by Desiree Holt
Lose control, and you lose power.
“I’m supposed to make cookies.”
“It’s okay, Tink. You can make cookies.”
Not while my friends are killing each other. I looked off in the direction of the store, still more than ten blocks away. If I didn’t hurry, it would close. Frustrated, I looked at the boy again.
“Go tell Will and Denz to stay away from the new guy. If they don’t listen, I’ll know.”
I took my hand from his shoulder.
“Shoo,” I said, waving him toward the way I’d come. “Get going.”
The youth ran off, leaving me with his three friends. I looked at the one who’d wanted to be rude when I’d walked up. I didn’t need to touch him. His eyes told his story.
“Your mom won’t get better. And, if you don’t take your sister and leave, your sister will end up the same way.”
The kid’s mouth dropped open.
“What the fu—”
One of the other boys clapped a hand over his mouth.
“Sorry, Tink.”
“It’s okay. He’s new. He’ll learn.”
With determination, I started toward the store. Nothing would stop me from getting my flour.
ROGAN
I sprinted through the trees. My legs burned right along with my lungs. Behind me, one of my pursuers swore.
“The longer you make us run, Rogan, the harder I’m going to beat you.”
Did he really think that would motivate me to stop? I’d been on the run for weeks now, avoiding my call to duty. If they ever caught me, I doubted they would leave a single bone unbroken for my unwanted mate. I pushed myself harder.
Ahead, I could hear the drone of tires on a highway. Perfect.
As the sound grew louder, I prepared myself. I wouldn’t slow. If I did, they would catch me. Not slowing meant I’d need to be ready to dodge cars. I listened, trying to time the sounds. Fast traffic. But not heavy. I’d either get hit by something or I’d make it.
A light bounced off tree trunks several yards ahead. Almost there. I mentally braced myself as I broke through the trees. Brakes screeched. I jumped up even as my legs kept propelling me forward. The car’s hood buckled under the pressure of my foot, and then I was pounding blacktop across the other lane.
The fence on the other side slowed me slightly, but I was up and over before the trio chasing me reached the road. Ahead, streetlights and buildings gave me hope. Humans. I just needed to reach a few, and I’d be safe for a while.
I ran down the sidewalk, trying to hear something over the sound of my own breathing. Nothing. Where the hell was everyone? I turned a corner and found more derelict buildings.
Shit. I was a dead man.
A burst of laughter rang out to my left. Light came from one of the buildings as a door opened. Signs of life. I sprinted across the street and took the next left. Several blocks down, I saw a well-lit empty parking lot of a rundown grocery store. The bright storefront windows showed one guy walking around inside, sweeping.
Perfect. I sprinted straight toward it.
I’d just reached the parking lot when one of the three who had been chasing me stepped out in front of me. He grinned and crouched low, ready for me. I wasn’t that dumb. He was mated already, a strong bond. He’d kick my ass.
Skidding to a halt, I panted.
The other two men caught up. I eyed all three, wondering if I could make it to the store.
“Come on, Rogan. Give it up already,” a familiar voice said. I turned to fully face my old friend, Cael.
“Not happening,” I said.
His eyes glinted bright blue for a moment, and he sighed.
“You know she wants you punished. Why did you say no?”
“Seriously? Did you grow a vagina while I was gone? Stop talking and just kick my ass already.”
Cael’s two companions moved forward to do just that, but he held up a hand. They stopped. Damn. I eyed Cael.
“Just how high up did you mate?” I asked.
“High enough. Not as high as you could have.”
“If you wanted power, why didn’t you marry Arya?”
“Don’t be an idiot. I wasn’t asked.”
It was the truth. I would have given anything to be unasked. Pissed, I looked away.
“You still can,” he said. “She wants you punished, but hasn’t changed her mind.”
“Never.”
“What is your deal? Is saying no really worth all this trouble?”
“Every minute,” I said.
“Fine.” Cael waved his hand, and his two friends jumped me.
I fought them as best I could, but they were enhanced by the strength of their mates. Fists repeatedly drove into my ribs and face. One lucky punch to my jaw dropped me. I curled into a ball, trying to protect the already damaged areas.
“I’m going to make cookies!”
The sudden outcry stopped my beating.
Thwap. I lifted my head just in time to see a second rock hit Cael in the shoulder.
“Cookies. Preparation. Distraction. It won’t fall apart.”
I turned and looked at a young, short woman dressed in a long, prim wool coat. Her blonde hair was neatly pulled back into a bun. She would have looked just like a sexy librarian if she’d worn glasses. She didn’t though. Too bad. I had a thing for smart, bookish girls, which was a conflict with my upbringing.
Dark smudges under her eyes gave her a haunted look while her delicate features pulled into an angry scowl as another rock sailed toward my stunned abusers. My avenging angel. One small woman taking on three grown men who were kicking my ass.
“Cookies,” she said again.
“She’s nuts,” one of Cael’s men said softly.
“Nuts or not, she’s here. Let’s go,” Cael said, blocking a new rock.
The three turned and jogged back the way they’d come. I turned to glance at my rescuer.
The arm she had pulled back fell to her side as she watched the three. She dropped the rock and turned toward the store without sparing me a glance.
I hurried to my feet, wincing at the pain in my side and face, and followed her. Her prim pumps clicked on the pavement, drawing my attention to the gentle sway of her hips. I grinned slightly and winced at the pain it caused my split lower lip.
She was mumbling under her breath as she entered. The clerk looked up from his sweeping.
“Hey, Tink. What can I help you with tonight?”
“Flour, Georgy.”
She marched to the baking isle. I stayed by the doors and looked outside. Cael and his boys were waiting in the shadows at the back of the parking lot.
Shit.
I looked up at the sky, wishing for a full moon. While I didn’t have their strength, I was fast. Especially as a wolf.
“Here, let me carry that for you, Tink.”
In the reflection of the glass, I watched the boy walk from the isle, a bag of flour in his arms. The woman trailed behind him still mumbling to herself.
“Need anything, mister?” the boy called to me.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I said without turning. My refection showed the lie. A smear of blood painted my forehead from the cut on my eyebrow, and the blood from the cut on my swelling lip had crusted in the scruff on my chin. I tried to smooth my dark hair down to cover the top cut, but my hair wasn’t quite long enough.
As the boy set the flour near a register and rang up the woman’s purchase, Cael and his boys paced the dark pavement. Every now and again their pupils caught the streetlight and reflected red.
“That will be four fifty-three,” the boy said to the woman. She reached into her purse and started counting out change. The kid didn’t seem to mind her slowness. I didn’t either. I still hadn’t figured out how I’d get out of there.
“Thank you, Georgy,” the woman said, taking the bag of flour.
“Anytime, Tink. Have a good night.”
The kid went back to his broom as she strode past me
and out the door.
“We’re closing in two minutes,” he called to me.
Shit. I pushed open the door and started following the woman. She didn’t look or sound exactly stable, but in my experience, females rarely were. Her mental state didn’t matter. Her presence did. With her nearby, Cael and his boys couldn’t touch me. Instead, they watched while keeping pace with our progress.
When the woman crossed the street, I kept on her tail. Cael laughed and crossed the street a block down. They were holding their distance. For now. I eyed the vacant city lot separating us. A sign advertised a new building coming soon, but the sign was faded and falling part. Nice neighborhood. Cael grinned at me across the garbage littered space.
As soon as the next building obstructed their view, I’d cut to the right and go further into the city where I might have a chance at losing them. However, when we reached the end of the block, my pursuers didn’t cross the street. They turned the corner, coming toward us.
The woman kept walking, and I hurried across the street after her, staying close to my only protection. She had to hear me following her, but she didn’t acknowledge me in any way. Her breathing and pulse remained steady. No fear of a stranger following her? I lifted my nose to catch her scent, but the wind was blowing from behind, taking her scent away from me. No matter. She’d thrown rocks at Cael at his boys, and she’d walked this neighborhood with confidence. Somehow, I doubted I gave her much concern. Not like Cael and his boys gave me. I could hear their steps, tracking us.
After several more blocks, we passed a building where a few youths loitered outside. Two of them nodded respectfully at the woman as she passed, but they all eyed me suspiciously. She had to be local. That meant I was running out of time.
“He giving you problems, Tink?” one of the youths called.
“I’m baking cookies,” she said without halting. “Cookies. No distractions. Focus.”
She wasn’t tough. She was crazy.
“K. No problem, Tink. Come get us if you need us.”
When I turned back to see if the youths would stop Cael, I found the street empty. Adrenaline coursed through me. It was time to try to escape destiny.
At the corner, when she crossed the street, I took a step to the right. Then, Cael turned the corner down the block and grinned at me. I quickly looked to the left. One of his boys was waiting down that block.
Shit. I jogged to catch up with the woman again.
What in the hell would I do when she reached her house?
Two
TINK
The flour annoyingly weighted my arm. I could have asked the man following to carry it, but I didn’t want to acknowledge him. If I did, I would be forced to see his condition. Bruised. Bloody. Hungry.
You have a responsibility to protect the weak, the poor, and the incapable.
“No, I don’t,” I shouted back, only making my headache worse. I couldn’t keep quiet, though. I’d already done enough for him. I needed to stay focused. “I’m making cookies.”
I pulled open the apartment building’s door and stepped into the brightly lit entry. The lights all worked in our apartment building. Will changed them whenever one went out. But, flickering, dim lights didn’t help my head.
Smiling, I started up the worn carpeted stairs. I was so close to my goal, now. Finally.
The man opened the door and followed me in.
Crapballs!
Vulgar language is for men.
I rubbed my temple and continued moving.
He didn’t say or do anything, just kept pace about five steps behind me. The urge to turn around and tell him to go away gathered in my stomach. But, I couldn’t. If I saw his face, I’d pity him. He didn’t need my pity. So, I ignored him and kept climbing stairs till I reached the landing.
It didn’t matter if he followed me. My apartment was clean. I was clean. I was meticulous. Nothing to worry about. I could have company at any time.
The door to my apartment still stood open, the lights inside illuminating my home. It was a welcome sight. As was Kye, who sat on the floor by the jam.
Don’t turn your back on those who need you.
“I’ll do what I want. I’m making cookies,” I said with a smile.
Kye smiled back. “I know. Will told me. Can I help?”
“Does Shay know you’re here?”
“Yep,” Kye said, getting to her feet. “She said I could help if you want me to.”
“Come in then.” I walked inside, breathing in deeply. The overwhelming odors of bleach and cleaners stung my nose. Good.
Setting the flour on the counter, I removed my jacket and hung it next to the door. My mixing bowls were already on the counter along with all the other ingredients. Everything was in order and perfectly laid out.
Kye pulled up a stool to kneel on so she was the right height.
“You can crack these two eggs into that bowl,” I said, handing her the eggs and bowl. “Then use the whisk.”
Kye took the eggs then glanced over her shoulder at the man who’d followed us in. His dark head was bent forward as he peeked through the blinds of my living room window, probably watching for the men who’d attacked him.
“Who’s that?” she asked.
Your community will try to distract you. Stay focused. If you lose focus—
“There’s no one else here,” I said firmly, looking back down at the ingredients. “I’m focused. Prepared. No distractions.” With jerky movements, I measured out the butter and sugar.
Kye stared at me for a moment before she cracked the eggs, one at a time.
Outside the open door, a set of feet pounded up the stairs. The man moved down my hallway, likely hiding.
Kye’s older brother, Calem emerged in the doorway. “Uh, Tink…Auntie Shay told me to tell you she thinks Will didn’t listen and is up to no good.”
I curled my free hand into a fist. The voice multiplied and grew loud, speaking over itself with so many lessons that I couldn’t hear any of them. Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried to find a calm corner of my mind. There didn’t seem to be one.
“I’m supposed to bake.” Frustration and my headache had me yelling the words.
“It’s okay, Tink. I can keep mixing the dough. When you get back, you can still bake,” little Kye said.
Exhaling slowly, I opened my eyes and found Kye watching me warily.
“It’s my head,” I said.
“I know.” She shrugged her bony shoulders. “It doesn’t scare me.”
I smiled at the girl.
“Do you think it will be enough to scare the rest?
“Yep. For sure.”
“Tell your aunt to come help,” I said to Calem as I moved toward the coat hook.
“Um, Tink…what about the guy that’s not here?” Kye said.
“He cannot stay.”
ROGAN
Cael and his boys were pacing in the shadows outside the building across the street, and the woman was telling me I needed to go? Not a chance. I’d be coughing blood after five minutes in their company.
Turning away from the window, I watched the small woman walk out the open door.
“I am in control,” she shouted. “Kids never listen.”
The little girl eyed me. “You need to leave, mister, or I’ll get someone to make you leave.”
As the woman’s steps echoed on the stairs, I decided not to challenge the girl’s words. Hurrying out the apartment door, I caught up to the woman and followed her outside. She was crazy, but she was also keeping me safe.
Once again, she didn’t acknowledge me as I trailed behind her out the building’s door. The dark, quiet streets didn’t seem to bother her, either. Her determined stride echoed around us, and I glanced down at her low heeled pumps. Human females never chose footwear for stealth, but did seem to love choosing fashion over comfort. Not that I really minded the noise this time, or the view, as we crossed block after block.
The curtains that covered most of the bui
ldings’ sporadically lit windows often moved slightly as we passed. Although Cael and his boys still silently shadowed me, the streets remained mostly empty. The few people we passed nodded at the woman but eyed me.
We walked almost twelve blocks, zigzagging through a never-ending slum before a shout disturbed the quiet ahead. The woman started mumbling under her breath, and her stride quickened. When we turned the corner, we found the streets lined with yelling young men. Three stood in the street, also yelling at each other, their words lost in the din.
The woman stepped off the curb and strode straight toward the three. I wasn’t as stupid. After eyeing the guns and knives most of the youths held, I hung back near the edge of the crowd, in just deep enough to avoid Cael without drawing attention. A few of the nearest boys glanced at me but otherwise remained focused on the woman.
The crowd slowly quieted to a normal volume as she clicked her way toward the trio. They noticed the dying noise and turned. Disbelief painted the face of one of the three.
“Everyone goes home,” she said loudly before she reached them. “Now.”
“Who the fuck are you?” the disbelieving one said.
The sudden absolute hush worried me.
One young man from the other side of the street stepped from the crowd. He glanced at the three in the center then at the woman.
“My cousin just moved here, Tink. He doesn’t—”
“Shut your fucking mouth, Zepher,” the angry one said, pointing at his cousin. He turned to look at the woman. “I don’t give a shit who you are. Leave now before I decide you need to learn your place.”
Her steps slowed, and she tilted her head as if considering the foul-mouthed boy. Two of the males in the center quickly apologized and backed away. Some of the bystanders drifted away into the dark, leaving me exposed.
“Pussies! I knew you were all talk. Don’t step back in my neighborhood if you—”
“Yours?” the woman said with a laugh. “This neighborhood isn’t yours.”
Those who hadn’t left yet, did so now at a run. More than one mumbled, “Shit,” mingled with the sound of their hurried footsteps.
“Will. Denz. Escort that man”—she pointed at me—“back to the apartment. Now.”