“What about you?” asked Martin, staring at my brother. “Your blood has obviously been tainted by the lycan. Can we trust you?”
Nathan’s eyes hardened. “I didn’t ask to be bitten by a lycan, and the hell if I’m on their side. Obviously I want to free our mother and will kick anyone’s ass that gets in my way, lycan, shape-shifter, or Roamer.”
Martin nodded slowly and then grinned. “Good. I just needed to be sure.”
“You don’t have to worry about Nathan,” I replied. “He would never do anything to help Victor or even Faye.” I turned to Celeste. “You, on the other hand…”
She glared at me. “You’ve always hated me.”
“Not before you hated me,” I countered.
Martin raised his voice. “I assure you, Celeste will not be a problem. At least not while I’m here.”
I didn’t believe that, even though Martin obviously did. But, I didn’t feel like arguing with him, not if he was willing to help. “What about standing against Faye?” I asked. “Is Celeste willing to step aside?”
Martin turned to his sister. “Celeste?”
Celeste’s face fell, and to my surprise, there were tears in her eyes. “I can’t do anything to hurt her, you know that, Martin. And… she won’t forgive me if I betray her.”
“I know you’ve looked upon her as a friend over the past few years,” said Martin, his voice softening. “And I’m happy that she’s been good to you, but we need to free this Roamer. And who knows, maybe we can talk some sense into Faye. Maybe she’ll even help us with Victor.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sorry, but that woman will never help if I’m involved. She’d rather kill me and Nathan before siding with either of us on anything.”
“She’s right. Faye despises Nikki,” said Celeste.
“Why?” asked Martin.
“I have no idea,” I replied. “I never did anything to her.”
“It’s because of Ethan,” said Celeste. “Faye has always been obsessed with him. If he even looks at another female, she wants to rip their head off.”
“That’s ridiculous. Ethan used me,” I snapped. “And yet she still hates me that much?”
“Psycho,” said Nathan in a high voice.
“Wait a minute, what do you mean that Ethan used you?” said Martin, his eyebrows furrowing. “How so?”
“Victor paid him to watch over me,” I replied. “Meanwhile, I had no idea.”
“She fell for him,” said Nathan, smirking.
I glared at him.
His smile fell. “Just admit it. You wanted to have Ethan’s bats.”
“Not funny,” I replied, my face growing red.
“Hey, it wasn’t exactly your fault. He obviously charmed you.” He turned back to Martin. “Anyway, Ethan turned her into a Roamer,” added Nathan. “Because Victor originally wanted Nikki to be the lab rat for his experiments.”
“Victor told Ethan to turn you into a Roamer?”
I explained how Victor had been our stepdad, and how we’d lived with him for many years.
“And you never had a clue?” he asked, looking shocked.
I shook my head. “No. I mean, we knew he was a moody jerk at times, and traveled a lot. He always blamed everything on his job and we took his word for it.”
“Because cops travel so much,” said Nathan dryly.
“Admittedly, that was kind of weird,” I replied. “But, he always had some kind of excuse and we really didn’t think twice about it. Mom may have, but Nathan and I were actually relieved when he wasn’t around. It meant no fighting.”
“Then, thankfully, they divorced,” said Nathan. “And last summer, we moved out here. Little did we know that it was all a setup. That Victor had this elaborate plan to turn Nikki into a vampire and that Ethan was involved.”
“A Roamer,” corrected Celeste.
“Whatever,” he replied. “Obviously, you were aware of it too, Celeste.”
“I didn’t know anything about that. I just heard from daddy that we needed to keep an eye on your family. But, then he fell for your mom and that’s when everything began to fall apart.”
Martin rubbed his forehead. “How did you three end up here in the first place? In Shore Lake?”
“We didn’t know that our mother’s boss, Ernie, was a friend of Victor’s. He sent her to work here and then set us up with a cabin,” said Nathan.
“Victor’s cabin,” I added. “Which we weren’t aware of, obviously.”
“Yes,” said Nathan. “We all thought that Ernie was such a nice guy, when in all reality, he was a snake.”
“So Ethan was supposed to seduce you and then turn you into a Roamer?” asked Martin.
“Yes,” I replied. “Because Victor paid him.”
“If I recall, Ethan turned you after you were shot,” said Celeste. “How could he have planned that?”
“He got lucky,” I answered.
“Unless he staged the shooting, too,” said Nathan.
For some reason, that suggestion hurt more than anything. “I wouldn’t put anything past him,” I said softly, feeling my eyes get moist. Frustrated that I still cared, I turned away and swiped at my eyes.
“I’m sorry, but I have a hard time believing that Ethan would do something that despicable,” said Martin, frowning. “Even for money. Especially for money.”
“Why?” I asked, blinking back tears.
He studied my face, and I could tell he’d seen the tears. “Because, that’s just not him. He doesn’t play games like that and he already has more money than he knows what to do with.”
“He has money?” I asked, wondering if that just meant Ethan had done it for kicks.
“Caleb told me that Ethan’s family owned a shipping company and that he sold it many years ago and made a killing. So, he certainly didn’t do it for money.”
“Then, he’s just a sick and twisted individual,” I answered, feeling nauseous. The more I learned about him, the more I hated him.
“Maybe,” said Martin. He looked away. “I guess I was wrong about him, too.”
“Join the club,” I replied, looking down. I then began to wonder what kind of person Martin really was. From his words, he seemed like a decent guy, but was it all an act? Could we really trust him? Did we even have a choice at this point? I would never trust Celeste, but my mother had trusted Caleb, and even I had to admit, he’d made her happy and had tried protecting her. I hoped that Martin was his father’s son, and that we weren’t falling into another trap.
Nathan cleared his throat. “So… what now? We go and rescue Duncan, right?”
Martin glanced at Celeste and then at me. “Nikki and I will go to the ranch and free him. Celeste – you and Nathan wait here. Until we return.”
Even I wasn’t so sure about that. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Leaving these two alone together.”
Celeste wasn’t happy either. “You want me to wait here?” She glared at Nathan. “After what he just did to me? You expect me to stay with him?”
Martin smiled grimly. “Yes, I do. And seeing how he can take care of himself, I guess I don’t have to worry about you harming him.”
“I’m not staying here,” she replied. “No way, Martin.”
“Hey, I’m not exactly thrilled about it either,” said Nathan. He looked at Martin. “Why can’t I come with you two?”
“Because you can’t fly, and second, you need to keep an eye on Celeste. To make sure she doesn’t warn Faye,” he answered.
Celeste’s eyes widened and she looked hurt again. “Martin, you seriously don’t trust me?”
“I just don’t want you to make any bad decisions. Where is your cell phone, by the way?”
“I left it in my purse. Back at the club,” she answered, closing her eyes. She rubbed her forehead. “I should go get it.”
“No,” replied Martin. “You don’t need your phone. In fact, I’d rather you not have it.”
“Exactly. Then you can’t call her
,” I said. “To warn her of our arrival.”
“Whatever,” she replied, sitting down at the kitchen table. She put her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands.
Martin walked over to her and kneeled down. He grabbed her hand. “Celeste, listen to me. I know that you feel like you’re caught in the middle, but we have to stop Victor and make him pay for what he did to our father. That means we need all the help we can get.”
She didn’t answer, just looked past him with a pensive look on her face.
He sighed. “Just stay here and be good.”
She looked at him. “I’m not a child,” she said, pouting.
His lips twitched. “I know. You’re what, nineteen now?”
“Yes.” She drew an imaginary eight on the table with her fingertip. “Almost twenty.”
“That’s what I thought,” he answered. He looked at me. “She’s been almost twenty for several decades. It’s kind of a joke we have together.”
I nodded.
Celeste let out a ragged sigh. “Well, I guess I could hang out here for a while. Or go hunting.”
“No hunting. Not until I get back and join you,” he replied.
Her face lit up. “You will?”
“You know this area. I don’t.”
I’d heard how vicious Celeste was when it came to hunting and something told me that she was responsible for some of the deaths Maximus had told us about back in Vegas. From the anticipation in his eyes, I had a feeling that Martin wasn’t exactly a saint, either. I was surprised at their relationship, however. From the look in her eyes, it was clear that Celeste loved her brother. It gave me a glimmer of hope.
Maybe this would really work?
Martin then kissed Celeste’s forehead and I was also impressed with the affection he had for his family. Even with someone as awful as Celeste.
“Nathan? You okay with this?” I asked, walking back over to the counter, where my brother was still brooding.
He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “I guess I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
“You do. I’m not going to force you to stay with her,” I said softly.
He nodded toward the gun, still sitting on the counter. “Don’t worry about me. Go find Duncan. I’ll be fine.”
Grinning, I slid it toward him.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ethan
“Hey, you!” shouted Nikki, standing at the edge of the dock in her white nightgown with the tiny flowers. The material was thin and with the moon’s reflection behind her, he could see the outline of her delicious curves underneath.
“Nikki,” he gasped, moving toward her. Her ebony hair was blowing in the wind and she looked so beautiful, he wanted to pull her into his arms and make love to her right there.
She held up her hand. “Wait a minute.”
He froze. “Why? What’s wrong?”
With a wicked grin, she removed her nightgown and tossed it into the wind.
Groaning and aching with desire, he flew toward her, his clothing suddenly gone as well. “Nikki,” he growled, pulling her body into his. The feel of her breasts against his chest and her fingers cupping his buns was almost too much to bear. “I love you so much,” he whispered, trailing his lips across her neck.
“I love you, too,” she murmured.
He pulled her closer to his hips. “I need you so much.”
“I can tell,” she whispered, rubbing up against his erection. “Make love to me, please?”
The small contact below made him suck in his breath. He could barely contain his excitement. Ethan claimed her mouth and tried sliding his tongue between her lips, dying or a taste. It had been so long. Too long…
She pulled away and smiled up at him,
“Duncan, I love you.”
He stiffened up. “Duncan?”
Nikki stared at him for a few seconds and then her eyes widened. “You’re not Duncan.”
He stared at her in confusion. “Of course I’m not.”
Glaring at him, she pulled away. “You’ve tricked me. Don’t you dare touch me again!”
“Wait.”
“Leave me alone. I hate you,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. She began to cry, “I hate you, Ethan! I will always hate you!”
The words cut him like a knife.
Sobbing, she turned around and began to run away. “Duncan, where are you?!” she screamed. “Help me!”
***
Ethan woke with a jolt. He’d been dreaming about Nikki again, and this time she’d been sobbing hysterically and calling out for help. It wasn’t until her cries grew louder and more insistent, that he realized it wasn’t just a dream.
What the fuck?
He blinked several times, unable to believe what he was seeing just beyond his cell.
“Nikki,” he whispered hoarsely.
She was being led down the hallway by Godrick, her head bent low. She was a vision of pure radiance in such a dismal place that it caught his breath – her dark hair was down and she wore a white satiny dress that hugged her body. It emphasized her delicate shoulders, which he longed to wrap his arms around and protect. She was so incredibly beautiful, that it tore at his heart to find that Faye had captured her. Even worse, knowing Faye’s hostility toward Nikki, she was about to endure some horrific torture.
Nikki ignored him. “Why are you doing this?” she asked Godrick, her voice shrill.
Godrick yanked on the chain that was connected to her restraints. “Just shut up and keep walking.”
Duncan, also now conscious, found his voice. “Nikki?”
She gasped and turned toward his cell. “Duncan? Oh, my God! I’ve been looking all over for you. Are you hurt?”
Ethan gritted his teeth.
“No,” he answered. “What about you?”
“No, I’m fine,” she replied. She smiled at him lovingly. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
“Nikki,” called Ethan, again.
She stiffened up and then turned toward him. “Ethan? I should have known this place would have rats.”
Her vehemence startled him. “Listen to me,” he pleaded. “Whatever you think happened – it wasn’t me. I’ve been in here the entire time, imprisoned by Faye. Ask Duncan. I’ve explained everything to him and he believes me.”
“I didn’t say that I believed you,” refuted Duncan. “I said it was possible.”
Her eyes narrowed. “It doesn’t really matter, and I don’t care what you have to say, Ethan. You’re a complete asshole and ever since you barged into my life, you’ve turned it upside down.”
He forced a smile. “I know you feel that way, and I don’t blame you. I swear, though, I’m going to get you out of here –”
“Save it. I’d rather die than ask for your help,” she interrupted coldly.
The hatred in her blue eyes cut like a knife. It still didn’t deter him from wanting to save her, however. It wasn’t Nikki’s fault that Faye had poisoned her against him. And he was prepared to fight tooth-and-nail to win her back. “Hate me or not, I will get you out of here.”
“Good luck with that,” answered Godrick, smirking. “Because from where I’m standing, you’re fucked.” Then, the giant vampire turned back to Nikki and pulled at her restraints. “This way, girl.”
She stepped into the third cell and was locked inside. He thought it was strange that Nikki wasn’t chained to the ceiling like they were, but didn’t comment. If she could be spared the discomfort, all the better.
“What exactly are you going to do with me?” Nikki asked the guard, raising her chin defiantly.
From the lecherous look in Godrick’s eyes, Ethan had a feeling he knew what the guard wanted to do. Instead of saying anything crude, however, he replied. “That’s not for me to decide.” Then, without another word, he left all three of them alone.
“Duncan,” said Nikki, walking to the edge of her cell, which was adjacent to his. She smiled warmly. “Are you really
okay?”
“I’m fine,” he replied, staring at her quizzically. “Where is Nathan?”
“I’m not sure,” she replied, pulling her hair over her shoulder. “He got away, somehow.”
“So obviously it was Faye who captured you?” Ethan asked.
Her eyes shifted to him. “I followed her here and she told me that I could see Duncan if I played nice.” She turned to Duncan. “Of course I had to see you, Duncan,” her lips trembled. “I’ve missed you so much. When I heard that she’d captured you, I just wanted to die.”
“You shouldn’t have done this,” he replied firmly. “Now you’re trapped in here like the rest of us.”
“No, she’s going to let me go,” she answered quickly. “She promised.”
Both Duncan and Ethan stared at her in disbelief.
“And you believed her?” asked Ethan.
“Yes.”
“Why?” asked Ethan, shocked. “She’s tried to kill you more than once and will attempt it again. I can pretty much guarantee that.”
“Yes, but, I guess you could say we called a truce,” she answered.
Ethan groaned. Nikki was obviously more gullible then he’d thought. “A truce, with Faye?”
“Yes. We talked and I explained to her how much I hated you. She seemed to appreciate that and promised to let me go if I conveyed these same feelings to you.”
“Let me get this straight, Faye promised to let you go, but only after you broke my heart?” he asked wryly.
She scowled. “Ethan, you have no heart to break.”
Ethan’s eyes bored into her. “Is that what you really believe?”
“Of course,” she turned to Duncan. “My heart belongs to Duncan and she agreed to let him go, too.”
Duncan’s eyes widened. “She’s really going to release us?”
Nikki smiled at him. “Yes, Duncan, she is. I guess she isn’t as horrible as I thought. In fact, she’s quite reasonable.”
Ethan stared at her in disbelief. He couldn’t imagine Faye releasing either of them. And calling her reasonable? Where in the hell did that come from?
“I wish I could believe that,” replied Duncan, looking doubtful. “But, I don’t. I don’t believe anything that woman says and you shouldn’t either. Faye is a psychotic bitch who needs to be put out of her misery.”
Illusions (Night Roamers #4) Page 10