep brown eyes. Despite the cocky grin, he stands at attention, his feet shoulder-width apart, ready to pounce at the first sign of danger. His hands rest at his sides, dangerously close to the gun and blade strapped to his belt.
I wonder which is his weapon of choice. I myself favor the bow, but it’s not exactly practical for day-to-day use. I’m not half-bad with a blade, though, and have one tucked inside my boot right this very moment. A girl can never be too careful, especially these days.
“I need to speak with DeVanie,” I tell the guard, trying to sound authoritative, as though I have every right to request a private audience with the Elder.
“Mr. DeVanie is not available right now,” he replies, his eyes meeting mine for the first time. So not the response I was expecting. The thought of going back to my suite and staring at the wall for another couple of hours is unbearable. I try a different approach.
“Maybe you should check with him before making that call,” I say, cocking my head toward him conspiratorially. I give him my sweetest smile, the one that doesn’t look like I’m ready to gobble him up and spit him out. “I’d hate to see you in trouble, and I’m pretty sure he will want to see me.”
“And I’m pretty sure he won’t.” So much for that. His tone is even, but the light in his eyes says he’s enjoying baiting me. He knows exactly who I am. And he doesn’t care. “Please return to your suite, Miss Lescinka. You will be safest there.”
My temper flares, and this time there’s no stopping it. My pulse thunders in my ears, drowning out the voice of reason. “Who are you to tell me what to do? I don’t take orders from the Linkuri, and I sure as hell won’t be taking them from you.”
“Actually, you will,” he says, flashing me a smug grin and revealing a row of perfect white teeth. “Mr. DeVanie has asked me to oversee your personal security while you are a guest here. When it comes to your safety, I will be the first, last, and only word.”
“That’s ridiculous. This place is locked up tighter than Fort Knox!” I throw up my arms in frustration and gesture to the hall around us, which has two security cameras currently trained on us. As if to emphasize my point, another Linkuri guard passes by, escorting a fierce-looking Doberman. “I do not need personal security.”
“I’m sure that’s what your uncle thought too.”
Well, shit. He’s got a point there. Still, the idea of having a babysitter who’s two seconds older grates. It’s not like I’m going to run off half-cocked. Then again…. Maybe that’s exactly why he’s been assigned. I sigh, resigned to the fact that I’m not going to be able to argue my way out of heightened security as long as I’m at the DeVanie estate.
“What’s your name?” Might as well know what to call my new best friend.
“Lincoln,” he replies smoothly, offering me his hand. It’s soft and smooth, as expected. He gives my hand a friendly squeeze that I force myself to return.
“Katia.” He already knows my name, but years of manners haven’t been entirely wasted on me. Besides, I’ll have to get him to warm up a little if we’re going to be spending every waking minute together.
“Listen, Lincoln, I’d really appreciate it if I could speak with Mr. DeVanie for just a few moments. It’s important.”
“I’m sure it is,” he replies pleasantly, “but as I’ve told you, Mr. DeVanie is indisposed at the moment. He’s in a virtual Council meeting, not in that office.” He hooks a thumb over his shoulder at the door behind him to emphasize his point, because apparently he’s decided I’m too dense or too stubborn to understand.
“Have it your way,” I tell him, turning on my heel. “If you won’t help me, I’ll find him myself.”
He snickers, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of responding and put one foot in front of the other. “You’re just going to scour every room of the mansion looking for him?”
“If that’s what it takes,” I call over my shoulder, deciding I’ll just ignore him from here on out.
“I heard you were a spoiled brat.” He says it softly, but the words find my ears, just as he intended. No need to ask where he heard that little tidbit if he works for Alex. “I had hoped it wasn’t true.”
“Excuse me?” I ask, whirling around to face him. He’s got guts, I’ll give him that. Or maybe a death wish.
“You heard me.”
“You don’t know me,” I counter, blowing a hot breath out through my nostrils, like a dragon about to let loose a reign of fire. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“Don’t I?” He moves from the door, walking slowly toward me until there are only inches separating our bodies. His peppermint breath cools my cheek as he looks down at me, his muscles humming as they cry out for action. “From where I sit, you look like another pampered brat stomping her feet and throwing a tantrum to get her way. The shit’s hit the fan, and all you can think about is yourself. Do you have any idea what’s going on out there? How many lives will be lost if this war can’t be stopped?”
“Of course I do!” I yell, not bothering to keep my voice down. “My uncle, my only family, is missing!”
His eyes bore into me, and I realize how I must look to him with my overinflated attitude and Aldo’s wealth. He doesn’t know me, just what he’s heard, so of course he
would think I’m an overprivileged brat. There are plenty of them at Crossroads. I don’t often count myself among them, but maybe today I should. I’ve been so worried about Aldo and my friends back at school that I’ve forgotten I’m a guest here. Throwing my attitude around isn’t going to help any of them. I hate to admit that Lincoln is right, but I’d be a distraction from the hunt, and I have no valuable information to contribute at this point. I just wish Shaye or Nik would call and tell me everything at Crossroads is all right, that they are all right. They have to be.
Cheeks flaming, I tell Lincoln I’ll be returning to my suite. There’s not much else I can do.
“Did you have a message for Mr. DeVanie then?”
“No,” I say, lifting my chin and scraping together what’s left of my pride. “No message.”
As I turn to retreat, he continues to watch me. There’s no satisfaction on his face, which would be well deserved considering he just put me in my place. If I’m not mistaken, what I see is curiosity burning in those deep brown eyes.
Chapter Five
Hell’s bells! The phone on my nightstand rings endlessly, ripping me from a blissfully dream-free sleep. I roll over and glare at the digital clock on the bedside table. Obnoxiously bright, hideously green, but most annoyingly, three a.m. Who could be calling at this hour? Anyone who knows me knows I… Reality comes crashing back.
Aldo.
Crossroads.
The Order.
My heart leaps into my throat, and I grab the phone with lighting speed. Nik’s name flashes on the caller ID even as I swipe accept.
“Nik?”
“Katia, I’m sorry to call so late.” His words are music to my ears. I’ve never heard anything so glorious in all my life. Relief floods my body, and some of the tension that has leaked into my bones eases. “I’m sorry I couldn’t call sooner. It’s been a madhouse here. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I tell him, sitting up and moving to the edge of the bed. “Thank God you’re okay. I’ve been so worried. What’s going on there? Is everyone okay? Where’s Shaye?”
The questions shoot from my mouth in rapid succession, giving Nik no chance to answer. I realize that as desperately as I want those answers, I’m terrified to hear them, terrified of what I might’ve lost, what the world might’ve lost, because of me.
“It was bad.” I’ve never heard him sound so… disheartened. Bracing for the worst, I wait for him to continue. “The attack happened so fast. We didn’t have time to prepare, and the Pazitor weren’t able to hold the gate. They just came crashing through and stormed the school. There weren’t that many of them, but we just weren’t prepared for that kind of attack. The school wasn’t intended to withstand something like that.”
“How bad?”
“They were highly skilled warriors. Garcia, myself, and a few others were able to help, but half the guards were killed. Fortunately, it didn’t take them long to figure out that what they were looking for wasn’t there.”
“What were they looking for?” I ask, full well knowing the answer but needing to hear it confirmed.
“Katia, they were looking for you.”
“Why? I’m like an insignificant little spec in the vamp world!” My mind races, considering different angles as I work through the puzzle. They’ve already got Aldo. He’s the real prize, complete with wealth and power. Aside from Aldo, no one in a position of power cares if I live or die. I have no power, no money, no real connections. What could the Order possibly hope to gain by kidnapping me?
“I don’t know what they want, but I’m glad you’re safe.” His words warm me from the inside out, grounding me when everything else in my life seems to be floating in the wind, lost in chaos.
“What about Shaye?” I ask, fearful of the answer. “I…I haven’t been able to get in touch with her. I’ve left like a dozen messages.”
“I haven’t seen her, but that’s good news. Wherever she’s at, she wasn’t a casualty. I’m sure she’ll be in touch soon.”
I know he’s right. I should be relieved, but patience has never been my strong suit. Where the hell could she be?
“There’s more,” Nik tells me, weariness creeping into his voice. “They’re closing the school for the summer. All finals have been canceled.”
“First bit of good news today,” I grumble, not that I would return for summer school with Aldo missing anyway.
“That also means no graduation ceremony and no graduation ball. Jades blames you,” he says, and I can imagine his lips quirking up in a smile as he relays the message.
“Of course she does.” I sigh. So much for our newfound friendship.
“With the school closing early, I’ve been ordered to report for duty immediately so I can swear my oath.” He pauses, giving me time to process this new information. Could this day get any worse? “I leave tonight.”
I bite my tongue, cutting myself off before I can make a smart-ass comment or complain. This is Nik’s dream, and I know just how important it is to him to serve the brotherhood, that he’s risked his relationship with his parents to fulfill it. He deserves my unconditional support.
“There’s something else you should know,” I tell him. He’ll find out soon enough, but I want him to hear it from me first, to know I trust him implicitly. “Aldo is missing. The Linkuri believe he’s been taken by the Order, but there are no real leads.”
“Well this day just went from bad to royally fucked,” Nik curses, catching me off guard. Nik never swears. He’s always so cool and calm. What a strange turn of events. I’m usually the hothead in this relationship. “You must stay with Elder DeVanie until this is sorted out. You’ll be safe there.”
Is he kidding? “If they can get to Aldo, they can get to any of us. Safe no longer exists.”
He groans. “Katia, please don’t do anything rash.”
“Me?” I tease him, trying to lighten the mood. Life has gotten so heavy, like a weight crushing me from above. I can only imagine how Nik’s feeling given his latest orders. “Never.”
“I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you,” he says, ignoring my joke. He sighs again, and I feel the weight of it in my bones. Everything is happening so fast. “It may be a while before I can call again.”
“But we didn’t even get to say good-bye,” I argue, knowing that once he swears the oath it will be out of his hands. He’ll be property of the Linkuri and subject to their rules.
“It’s not good-bye, Katia,” he promises. “We’ll be together soon.”
**********
It’s nearly noon by the time I peel myself out of bed and trudge toward the shower. I give silent thanks when I find fresh clothes in the bathroom. I try not to think too hard about the fact that someone crept in while I was sleeping.
I find Lincoln standing guard in the hall when I finally emerge in search of sustenance. I wonder if he even slept. He’s wearing the same uniform as the day before: a black T-shirt with matching cargos, ass-kicking boots, weapons at the ready.
“What are your plans for the day?” he asks, falling in step beside me. I catch a whiff of peppermint and decide he must pass the hours of guard duty sucking Breath Savers. I toy with the idea of asking, but decide not to taunt him this morning since I need a favor.
“Plans?” I ask, playing dumb. “Thought I was still grounded? Sort of figured I’d be spending another day locked in my room without supper.”
“Very cute,” he retorts, cutting his eyes at me. There’s no real irritation behind them. He must be warming up to me. Silly boy.
“Actually, I’d love to get into a gym, if there’s one on-site. Sitting around doing nothing is going to drive me crazy.”
“Which means you’ll be driving me crazy.”
“Basically,” I return with a snide smile. “Just think of all the fun we can have!”
“I’d rather not.” He rakes a hand through his hair, flexing a perfectly toned, perfectly sexy bicep. I suspect he spends quite a bit of ti
me in the gym himself. “Follow me.”
I trail him into the basement, memorizing the way so I can find my way back later. Since I have nothing else to do, I plan to work out as much of my aggression as possible. If nothing else, it will keep my mind off Aldo and Shaye.
“Any news on my uncle?” I know the answer, but I have to ask.
He shakes his head, confirming my suspicion. I shrug. What else is there to say?
The gym is bigger than I’d expected and, thankfully, has several heavy bags that will soon be meeting my fists of fury. I seriously doubt DeVanie comes down here. This is probably for the Linkuri assigned to him. And today, it’s for me.
I do what I do best, diving into my workout and losing myself in the familiarity of the taxing routine. The feel of my fists meeting the smooth leather bag is like coming home, my battle cries a lullaby more comforting than any my mother ever sang. I stay for hours, working myself to the point of exhaustion, voiding my mind of worry, fear, and loneliness. I don’t even notice when Lincoln slips out. Here, in the gym, I just am.
I repeat the cycle for three days, sleeping late and spending my days in the gym where I don’t have to think about anything. I don’t have to think about three more days without Aldo, three more days without word from Shaye. My sole purpose is to prepare myself. For what, I don’t know. But whatever it is, I’ll be ready, because the gaping hole in my chest grows with each passing day, convincing me that I may not see them again.
The thought sends me spiraling, and I deliver a particularly powerful roundhouse to the bag, followed by a quick vertical punch that would be difficult for even the fastest vamp to evade. Nik would be proud. I’ve come a long way in a short time. I wonder where he is and what he’s doing. My only comfort is the knowledge that he’s safe for now; as safe as any of us can be with the threat of war looming.
“Your form could use some work,” Lincoln calls from the door, his sudden appearance derailing my focus. Arrogant jerk. I refuse to look at him on principle. I haven’t seen much of him the past few days. Guess he figures I’m well protected buried in the basement of the mansion, working myself raw. I hit the bag with a backfist. Maybe if I ignore him, he’ll go away.