Breaking the Storm

by Sedona Venez

  “You don't have to. I'll do it for you,” Knox said, flanked by three of Ryker's enforcers. He started removing his jacket and the crowd parted curiously.

  Luke smirked. “Déjà vu! Haven't we done this before? I believe last time it ended with you losing the girl.” He looked at me slyly. “I believe that this will end in the same way.”

  I stepped between them. “I think not, Luke. This has to stop.” I nodded toward the enforcers. “Can you please escort him out before Knox does something that I know he won't regret?”

  “Storm, step out of the way,” Knox growled.

  I wrapped my arms around his waist. “No! Not this time. I don't want to see you all over the evening news. Let Ryker's guards throw him out.” They shoved Luke.

  “Don't touch me. Do you know who I am?” Luke hissed.

  One of them said, “We know who you are. You're an ass who's making a scene. Now either move on your own or be carried out. You decide.”

  Luke brushed off his jacket and then looked at me coolly. “I'll see you soon, Storm.” He walked away, his head held high.

  Knox nodded toward them. “Ensure that he gets out.”

  “On it,” they both said in unison, walking quickly after Luke.

  Knox turned back to me with icy eyes. “What was that all about?”

  I rolled my eyes with exasperation. “I didn't invite him, Knox. So stop with the caveman tactics.”

  “It didn't look like you were trying to stop him from practically pawing you either,” Knox said quickly.

  “Okay, I'm not doing this. First, I'm not your girlfriend. Secondly, despite the obviously low opinion you have of me… I only sleep with one man at a time. Third, if you don't trust me, then there’s no point in taking whatever this thing is any further.”

  His eyes narrowed. “You don't leave me feeling warm and fuzzy when you’re fucking ex-boyfriend shows up to my damn party, pawing my property.”

  I looked at him incredulously. “Is that right?” I asked flatly. “I'm not your property.” I sighed heavily. “Damn, just when I thought we were making progress, you take us fucking five steps backward.” I was tired of having to explain myself. My eyes narrowed coldly. “Knox, it's hypocritical to talk about me trusting you when you’re unwilling to trust me. Please let me know when you’re willing to do that and take whatever this thing we have going on to an acceptable level of civility.” I shook my head with disappointment before walking away with a heavy heart.

  CHAPTER 8

  I awoke with a start when my bed tilted. My eyes were too heavy to lift after spending a sleepless night working late just to take my mind off my argument with Knox. It wasn't a productive night. In fact, it was kind of depressing. I had gone through my laptop, trying to figure out what records the thief had stolen.

  I looked over at Light who was extending a large mug of coffee that smelled absolutely scrumptious. I sat up, crossing my legs yoga-like before snatching it greedily. I looked at her accusingly. “Where did you go last night? No support as I lay out like some buffet table—and no support when Luke the Stalker made an appearance,” I said snappily.

  “Holy shit! Luke?” Light leaned back with wide eyes. She shook her head. “Sorry, Storm, I got a call from Reason. She had a lead, or so we thought, on the thief. So she swung by to pick me up so we could chase it.” She sighed. “It turned out to be a dead end.” She kissed my cheek. “You know that I’d never leave you hanging like that.”

  I knew that. I was being a bitch. “Sorry, I'm just jittery about everything. I had an argument with Knox and had his driver take me home. I ended up going through the records to see exactly what was stolen, which was pretty much everything of importance. I got an instant headache.” I sighed heavily. “Not to mention we have a ton of voice messages with irate clients complaining about that reporter asking them uncomfortable and embarrassing questions about Celina.”

  Light snapped open the newspaper on her lap. “Well, I don't think that you're going to like this, then.” She handed over the newspaper. “Turn to page five.”

  My eyes widened as I read it aloud. “The rich and famous rocked by Credence O. Corporation scandal. After the recent unsolved murder of Celina Rouse, employee of Credence O. Corporation, a confidential informant has reported that the headquarters of Credence O. Corporation, alleged image consultant to the rich, was robbed. Stolen items include a black book containing the clientele names, powerful and influential figures in politics and entertainment, including ultra-wealthy families. A source has come forward providing a copy of their client list. Among the names on the list, none other than mega rock star Knox Gunner.

  “Is this robbery linked to Celina's murder? And is there any truth to the rumors that Credence O. is running a little bit more than an image consultant company? Several calls have been made to Credence O. and their alleged clients, but so far, no calls have been returned.”

  I literally wanted to throw up. “Bloody hell! The business is ruined. No wonder none of the escorts returned my calls.” My cell buzzed and I immediately recognized the number. “Hello, Ryker,” I said tiredly.

  “I gather you read the newspaper this morning, so I'll get straight to the point,” Ryker said coolly. “We have issues to talk about. Needless to say, the Other Council is not pleased with the recent developments. I expect you and Light at my penthouse in an hour.” He hung up sharply.

  I scooted off the bed. “We've been summoned. The Other Council is screaming bloody murder and now we have been summoned by Ryker to provide answers we don't fucking have.”

  “This is not happening,” Light said testily.

  “I'm afraid it is. I'm going to take a shower,” I said tiredly before walking into the bathroom. For the first time in years, I fought not to break down in a fit of hysterical tears.

  * * *

  The elevator opened directly into a grand foyer leading to a magnificent living room and dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows that hosted panoramic views of Central Park and the city.

  Bones’s face was the most solemn that I've seen since meeting him. “Follow me.”

  Light and I walked into the luxurious penthouse side by side, not uttering a word. We followed him past an impressive collection of artwork into a large living room with a small gathering of wolf-shifters standing around. All eyes focused on us. Ryker turned around to look at Light. His eyes lingered on Light curiously; then he turned to me.

  “Men, leave us. I need to have a private conversation with the Credence women,” Ryker said without taking his eyes off of us. The men stiffened and an uncomfortable hush came over the room before they left reluctantly.

  “Ryker, I know what you're going to say,” I said flatly.

  He tilted his head as he considered me. “No, you don't, Stormy. You have no clue about the shit storm that’s brewing as we speak.”

  “We do, Alpha,” Light snapped.

  He looked at Light sternly. “I would advise less tone and more humbleness for your current predicament.”

  Light arched a brow. “We're not your pack minions. So my advice is that you tone down that bass in your voice, Alpha.” She plopped down into a chair, crossing her arms defensively.

  His mouth twitched into a smile. “No fear, I see. That's what happens when you’re sober. And judging from the last time I saw you, that's not too often.”

  Light looked at me with outraged eyes. “Storm, I don't care if he is Alpha. I'm not dealing with this jackass. Handle him.”

  I held out a placating hand before saying, “Look, Ryker, what would you have us do? The documents are gone. And we did everything in our power to prevent such a situation.”

  He regarded me coolly. “I'm disappointed you didn't come to me with the fact that the documents implicating Others were stolen.”

  I sat down beside Light, crossing my legs calmly. “Come on, Ryker. This is bullshit.”

  “No, what's bullshit is that I have my own pack business to deal with and now I have to deal with t
he influx of fucking complaints from Other families demanding immediate Council action.”

  “And what action is that?” Light asked.

  “Closure of Credence O.,” he stated firmly.

  “They have no right, Ryker. This is bullshit! They have been chomping at the bit to close us down for centuries,” I snapped.

  “And your carelessness has given them the ammunition to do it. This is all your doing. Information has been stolen. The exposure of what we are could be next. Don't you think the Others have a valid concern?” Frustration was written all over his face. “But lucky for you, I'm a fair man. I've convinced the Council to conduct an investigation before rushing to judgment with the full understanding that after the conclusion of such an investigation, if Credence O. is found guilty of negligence, it will mean closure of Credence O. Including a hefty fine and expulsion from Other society.”

  “Why don't you just order us to be executed while you’re at it?” Light spat.

  He glared at her. “As the bearer of the Sword of Souls, that possibility is not off the table,” he stated flatly.

  Shit! This situation was going to get real ugly. “Just so we're clear, we’ll fight any move to close us down or expel us. So this investigation better be conducted by a neutral party.” I looked at him coldly. “We have many enemies among the Others and I’d hate to have this process contaminated and us railroaded by centuries of unfounded hate.”

  His eyes went cold. “If you’re implying I’m among your enemies”—he looked at Light, then back at me—“then that couldn't be further from the truth. But I have a responsibility as leader of the Other Council to ensure order is kept. This investigation must happen. I also have a responsibility to my pack. We are already going through troubling and dangerous times with an impending war. I cannot risk further damage by exposure of our kind. Fix this!” Abruptly, he turned his back, staring through the window without another word.

  I shrugged at Light before we hustled to leave. His voice stopped us at the elevator.

  “And Fae-witches… I’d advise that you go visit that reporter. Convince him using any method you deem fit to cease his dangerous investigation. His meddling is adding tension to a very contentious situation.”

  * * *

  I ended the call quickly, looking over at Light with a smile. “Reason got his address.” I punched it into the GPS, letting it take us to a not-so-great part of Manhattan. We pulled up to the house, looking at each other apprehensively before hopping out of the car.

  “Okay, so what's the plan?” Light asked as we walked to the stairs.

  I shrugged. “We find out what he wants and take it from there. I have a feeling there's not much that we can do to stop him from digging. But if we warn him of the folly of printing something without substantial evidence, we might have some leverage.” When we got to the door, I held Light back when I saw the door cracked open. My senses were ringing off the hook. Something wasn't right. I nudged it open with the tip of my shoes. “Come on.”

  The brownstone apartment was very quiet and that's when we noticed the total disarray of the apartment. The place was torn apart. Papers were scattered around, the furniture was ripped to shreds, and glass was everywhere. And last but not least, Jeff Hunter was lying facedown in the middle of the living room in a pool of blood.

  I rubbed my eyes. “Damn! Someone got to him first.” I kneeled down by his body when I saw the paper clutched in his fist. Pulling it out carefully, I examined it. “It's a copy of our contract.”

  Light seemed on the edge of hysteria. Taking her face in my hands, I stroked her hair, bringing her back from the brink. “It's going to be okay. Let's get the documents and leave.”

  Light swallowed hard, nodding her head. “Okay.” She moved away from me quickly and started picking up the scattered papers with jerky, disconnected motions. Her ability to maintain some semblance of sanity was getting worse. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

  I walked around, quickly picking up all of the papers in my path. “Hurry, get everything.” We fanned out, snatching everything that we saw. “Let's go.” We ran out of the apartment like the hounds of hell were at our feet.

  CHAPTER 9

  Leafing through the stack of documents we found at Jeff Hunter's apartment led to nothing but more questions. It was absolutely useless. “These are all copies,” I said while feeding the documents into the shredder. “We are so fucked right now. The thief still has the originals.”

  Light's fingers fumbled the glass of water, splattering it everywhere. “As far as we know, they could be creating handouts for the news media,” she responded. “This is not good. And no one can convince me that all of this is not connected.”

  “I don't believe in coincidences.” Running my trembling fingers through my hair, I racked my brain for a rational explanation, which was an exercise in futility. Nothing was logical about the Others. “This just feels all wrong… like somehow we're not connecting the dots.”

  Light gulped her water thirstily. I knew that she wished it was numb-inducing alcohol, but she was trying to keep a clear head, an effort I respected. “We should start by making a list of our enemies.” She pursed her lips. “With the Gildens at the top.”

  I bit my bottom lip. “I'm pretty sure it's not them. We have more dirt on them than they do us and they know it. Besides, exposing us to humans would be bad for business, something neither of us wants. No, this seems too calculated.”

  “But that's what the Others do, hide in the shadows and plot. A prime example is the war brewing between the shifters. There's been a peace treaty between them for years… then bam! Out of nowhere it's raining shifter bodies.”

  “Since when have you been interested in Other business?”

  Light shrugged. “Since bodies started piling up at such alarming rates that humans are even noticing. It's just dumb.”

  Pushing away from the desk, I walked over to the window and stared. “Dumb?”

  She snorted. “Yes… dumb. It's like they forgot what happened centuries ago when Others were openly hunted and killed by the few humans who knew of our existence. And you know what happened to them. Others banded together, exterminating all of those whacked-in-the-head humans.”

  I smiled at her. “Look at you. My very own Other historian. Nice!”

  She rolled her eyes. “Okay, whatever. All I know is that if bodies continue to drop, humans are going to figure the shit out. And poof… there goes the veil of Other secrecy. Exposure central.”

  As I paced back and forth, a thought was forming. “Exactly, it doesn't make sense. Others don't like attention. Can you imagine the chaos if humans find out that we do exist?”

  “Total anarchy. Never mind the fact that history would repeat itself with humans hunting Others and Others hunting humans. It would create a clusterfuck extinction of all races.”

  History. Something about the word kept echoing in my head. “Last night, Luke said something that bothered me. He was rambling about something about history repeating itself.”

  Light shrugged. “Maybe he was talking about you and him.”

  I looked at her like she had lost her mind. “Highly unlikely. No, he had this real snarky look on his face like he was dying to let me in on some secret.”

  “He was born with that snarky, elitist look on his face.”

  “No, I'm pretty sure it’s something else.” There was something about him showing up out of the blue that was bothering me. That compounded by the crazy history remark. If this was about history, then I knew where to start. A place I never wanted to go—the Credence library. With trepidation, we walked out of the office and toward the library immediately off the gallery at the front of the house. I just stared at the dreaded, heavy mahogany door and portal to the scary library.

  Taking a calming breath, I punched in the door code. Then I pressed my thumb over the custom-made lock. The lock whirled, delivering a quick prick to the fleshy skin of my thumb, sampling my blood for entry.
We took a step back when the lock clicked.

  “What are you looking for?” Light asked.

  Pushing open the door, I shivered as the cold air in the temperature-controlled room brushed against me. “Answers.” The dark, expansive room was quiet except for the whisper of air circulating. The floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined every surface of the walls.

  Light shivered. “It must be real serious if you decided to woman up and come back after the alleged”—she did air quotes—“incident.”

  I shot her an annoyed look. “There's no alleged about it. That woman was standing in here looking at me.” I shivered when I thought about that day from hell. I was only thirteen when as clear as day, I saw the back of a strange woman walking into the library. Naive and yes, just plain stupid, I followed her into the library only to find her standing over the Book of Mirrors.

  I recognized her immediately when she turned to look at me, pointing to the book as she whispered, “The truth shall set me free.” I literally wanted to piss in my pants from fright. But instead, I ran out of there screaming bloody murder. No one in my family believed me then or now. But I know who I saw… Solista. And there was something in that book she wanted me to see. Now I was brave enough to find out what.

  Standing before the ornate pedestal was intimidating at best. But touching the large, antiqued, brown leather journal lying on top of it sent a shiver down my spine. This was a treasure that had been passed down throughout the centuries—the Credence Book of Mirrors. I ran my fingers over the gold filigree attached to each corner of the book. Then I traced my finger over the gold Celtic dragon carved out of real gold that was framed in the center. It filled me with awe. Centuries of Credence women had scribed their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in this book—each woman adding on, preserving the rich history of the bloodline. Opening it carefully, tears welled up in my eyes at the first name signed at the top of the page—Solista Credence.

  Light rubbed her eyes tiredly. “Storm, you're wasting your time. Grandma Solista was declared insane.”