I fell over his shoulder. Everything went fuzzy as I tried to calm my breathing. My body warmed over from the release and then pain shot through me like pieces of glass. This wasn’t enough. Leo would never be enough.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Loud alarms were ringing through the Haven.
I lifted my head to meet Leo’s eyes. He hopped up with me and scooted my dress down as he set my feet to the floor.
“It’s okay. I have secret tunnels we can go through—just follow me.” I had no idea where we were headed but we froze when voices in the hallway sounded. Leo pulled a heavy piece of metal from his waist. Why was I the one always left without a gun? After this I was investing in a garter holster and packing my own heat. He pulled me behind him just as the door flopped off its hinges.
Alexander and Shane.
Every nerve in my body stood at attention. It scared me to death how much this man called to my soul. Anger flared at his betrayal and reminded me to keep my emotions off of my face. Although, seeing him stand there soothed me. It felt like it had been years since I had seen him last. My body still ached for his touch and craved his attention. I had it. His eyes swept over me in a thorough check before he noticed anything else. The territorial gaze that followed did not go unnoticed.
“Stay behind me, Layna. They just want to hurt you.” Leo’s words echoed his bravery but I could taste the fear. Smart. Looking at the two perfect statues of men that guarded the door, I stayed in place. Their purpose was not clear to me yet. Did everyone know Alexander had traded me, or was that his dirty little secret? Was he pretending to be here to rescue me now, or had they come for something else?
“You fucking piece of shit. Is that how you get women, by holding a gun to them?” Alexander’s anger bounced off of the walls. I watched his eyes take in the scene. My skimpy dress with tiny hard buds standing at attention, dinner on the table—oh, and the red cheeks. I watched silently as the pain screamed across his face. He cared. It hurt him to see me with another man. The puzzle pieces did not fall together the way I imagined. I wanted to feel good about hurting him, but it only hurt me worse. I felt like a tramp.
“No. I get them by protecting women from dickheads like you. You’re not taking her.” It touched me to realize that even though Leo had his faults, he did care about me. A tinge of regret crept in as I realized I had to go. Leo had saved me. Many, many times. Memories of sitting with him over pizzas and movies painted the picture of our friendship. He had always been there for me and in this place I would betray him. It would never be enough to be here with him. Not when I had been brought to my knees and crushed from loving Alexander. My heart squeezed. I loved him. Oh…this was not good. Even so, staying with the Hunters was all kinds of wrong and it would never work for me. Their propaganda was toxic. Right then, I knew, whatever else I was, healing was in my blood.
“Lies! You fill her head with lies. She doesn’t need protection from us. We are here to save her from you and your kind. Death and poison, that’s what you bring to the world—did you tell her what you do at all those spill sites? You’re the one that causes them!” The lines of anger that crossed Alexander’s face made me think he wanted to say more, but a quick glance at Shane indicated our need for a fast getaway. I could sense a lot of Healers. I wondered how many had been injured trying to save me again. More pain and hurt. I had to figure out a way to stop the hurt I inflicted everyone.
Time to snap to action. Leo was distracted making fuck you faces at the two men at the door. He would never expect danger to come from behind. I knew it would only take a flick of my wrist to disarm Leo—he would never see it coming. I popped the back of his knees with mine and he lost grip on the gun. I caught it and brought it towards him.
“I’m sorry, Leo. I can’t be this. I don’t want to hurt people.” And then I hit him over the head with the butt of the gun. Kind of ironic, huh?
I ran to Shane and stood in his protective range.
His face registered complete shock. A thousand thoughts flashed through his face. I didn’t even turn to see Alexander, but I could smell him. His scent kissed over me and I shivered, fighting every urge to not jump on him and make sure he was real.
Shane’s voice shattered my thoughts with his harsh but welcome words. “We came to fucking rescue your ass. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
I followed Shane and Alexander tagged behind. I could feel him, but we never touched. Shane disarmed a few stragglers on our way out, but we finally made our way back to the vehicles in the dark. I took in the scene around us as we traveled through the damage that had been done in this rescue.
“How many are gone?” Of course I had meant Healers. But Shane seemed to know that.
“A few injured that I know of, but no one down. This wasn’t even a good fight. I don’t think they expected us.” The question in his voice let me hear his puzzlement, even though I couldn’t see him as he continued to guide me through the brush. I kept my lips closed, but silently knew why they weren’t expected. The Healers didn’t know about Alexander and Leo’s agreement. Part of me wanted to yell at him and out him right here in front of everyone, but the other part of me did not want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how upset I was. Goosebumps tingled as cold draped over me. I walked in the dark in a skimpy dress with no under garments. Brilliant. I looked up and saw Scyrus waiting.
I ran to her full speed. She gripped me in a hug, and tears just fell down my cheeks.
“Thank you.” They were the only words I could get out over the large lump in my throat. There was a crowd gathered now as we stood around the vehicles nestled in the wood just beyond the Hunter’s Haven. They all touched me. At first I was confused, but then I felt it. Their healing energy. All of them were gifting me with some of their healing. My heart squeezed so tight I thought it might burst with all the love. And then he touched me.
It was from behind, but my body recognized his touch immediately. The power of it almost tore away my anger and I chose that moment to step away. It seemed to speak loudly to those around us. I would explain later, but not now. The healing energy consumed me and I just wanted to rest and hide away from the pain that touching him ripped from my heart.
“We need to get the hell out of here. We can talk in the car.” Scyrus’ voice called us all to attention. This was not a safe place to be for very long. Alexander and Shane went towards the first vehicle. I stayed behind with Scyrus.
“Can I ride with you? Please. I just can’t be around him now.” Confusion crossed her face but she nodded at me. I went to climb up in the car when I glanced to him.
Alexander’s gaze made my soul ache. I just didn’t have the energy to talk to him yet. And I did not feel safe in a car with him. That was what got me in this situation to begin with. Trust. I knew better, but I had let my guard down a little and it shook my entire body on its axis. Sobs threatened to take over my being.
I climbed into the car behind Scyrus. I curled up in the back seat, tucked safely against her.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Her worried voice pierced the silence.
A sudden jolt forward and I knew our vehicle was moving.
“I don’t know.” What was there to say? It hurt to think about it all.
“Do you know what happened?” Her question made me think for a moment she knew about Alexander’s betrayal.
“What happened when? Are you talking about Alexander?” I lifted my head for a moment to stare ahead through the windows. That was his car in front of us. So close. I could feel him.
“I’m talking about how we found you. How Alexander found you.” Of course he knew where I was. Asshole. Did he make them all think he was some kind of psychic now?
“You’re bonded.” Her stare implied that I should understand the gravity of what she just said. Truthfully, I didn’t have a damn clue.
“I’m not following.” Just in case the confused expression on my face wasn’t enough I wanted to be clear with my words as w
ell.
“It means you belong to each other. Some Healers are lucky enough to bond with someone. It means their souls are together for eternity. You can find each other anywhere.” She looked so happy for me.
“You know this how? Just because he knew where I was? I’m sure there were other ways he could have found out that information. What if he and Leo were friends?” This was not a good conversation. It made me feel hope and I did not want to hope when I still remembered what if felt like to be broken.
“I just know, Layna. Trust me.” Yeah sure.
“Right now I just want to get back to the Conservatory and talk to Iostus.” I needed to talk to someone about what was going on. Apparently everyone just trusted Alexander. In fact, he was probably the one that got Trevor and Irena hurt.
“Were Trevor and Irena safe? At the rescue mission, I never found out what happened.”
“They weren’t hurt. It was a set up. Somebody wanted to lure us there to get you. That’s what we think happened. Cuts and bruises, that was the extent of the damage to any of us, except you. We’re just not sure yet who—” All of our bodies lurched forward from the sudden stop.
“Sorry ladies, just a friendly reminder from our heroes up ahead that I’m on their ass.” A toothy grin was visible to me through the rearview mirror, but not much else in the dark.
I whispered to Scyrus, “Who is that?”
She burst out laughing and spoke loudly. “That’s just our chauffeur. We might have to replace him if he can’t drive properly.”
I gazed at Scyrus and realized she got a little more than excited over her game with him. Wonder what that was all about?
“You know damn well I drive properly, sweetheart.” Southern. Definitely from Texas. And he sounded like he was flirting. A grin tugged at mine and Scyrus’ lips. I’ll just bet he was a good driver. I’d have to pepper her with questions later about that.
“You were saying?” I wanted her to get back to that night.
“We haven’t found out for sure who the traitor is. I don’t think it’s a Guard.” Staring at her eyes, I felt like she’d left out something.
“But you do have an idea?” I knew she did. Her body language spoke much louder than her words.
“There are others that live in the Conservatory, besides the Healers and Guards. It must have been one of them.”
“Like the magic users. What do we call them? Witches?” An idea formed in my head.
“Yeah, we do have magic users. That’s what we call the good ones. Witches work for the Hunters.”
Tabitha
She was tied to this somehow. I felt it in my bones.
“Since they’re all the same, even though we have different names for them, are any of them related? Or friends? Surely they are aware of each other.”
“It’s possible. What are you thinking?”
“I just happened to meet an old friend at Leo’s. She’s a witch and she had been tracking me for a long time. In fact, I got the distinct feeling she was a part of this plan.” Scyrus didn’t say anything, but I could see the dots connecting her head. She knew this was a good lead.
“Wyatt, park at the cottage.” So, our driver’s name was Wyatt. I wondered if he was wearing cowboy boots.
“What’s at the cottage?”
“That’s where Iostus is at this hour. We need to talk to him about your witch friend.”
We came to the gated entrance of the Conservatory. I started to think about the word. Conservatory. In archaic times, it meant a place where things were preserved. I was a part of this Order to preserve. We preserved the inherited gifts of our human bodies to heal.
The vehicle in front turned right and we went left after going through the gate. Immediately a cell phone rang.
“Yes.” Wyatt’s smooth words emanated confidence.
“The ladies want to see Iostus. I’m sure they’re up to no good, but I think Justin and I can handle it.” Small pause and I could clearly hear Alexander’s voice. “I’m not sure that’s the best idea. Hold on.” With one hand on the steering wheel, Wyatt passed the phone behind him and it came back to me.
“Layna, it’s for you.” I could have sworn I heard amusement in his voice. My pulse quickened and I tried to relax. Maybe it was Shane.
“Hello?” The pause on the phone felt like forever. I heard an intake of breath and knew it was him. I had to get over this.
“I’m coming. I’ll be there in a minute to escort you in to Iostus.” And he hung up. Funny, he didn’t ask if I wanted his help. Or even remember the last time I was left in his care I ended up in bed at Leo’s house. I passed the phone back up and noticed we were parked.
“Aren’t we getting out?”
“Alexander wants us to wait for him.” His words were clipped, probably in frustration at waiting.
I decided to get out.
Justin and Wyatt jumped into action to follow me.
“Love a girl that doesn’t follow rules.” Wyatt’s chuckle silenced me from any insult that dared escape my lips. He was a funny guy.
We started towards the cottage. The dark wood panels that coated its exterior made it subtle in the night sky. Only two soft lights on the porch hinted at someone’s presence outside waiting for us.
My bare feet skidded to a stop as I clutched the black heels that had covered them earlier. The tight fitting fabric suddenly made me very uneasy. I didn’t want to be dressed like this in front of Iostus. He was fatherly.
A screech of an old screen door alerted me to an enclosed porch area on the side of the house.
“Just Layna. The rest of you can wait outside. I know Alexander will be mad. Tell him I’ll deal with him later.” The sheer command in his words dared anyone to argue.
I walked in and took a seat in a wooden patio chair. My lack of panties had me a little concerned for splinters. The dress was short and consisted of extremely thin fabric.
Grateful for the dark I began to speak. “I think one of our magic users worked with the witches.”
I explained everything I had seen and done at the Hunter’s Haven. Iostus sat silently and listened. He only chimed in to ask questions or affirm anything I said. As I relayed everything about Tabitha, my chest tightened and it became difficult to talk. It wasn’t just Tabitha. It was everything. The lies, the manipulations. Was anyone being honest with me?
Iostus leaned forward and put my hand in his. We had been silent for a few minutes, but I had only just realized it.
“It’s alright to lean on Alexander, Layna. He was meant for you. Borrow his strength. You don’t have to always be this strong.”
“Did you know he and Leo had an agreement about me?”
“I can only imagine the type of agreement he made with Leo. He probably promised to kill him quickly if he returned you swift and safely.” His hand started to rub warmth into mine. It soothed me like hot chocolate on a cold day.
“No. He gave me to Leo. He traded me for something he wanted.” Shame colored my words. I knew I shouldn’t be the one to be ashamed, but I felt it nonetheless.
“Are you sure about this?”
Why did he sound so calm? Had he heard me correctly? “Leo told me. Why would he lie?”
“Is it really so hard to believe that Alexander is unconditional in his feelings for you? Why is it so easy for you to distrust him? All Leo had to do was tell you that, and you believed him. Did he have any proof?”
Well, no. But I wasn’t going to affirm that out loud.
“You know the truth, Layna. Through your bond. Use it, and you will find your answers. Although, I think you already know the truth. Do you know why it took us so long to find you? You had locked yourself up so that even Alexander couldn’t reach you. It was miraculous that he still could track you. I can sense your anger, but it is being hidden behind this façade of reason. You are mad at him and scared. But it’s not because you think he traded you, is it?”
Good lord, he sounded like me talking to my patients. So I thou
ght through my fears again. He left me.
“Alexander left me.” The words came out of my mouth, but I didn’t even realize they were there.
“Yes. He did. And I think he will regret that every day for the rest of his life. Can you forgive him, or will you always run away when you get scared? Bonding is permanent, Layna.”
Iostus let go of my hands and stood. I began to follow him and he spoke again as he opened the door.
“Do not worry about the magic users. We will find Tabitha’s mole. I’m sure our people can find a link between her and one of ours. Go sleep, my sweet.” And he placed a kiss on my forehead.
I stepped out to be surrounded by a group of Guards. Alexander was immediately to my right. Even with my eyes closed I would have known him. Raw. It was the only word that came to my jumbled mind.
They all headed towards the vehicle and I kept walking. I needed to walk this off. A long walk would wear me out for the much needed sleep. I felt the command of Alexander’s words as he spoke to other Guards and joined me on my walk.
We were only about a five minute walk from my room. I wondered if he had been sleeping there while I was gone—or had he already moved on? I glanced up to see the stars. This far out, the sky sparkled with glitter. Just then, something wet kissed my face.
It started as a drizzle and then it poured.
We walked until I forgot what it meant to be dry. It turned out there were certain times when lack of underwear was a good thing, and this was one of them. I stopped in front of my building to turn and say goodbye and I saw the hungry look in his eyes and his sudden intake of breath.
I laughed.
Not intentionally. It was one of those things that happened when I got nervous. Seeing him all hard and manly and ready to devour me got me a little jumpy.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me to his face. Water ran everywhere as I squinted my eyes, but there was no mistake when I looked at him.
“Is something funny?”
“Yes. It’s funny that I’m scared of you. You, the one person that I was supposed to be able to trust!” Anger rose to my shoulders and I embraced it. Mad was good.
The Healers Page 23