Transcend (Origin Book 2)

by Scarlett Dawn

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Finn demanded, “Tell me exactly what he said.”

  I thought back to Cassander’s words and cleared my throat, reciting with ease, “He said, ‘I have this feeling about her, a vital and personal interest in that woman. I can’t see what it is yet, but it’s just this feeling. It’s dark right now, the air around her. Ms. Carvene has the power to change my life. And I’m not sure I’ll like it’.”

  “Your memory is fucking amazing,” Finn rumbled.

  But I knew he wasn’t ‘here’ in the moment.

  His mind was elsewhere, deep in thought.

  I shrugged. “I see words like a picture in my mind. I never had to take notes when I was a student.”

  “Amazing,” he mumbled again, his brows creasing. His eyes cleared, his concentration gone. “We need to check on Poppy. Make sure she made it home safely.”

  My brows rose high on my forehead. “Cassander wouldn’t hurt her. I know that in just the few times I saw them together.”

  “Cass does what he needs to get a job done.”

  “No.” I shook my head, completely certain I wasn’t misjudging this. “I actually think he likes her.”

  “I thought so too, but I want to double-check on her.”

  “You aren’t understanding me.” I stared pointedly at him. “I think he likes her. His affection for her is what’s stopping him from doing anything bad to her. That was my very first impression of him. He wasn’t hiding his feelings very well at the time. It was almost like he needed a friend to talk with.”

  Finn’s jaw turned slack, an interesting look on the intimidating and muscled man. “That can’t be.”

  My head cocked. “He didn’t even glance at my cleavage while she was around.” I waved my hand up and down my frame. “And I’m his type, right?”

  His eyes immediately narrowed. “How do you know that? Did he hit on you before Poppy got there?”

  “No, he was too busy staring down at her in the lobby.”

  Finn took another bite of his melting ice cream, chewing with a thoughtful expression on his face. “You’re right. You really are his type. Poppy is nothing like what he goes for.”

  I smirked. “And yet, I think he still likes her.”

  “Damn, baby Cass might have a crush.” He grunted. “Tell me what he said again about the dark around her.”

  I did, repeating it word for word.

  His white brows slowly rose on his forehead in surprised shock. “She’s going to affect his life in a personal way. And not a good one.” He waved his spoon in the air. “That’s what the ‘dark’ talk was about. Not that she’s cursed like the bad pairings.”

  “Still want to go check on her?”

  “No, I feel better about the situation now.”

  “Do you want to know something else?”

  Finn grinned. “Is the gossip as good as the last?”

  It was refreshing for a tough businessman to let his shields down and simply delight in a good old-fashioned friendly conversation. No agendas. No moves of the corporate chessboard. Just…for fun. Enjoying each other’s company.

  I smirked. “Just as good.”

  “Tell me then.”

  “I think Poppy likes him too.”

  Finn blinked. “There’s no way. She’s head over heels for God. They’re a perfect match.”

  My nose crinkled as I took my own last bite of ice cream. “You may be right. But she does flirt a little bit.”

  “Seriously?” He grabbed my treat cup and spoon, throwing our trash away in the wastebasket nearby. Then he dipped back behind the tree with me.

  “Yes. She probably doesn’t even realize she’s doing it.” That made sense, thinking more on their interactions. “It may merely be an unwanted attraction. Just because you’re mated to someone doesn’t mean you don’t find other people attractive, right? Or is there some magical spell blinding people from that?”

  “There’s no spell,” Finn murmured. He stared at the tree as if it had the secrets to life carved into it. “If God figures this shit out, he’ll kill Cass.”

  He was serious.

  My goodness. “Since Cassander is the seer, only his mate can do that, right?”

  “The seer position never has a mate. That’s the seer’s own internal battle to bear.” Finn’s attention snapped to me, the mood changing instantly. His eyes glazed over with the possible future of his friend’s death. “Only the alpha king has the power to kill the seer.”

  “Then we should probably keep our mouths shut.” A man stepped around the tree into our space. He had a towel wrapped around his waist. The rest of his impressive physique was as bare as the day he was born. “Don’t you agree, Finn?”

  Finn’s eyes shuttered of all emotion, his expression a blank canvas. “Theron, how long have you been standing there?”

  “I’ve been at the park longer than the two of you. I didn’t intend to spy on you, but you came. I listened. You two talk loud enough to wake the dead, by the way.” He turned his attention to me, dark beautiful eyes scanning my body from head to toe in a cold evaluation of my person. “Hello, Mina.”

  “Hello,” I squeaked. “It’s lovely to meet you, Theron.”

  How old did he look? I couldn’t tell.

  Somewhere around twenty to thirtyish.

  My eyes widened, realizing my blunder. “I meant Mr. King.” Then I realized I didn’t know if he had the same last name as his son, born over a thousand years ago as he was. Barely stopping myself from kneeling in front of him like he was an ancient—because he was an Ancient—god, I babbled in rapid succession, “I mean, it is Mr. King, right? I would assume so, but assuming is horrible. I should have asked. My apologies. I’ll do better next time. I swear.”

  My teeth clicked as my mouth snapped shut.

  Had I really said all of that?

  The skin on my cheeks heated up.

  That. Was. Mortifying.

  Finn cleared his throat. “It is King, Mina.”

  I nodded like a broken doll with its head half hanging off, damn near down to one knee now. Perhaps I was going to kneel in front of him after all. My body currently had a mind of its own, and it kept lowering toward the ground.

  Theron grabbed my right forearm and yanked me up straight. “Are you the fainting sort?” When I didn’t respond, he jerked his attention to Finn and kept a steadying grip on me. “Is she ill or something?”

  Finn closed his eyes for a moment of peace. “I believe she’s overwhelmed by your presence.” He slowly opened them again to stare into the Ancient’s gaze. “She’s had a tough day. Give her some slack.”

  “If I give her any slack, she’s going to end up eating dirt.” Theron pushed me toward Finn, the Ancient’s hands hovering around me as if I would drop any moment. “Take her. She’s making me nervous.”

  A hysterical snort spewed out of my mouth. I grabbed onto the lapels of Finn’s tuxedo jacket, staring up into his face, hissing, “I need a break. I’m making a two thousand year old Ancient nervous. That really can’t be good. I may end up running through the park like a lunatic soon. I’ve had enough for one day.”

  The Ancient ignored my tirade.

  “You know, Finn, there was something you said to Mina that I feel needs better clarification. You understand, of course, since we’re apparently spilling all shifter secrets to this human that I haven’t seen before,” Theron lifted a finger, turning his regard to me, “but anyway, I want to point out that not all Ancients are odd because of their age, as Finn told you. There are a few Ancients who are just fucking odd and have been their entire lives.”

  I stared, not releasing the tuxedo I gripped. “Pretty much like humans, but on a larger scale?”

  “Exactly.” He shrugged his bare shoulders. “That is just life. People are not perfect, human or shifter. The problems may differ between our species, but emotions and actions never do. Like jealousy…”

  Finn wrapped his arms around me. “I get your point, Ther
on. We’ll keep our mouths shut. God won’t hear anything from us on the matter since neither Poppy nor Cass is doing anything wrong.”

  Theron nodded, pride radiating from him that his ‘pupil’ understood his teaching—I knew that look well. “Poppy has eyes. She knows Cass is attractive. And the times I’ve seen her flirt with him have been unintentional. Cass is dealing with his attraction for Poppy the best way he knows how, by being a friend to her—and that’s all.”

  Finn’s eyes widened. “You already suspected all this?”

  “I may be old, but I’m not blind.”

  I touched my foot to Finn’s, a subtle hint not to forget about my request. If he didn’t escort me away from here soon, I would find another train home. One that didn’t have a tiger emblem on the side.

  Finn stated, “We’re going to take our leave now. Mina’s ready for bed, I believe.”

  Theron’s brows lifted, his sparkling dark eyes on mine. His lips curved up on the edges in a smirk. “It’s always so much better in light of day, isn’t it?”

  I blinked. “He didn’t mean it that way, Mr. King.”

  “Theron,” he admonished, his tone severe. “I’m not the king right now. That’s my son’s job.”

  I couldn’t keep track of this man’s moods.

  So I simply agreed. “Of course. My apologies, Theron.”

  Finn dipped his head in a show of respect. “My apologies also for intruding on your vacation.”

  He waved his hand in a dismissing nature. “Just come by for dinner sometime. That’s enough of an apology.”

  “It’ll be my pleasure. Your food is always excellent.”

  “All right. Quit kissing my ass and get out of here. Your woman there is about to drop.”

  “Ass kissing done.” Finn dipped his head one more time and grinned before he led us from behind the tree and onto the walking trail. He glanced down at me, asking gently, “Are you all right?”

  “Not really.” I shook my head, leaning against him heavily. “My mind is a confused mess and my body needs sleep. Lots of it.”

  I squeaked when he lifted me into his arms, holding me close against his chest. “I can definitely walk. This is unnecessary.”

  “But it is chivalrous.” He tossed me up and caught me, laughing at my resulting shout. “How else am I to get you into my bed?”

  My lips trembled in humor. “You are relentless, Mr. Baker.”

  “Absolutely. It’s a finer trait of mine.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  I stretched as morning rays penetrated my closed eyelids. An immense yawn cracked my jaw, and I groaned. I pulled the covers up over my head, not quite ready to wake up.

  The bed was so comfy and warm, a little haven all of my own. My peaceful place where dreams emerged, taking me to other worlds or into exciting adventures halfway across the planet.

  A masculine snicker had my eyes flying open, subdued light pushing through the red blanket over my body.

  My blanket was white…

  This was not my bed.

  I curled my fingers over the top of the fluffy comforter, and ever so slowly, pulled it down to my nose, my eyes peeking over the edge. My eyes widened, large as saucers. I squeaked, “Am I in your bed?”

  Finn’s left shoulder was leaning against a doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest as he studied me. “You are.”

  “What am I doing here?” My eyes flicked over his bedroom, catching hues of navy and red. Maybe a few splashes of wood here or there. I gripped the cover tighter, keeping it over my nose. “How did I get here?”

  “You fell asleep in the train right after the park. I decided you could stay the night here, when you didn’t wake up by my bedtime.”

  “You mean, we rode around in your train all day?”

  “Yes. I had a few business contracts I had to work on, so I had my assistant send them to me there. It wasn’t an issue.”

  “Why didn’t you just take me home?” I cried.

  “You looked so damn peaceful.” He had no remorse for his actions, standing in a pristine suit as he was, ready to face a new day. “I didn’t want to wake you up.”

  My eyes couldn’t be any larger. “But my parents! I haven’t gotten my own apartment yet. I still live with them. They are going to be worried sick.”

  “I know you live with them,” he responded, with patience. “I contacted them and told them you were staying with me at my place last night.”

  I blinked.

  Then I groaned.

  I pulled the cover up over my head again.

  Finn chuckled softly. “Was that a bad move?”

  I groaned once more.

  “A really bad move?” he amended.

  “You were working on contracts yesterday, right? Well, you’ll probably have a new one on your desk this morning.” My palms landed on my face, hiding it, even though the cover did a fine job of it already. “It’ll be from my father. A nice and pretty marriage proposal for your consideration.”

  He choked, the sound dreadfully like he was trying to contain his amusement at the situation. “Well…it won’t be the first one I’ve ever received. I actually have a wastebasket just for those lovely proposals.”

  “I bet,” I moaned. “Get ready to add another to the waste. I guarantee Father will have sent you one. Bagging you for a son-in-law would be like a shooting star he could catch with a pretty, blonde net of Mina.”

  He couldn’t contain it any longer.

  His laughter boomed throughout the room.

  “This is humiliating.”

  He snorted down his hilarity. “Power hungry fathers aside, is there anything you need before I leave for work?”

  “No,” I mumbled. “I’ll leave when you do.”

  “There’s no rush. You can go back to sleep.”

  “I have work too, if you’ve forgotten.” I finally pulled the blanket down to reveal my eyes again, allowing me to look at him. But I kept it up to my nose. “You aren’t the only one employed.”

  His white brows furrowed. “Your file said you worked on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It’s Friday.”

  I glared. “That is a bother.”

  “What?”

  “I was trying to be polite and not overstay my welcome—if I even had one to begin with. You weren’t supposed to know my work schedule.”

  He smirked. “It really isn’t a problem if you want to stay. Just make sure to close the door behind you.”

  “Fine. I’ll sleep a little longer.” I was already here.

  “Why are you keeping the blanket on your face like that?”

  “You’re a shifter with an excellent sense of smell, and I have morning breath.”

  Finn’s head tipped back with surprised laughter. His chest shook with his merriment. “You are so delightful, Mina. But I already smelled your breath this morning. It’s not that bad, not as bad as mine was anyway. You were curled up against me all night long.”

  “You slept in here with me?” I asked in shock.

  “It’s my bed, my dear. And I did say I would get you in it.” He winked as he lifted himself off his doorframe. “Purchase a new bracelet today. I want to contact you. We’ll have a proper date where I can seduce you, so the next time we’re in that bed together, we won’t just sleep.”

  Monsters are real.

  Monsters are real.

  Monsters are real.

  No matter how many times I thought it now…

  I didn’t give a damn what he was.

  “Okay,” I whispered. He could hear it.

  Satisfaction passed over his features, and he dipped his head in farewell. “Goodbye, Mina.”

  “Safe travels, Finn.”

  He walked out of the room, trusting me to stay in his home while he wasn’t here. From the silly gossip pieces I read every so often, he never let a woman into his home. He always took them to a hotel or went to their place for any sexy encounters.

  Trust. He was showing he trusted me.

  The w
ay I had trusted him.

  “What?” Finn shouted, his voice far away. “God, slow down. How many golems are there?”

  A pause.

  He growled, “I’ll be there as fast as I can.”

  I jerked upright in bed. I was still wearing my evening gown. I was a damn filthy mess, but I jumped out of bed and grabbed my heels that were by the door.

  I had no clue where I was going, but I followed the sound of expensive shoes clicking on tiling—pacing back and forth. I came to a skidding halt right in front of Finn. “What’s going on?”

  He was tapping on his bracelet. “God’s house is being attacked. Poppy’s the only one there right now. She’s tough, but she faints every time she sees those damn things.”

  “How long until your train is powered up?”

  I knew he was preparing on his bracelet.

  “One minute remaining. And I’ve sent a message to all the guys. They’ll be on their way too.”

  “How many golems this time?”

  His lips pinched. “More than yesterday.”

  I stood to my full height. “I’m going with you.”

  Finn snorted. “No.”

  “It’s Poppy. She came to my rescue. It’s my turn to help her, and if she’s frightened, I may be able to calm her down. You said she faints every time with the golems. Maybe she just needs a woman to help her.”

  His severe blue gaze jarred my own. “You’re serious? You believe you can help her?”

  “I want to try. Like I said, she came to my rescue.”

  Finn considered me for a moment. “You’ll stay in the train until I tell you otherwise.”

  I nodded and bent to put on my heels. “I’m not arguing. I’ll do as you say. If it’s too dangerous, I understand.”

  I followed him as he started walking. “I thought the master-man was supposed to be unconscious for a while.”

  Finn jerked open his front door, the dawn cascading on his waiting train out front. “So did we.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The Baker Corporation train came to a stop.

  Finn pulled his suit jacket off and rolled up his white shirtsleeves to his elbows. His blades flashed in his hands a beat later. He pointed one at me, ordering, “Do not exit this train. The windows are bomb proof, so you’ll be safe. And the technology can’t be hacked, thanks to Wolfe’s update last night.”