by Susan Illene
Yerik glanced back at us. “It’s also very beautiful. There’s nowhere quite like the Highlands.”
The waitress took us to a less crowded area at the back of the place. Yerik let his mate slid into the booth first. The daimoun was in his kilt, as usual, but he had glamour up so anyone else would think he was wearing a jacket and jeans.
“So what’s going on?” I asked after we got settled and received our menus.
He waited until the waitress moved away from us. “I’ve moved up the timeline. We’ll be announcing our existence to the world tomorrow night.”
My body went cold. Ever since the plague had broken out I’d wanted to get this first step over with, but now that it was almost here I wasn’t sure what to think.
“Why?”
“You of all people should understand. We need the cure and we can’t wait any longer,” he replied in a matter-of-fact voice.
Lorna gave him a disapproving look, then focused on me. “What he won’t tell you is my heart is getting weak. The doctors have been adjusting my medication, but they’re concerned. Yerik just wants to make certain I see our son again before it’s my time to go.”
“Have you considered drinking some of his blood?” I couldn’t understand why they hadn’t done that yet.
Her eyes softened. “I don’t want to live forever. I’ve already watched too many loved ones go and I’m content to finish my days the way God intended.”
Fair enough. Immortality wasn’t for everyone, though I could imagine how helpless it must make Yerik feel. To know he could save her, but she wouldn’t let him.
I reached for her hand. “I admire your strength. If we can get your son back, we will.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes grew misty. “It might be selfish, but it’s the only thing left that I want.”
“It’s not selfish at all,” I reassured her.
“How are you going to announce it to the world?” Derrick asked.
A smile spread across Yerik’s lips. “You’ll all see soon enough.”
He did enjoy being mysterious. Crazy man.
The waitress returned and we ordered our food. Our conversation was light for the rest of our visit. After Yerik left with his mate I insisted on walking back, needing to call O’Connell and give him the exciting news. Derrick resisted at first but eventually left without me. I tramped through the snow along the road as I held my phone to my ear.
“You’re going to do what?” O’Connell’s voice came through loudly over the handset.
“The supernaturals will be announcing their existence to the world sometime tomorrow night. I’m not sure how you prepare for that, but do whatever you need to do.”
He let out a string of curses. “Why are you just now telling me this?”
“Because I just found out less than an hour ago,” I explained in a patient voice.
“How are they coming out?”
“No idea.” I pulled my jacket tighter against the cold. “All I know is they’ll do it in some spectacular way that will leave no doubt they exist.”
Yerik had hinted at that much during lunch.
“I need you here to help me deal with this,” he demanded.
“My daughter is gravely ill. I told you before I can’t leave her.” He’d been calling every day since we got back from the raid.
“She’s not in any hospital I’ve checked in the entire state.”
I considered hanging up on him. “She’s in a very private clinic.”
“Isn’t there some magic or something that can help?”
I sighed. “Not in this case.”
“Fine, but I expect you to call me with updates. I’ll figure out what to do from here.”
“I will.” I hung up the phone and pulled the battery.
No point in leading him straight to the clinic.
Chapter Twenty-four
I brushed a wet cloth over Emily’s forehead. She stared at me with glazed eyes and her mouth partly open. For most of the day she’d slept, but she’d been awake for the past twenty minutes. Her lymph nodes were starting to swell around her armpits and neck. The latest blood tests Paula had run didn’t look good. The plague was progressing at a rapid rate, despite us doing everything we could to slow it down.
“Mel, is this going to kill me?” she asked in a scratchy voice.
I gave her a determined look. “Not if I can help it.”
“Me, either,” Hunter said from the seat next to me.
He’d gotten well enough that we’d decided to let him stay in her room. With him getting stronger by the day, it was hard to keep him out. There were hardly any signs of the plague in him now. He was the fastest recovery case yet.
Hunter gazed down at her. “You’re going to beat this and we’re going to be together—forever.”
“That sounds nice.” She managed a weak smile.
Kerbasi cleared his throat. “I just want it noted that I’m not voicing any of my thoughts aloud during this Lifetime movie moment.”
“It’s noted,” I replied.
A wave of shocked and frightened emotions deluged my senses, coming from across the clinic. Enough to make me wince and Emily cry out.
“What was that?” Her eyes rounded.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” I stood up. “Hunter, stay with her.”
He nodded. “What’s going on?”
“It’s hard to explain, but the emotions in this place just got really intense.”
Kerbasi joined me as I went out the door. We both hurried to get through the decontamination process. I wanted to rush it even more, but I knew I couldn’t risk infecting anyone else. Kerbasi must have understood the urgency because he wasn’t even bothered that we had to scrub ourselves down naked next to each other. Normally, we left at different times.
As soon as we were dressed in our regular clothes we headed across the clinic. The emotions I sensed were getting even stronger—if possible. There was only one reason I could think of for that to happen.
We went through the door into the treatment area and found everyone staring at a TV on the wall. It had been installed there a few days ago. Those who could stand were crowding closer to the screen. I joined them and my mouth dropped open.
Yerik was on the news. Out in broad daylight in Seattle he was flying around the Space Needle, waving at people inside. This went on for another minute before he sailed down to the ground to greet the spectators and media who had gathered there. He must have been in the air for some time, waiting until he’d drawn enough attention.
As soon as his feet touched the pavement fire lit up around him. It formed a spectacular circle before snuffing out. There were two men and two women who came to stand on either side of him. They used no glamour, allowing people to see their true faces. One man was a troll. One of the women was a fairy who shrank to a size of no more than six inches tall and flew around on wings. The crowd gasped at her.
The final two were elves. Their pointed ears were clear for anyone to see. They looked up at the sky and in the next moment rain began to fall. It had been clear blue just before that without a single cloud. Even if the spectators had thought it was all special effects, they had to know that was pretty much impossible to pull off—at least not without real magic.
“Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls,” Yerik yelled out, extending his arms. “It is time you know the truth that there is more out there than you realize. All those fables you grew up reading about and believing were fiction, well, I’m here to tell you some of them were true.”
Someone screamed and others began shouting. The camera was redirected toward the crowd. Shock didn’t begin to describe the expressions on people’s faces.
“We’ve been around you all along,” Yerik continued, “but we were forced to live in secret. No more. You deserve to know the truth. Magic and the supernatural is all around you.”
From within the clinic everyone who was lucid began to murmur.
“I cannot believe
he did such a thing,” Kerbasi said, tone disgusted. “It is forbidden.”
“It’s not goin’ ta be easy coverin’ that up,” Bambi said, coming to stand next to us. Paula had finally let her out of isolation.
Lucas flashed into the room and came to stand next to me.
“That fool,” he muttered. “He’s risking his life for this.”
I glanced at him. “In case you didn’t notice, Yerik is a little crazy.”
Just because I’d known he was going to reveal supernaturals to the world didn’t mean I’d expected him to do it in quite this fashion. I’d thought he’d do an interview with a TV station or air an announcement over the radio. Not make a big display of supernatural power.
Then again, I supposed it was effective. No one would have any doubts.
Lucas gave me a droll look. “I didn’t believe he was this crazy.”
The media station switched to another scene. This one showed supernaturals I didn’t recognize in New York. It was already dark there. Vampires were flashing fangs and werewolves were transforming right in the middle of Times Square. Some people stopped to gape at them, but most kept moving along as if it was nothing. Go figure. It took a lot to faze New Yorkers. Considering the sups weren’t killing anyone, they had no reason to worry.
“And he recruited people to behave just as foolish as him.” Lucas shook his head. “There will be no coming back from this.”
“No, there won’t.” Which was the whole point.
A third scene came on the television—this time right in front of the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. Witches were performing feats of magic by making the spectators’ skin turn blue. I hadn’t even known they could do that. Who knew what else they’d done before the media turned their attention to them. Then the camera zoomed in on a familiar figure and my body stiffened.
“Micah,” I gasped. I hadn’t thought he’d show himself yet.
He was shooting streaks of lightning—also known as smiting—at the ground, charring the grass. Whenever someone got too close to the witches, he’d target their feet.
Lucas took a step closer, disbelief on his face. “Tell me I’m imagining this.”
“Um…” I didn’t know what to say.
Micah zapped another guy who tried to rush the witches with a knife.
“I’m going to kill him,” Lucas growled out.
“Wait.” I went to grab his arm, but he flashed away.
A moment later he popped up on the screen in front of Micah. Oh, damn. This was bad. I watched in horror as he punched his brother’s face on live television.
Chapter Twenty-five
Lucas
Micah’s head flew back as Lucas’ fist connected with his jaw. He stumbled, but caught himself. Lucas punched him again even harder, sending him flying back this time. His brother lay sprawled on the cement walkway and wiped at his bloody nose. Shoulder-length blond hair framed a face that looked exactly like the one he saw in the mirror every day.
“I can explain if you give me…”
Lucas grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up. “There is nothing to explain. For nine months I’ve searched for you and this is how you choose to reemerge? Where have you been?”
Cameras flashed and dozens of people gathered around them. Lucas didn’t care. All he knew was his missing brother had suddenly shown up and not seen fit to come to him first. Instead, he’d revealed himself as a supernatural to the entire world. There were no words to describe how Lucas felt at that moment. Hurt, betrayal, anger—and more emotions that had no names.
“It was necessary,” Micah said, giving him a stubborn look.
“You are such an idiot.” Lucas seethed. “There is no excuse for this.”
Micah jerked loose from his hold. “Let us go somewhere else to discuss this.”
“Where?” Lucas growled.
He knew his eyes had to be glowing gold—one more thing for the humans to notice. Not that it mattered after the feats of magic they’d already seen. The ramifications from this stunt would affect them all no matter what else they did now.
“Your condo. You still have it, do you not?” Micah asked.
Lucas took one last glance around, saw that the other sups had taken the opportunity to clear the area, and decided it was time for them to do the same. He grabbed his brother’s arm and flashed them both to the condo he owned on Royal Street. After the energy he’d used to get to New Orleans, it was best they not go far. He’d need to recharge before he could return to Alaska.
As soon as they arrived, he tossed his brother onto one of the couches in the living room. Micah pulled himself up to a sitting position and glared. His brother didn’t like to be manhandled, but he’d earned it.
“Explain yourself,” Lucas demanded.
Micah ran a hand through his hair. “It’s complicated.”
“Were you in league with Yerik this entire time?”
It would explain a lot. For how long had he suspected something was off with the disappearance and the strange leads he kept getting? He’d just been too desperate to get his brother back to question things the way he should have. Yerik had been too helpful. Lucas had known it and he’d still listened to the daimoun. Maybe he was the real fool.
Micah hesitated. “Not the entire time, but for much of it.”
“What does that mean? Were you ever really captured by Zoe at all?” Lucas asked. He was beginning to question everything he knew.
“Yes, she captured me,” Micah said, standing up to move over to the fireplace. “For two weeks I slept, but as you know the spell that keeps us under doesn’t work on us for as long. She didn’t anticipate that. I awoke trapped in the sensor compound in Idaho.”
Lucas crossed his arms. “How did you get out of there?”
“With help.”
“Yerik’s help?”
His brother shook his head. “No. Someone else.”
“How am I supposed to believe a word you say?” At this point, Lucas wasn’t certain he knew his brother anymore.
Micah gave him an ironic smile. “You could get a sensor to verify it.”
“You will stay away from Melena.” Lucas pointed a finger at him. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but she will not be a part of it.”
Micah opened his mouth and shut it. His hand gripped the fireplace mantle so tightly Lucas thought he might break it. He didn’t want to think what he’d do if his brother damaged the piece—it was original to the building and very old.
“Whether you like it or not, your mate will be involved in this.” He shook his head. “Hell, she’ll be right in the middle of it.”
“What are you talking about?” Lucas took several menacing steps closer.
“Everything has a purpose, brother. It’s time we stopped hiding and come out of the proverbial closet. Melena will be the representative between supernaturals and humans—as she’s already agreed—but she’ll also be necessary for more.”
“Did you and Yerik set that up?” he asked, ready to tear into his brother again. “Are you using my mate for your own gains?”
Micah gave him a patient look. “It will all become clear soon enough. You’ll see.”
Before Lucas could reach him, his brother flashed away. What did he mean about Melena? Had they already reached her and he didn’t know about it? Was that the reason for her reticence toward Yerik? He took out his cell phone and called her, needing to know she was alright.
A recorded message informed him all phone lines were busy. He tried several more times with no success. The news of supernaturals revealing themselves must have sent everyone into a calling frenzy. He crumpled the phone in his hand and tossed the pieces into the fireplace. Until he got his strength back, he couldn’t return to Alaska. Even if he flew it would take nearly as long to get there. His own plane was still in Fairbanks and going commercial would require many layovers.
Damn his brother and damn Yerik. What the hell had they been thinking? The thought that they migh
t be using his mate sent him into a rage. She wasn’t a toy to be played with in their manipulative games. She was the most important woman in the world to him.
Lucas grabbed the nearest piece of furniture—a square coffee table—and tossed it into the wall. The plaster crumbled, but it hardly made him feel better. He grabbed the couch cushions and ripped them to shreds. It still wasn’t enough.
He headed over to the dining room table in the adjoining room and put his fist through it. Then he tore it apart until it was unrecognizable. Finally, some of the rage eased. Enough he could take a deep breath and calm his heart.
Lucas took a look around and found the first floor of his condo in a total state of disrepair. At least he’d had the sense to avoid damaging the main structure. Heading to the kitchen he found an old bottle of brandy in the cabinet. He took out a glass and filled it with the amber liquid. It only took one large gulp to finish it. Lucas poured another and drank that one down as well.
There was nothing he could do for the moment. They’d betrayed him. The people closest to him had plotted behind his back and they weren’t even remorseful about it. And the one person who he might still be able to trust was far away in Alaska—far out of his reach.
Chapter Twenty-six
Melena
The media continued to report on the latest developments about supernaturals revealing themselves. It wasn’t restricted to the United States. Yerik had recruited sups from around the world to create big displays for humans to see—enough that the biggest skeptic couldn’t deny it.
Reactions were mixed between denial, stunned amazement, fear, and anger. Several government officials had come on the television attempting to calm people down. Now we had the president addressing the country. He didn’t seem the least bit disturbed by the news.
Yerik flashed into the room next to me.
“You certainly made a spectacle of yourself,” I said.
“It was necessary.” He gave me a careless shrug. “Humans would have denied what they’d seen and called it a trick otherwise.”