by A C Warneke
Stupid stone.
“Let me and Toby out at the next hotel,” she said, her stomach already dipping and swaying with dread. A few blocks later, they were back in a part of the city that still had lights. Sirens wailed as emergency vehicles raced towards the direction they had come from and Malorie felt a measure of guilt for taking out the power grid. She hoped that she didn’t cause any serious damage. “Get as far from here, from me, as you can.”
“Malorie,” Scott murmured, his voice heavy with sympathy and she was afraid he understood exactly how much turmoil she was in.
Writing her number on a second scrap of paper, she twisted in her seat, reached out, and took Hunter’s cold hand in hers. Giving him her number again, she assured him, “If you need anything, anything at all, my phone number is written down on this scrap of paper. If you have any questions, call me, and if you ever want to return, call and someone will come for you in a heartbeat.”
“And if I never wish to return?” Hunter bit out through clenched teeth.
“Then don’t tell me where you’re going,” she murmured sadly, knowing the only thing she could do for him was let him go. “And live a full life. All I ask is that you listen to Scott; he knows far more than I ever will and he will help you adjust.”
“I still hate you.”
“I know.”
He swallowed as tears glistened in his eyes. “Thank you.”
“I wish I could do more,” she lamented, turning back as the car pulled to a stop and she climbed out.
Before she could open the back door and retrieve her son, Scott was there, holding the door shut. Softly, he asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“It’s already done,” she said softly, her eyes moving past the angel to her brother and her son. Deep down, she knew she had done the right thing. Her brother deserved the chance to have a normal life and not one as an Aradian slave. When the time came, and if he decided that was what he wanted, the Aradians would welcome him back with open arms.
If that was what he decided he wanted.
Lifting her head and meeting Scott’s eyes, she murmured, “Take care of him, please? He doesn’t have anything left.”
He closed his eyes as he nodded, once. Opening his eyes, letting her see his power, he said, “Of course.”
“Thank you,” she managed, choking back the tears. Silently, she stood back as he opened the back door and gently lifted her son into his arms. Without looking at her brother and without another word to the angel, she took Toby and turned around, walking through the doors of the hotel lobby. Everything was gleaming, from the mahogany wood trim to the ivory marble pillars but she hardly noticed since she was numb. When she walked up to the front desk, she muttered tonelessly, “A room for the night.”
The man behind the countered tilted his nose up and sniffed, “We’re full.”
She glanced around the empty lobby and realized he was of the opinion she didn’t belong in such a fancy establishment. Of course, she was wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt and her son was dressed much the same but there was no reason for the man to be so rude. If she hadn’t been exhausted, she would flip him the bird and find another hotel. Squaring her shoulders, ignoring the pull from holding Toby, she repeated her earlier words in a no-nonsense voice. “A room for the night.”
“I’m sure there are other hotels willing to give you a room,” he sneered, his eyes moving dispassionately over her body, landing on Toby with a grimace. “But, as I’ve said, we’re full.”
Heaving a sigh, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her credit card, the black one that had unlimited credit. Sliding it across the desk, she growled, “A room for the night and your fucking manager.”
He visibly paled as he swallowed, nervously taking the card, “Of course.”
“Mommy?” Toby’s little voice whimpered as he slowly came awake. Rubbing his eyes, he looked around the gilded lobby and frowned, “Are we back at the compound?”
“No, my sweetheart,” she crooned, never taking her eyes off the smarmy hotel attendant. As Toby struggled a little, she let him slide out of her arms, grateful that he wasn’t as adversely affected by the trip through Netherspace. His hand automatically slid into hers as he stood on his own feet.
“Miss Macklemore,” the man breathed, handing her card back with a shaking hand. “Would you prefer a suite?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I just want a simple room with two beds.”
“Of course,” he nodded.
“You have room service, right?” she asked as her stomach rumbled. He raised an eyebrow, slipping back into his smarmy mode before he caught himself. But she blushed anyway because of course the hotel had room service. She could probably order up a gigolo and they wouldn’t bat an eye. As long as she had the money, they’d probably let her get away with just about anything and the black card was proof enough that she had money.
“I need some clothes,” she murmured. At the arch of the bastard’s eyebrow, she said, “The airport lost our luggage and it’s fucking cold here.”
“Ma’am.” Another man appeared seemingly from nowhere. His smile was slightly more sincere than the smarmy clerk and by reading the name tag, she knew he was the manager. He was probably in his mid-fifties with just a few streaks of gray in his hair. Gleaming and polished almost as much as the hotel lobby, he was exactly what she should have expected. “What seems to be the problem?”
“Mr. uh,” narrowing her eyes, she read the man’s name tag. “Mr. Bowen had a slight misunderstanding earlier but it seems he was able to find a room for us after all.”
The man grimaced but his smile never faltered and Malorie was impressed. “Allow us to comp your supper tonight.”
“Okay,” she readily agreed, since free food was free food. The man seemed taken aback by her easy capitulation and she shrugged her shoulders, “I really just want to get a room, eat something and climb into bed. It’s been a long day.”
“Very good, madam,” he murmured, holding his arm out to lead the way.
“Oh, that’s okay,” she said, stepping away from him. “I can find my own way but thank you. I would appreciate it if you could send up a couple of steaks, a salad and dessert for my son.”
“As you wish,” he said, bowing his head and gesturing for the man behind the counter to fulfill her wishes.
As soon as she was in the room and Toby was settled in, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed her father’s cursed number. She grimaced as she heard the familiar words, “You’ve reached Benny’s Sub Shop. Sorry we missed your call but feel free to leave a message and we’ll get back to you when we can.”
“Fuck,” she growled, her eyes darting to Toby in time to catch his censorious look before he returned to flipping through the television channels. She closed her eyes and took a breath before leaving yet another message for her dad. “Hey. There’s been a slight change of plans and the bird will be flying with a new guide. I still need to talk to you, though, so please, please, call me.”
Malorie blinked her eyes open, instantly aware of another presence in the room with her and Toby. Pushing herself up onto her elbows, she saw Feryn’s familiar shadow in the corner, his eyes glittering dangerously as he stared at her in the dark. Her heart thrashed madly in her chest and she was sure if she opened her mouth she was going to vomit. Slowly, deliberately, he unfolded himself from the chair and stalked across the floor until he was looming over her, sucking the air from the room. Her arms gave out and she fell back until she was spread before him like a trembling virgin on her wedding day.
“You’ve broken my trust,” he said in a deceptively calm voice. There was no heat in his words and that scared her more than if he had ranted and raved. He drew his finger along her jaw and she shuddered but when she looked at his face her heart seized in her chest. His expression was tortured, as if it hurt to touch her.
“I had to do it,” she rasped, her throat dry and her words shaky. “Don’t you see?�
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He shook his head in disappointment, “The boy would have had a good life, Malorie. He would never have known want or suffering, only pleasure.”
“It’s no life for a boy,” she said, tearing her eyes away from his accusatory gaze. With a frown, she realized they were back in their rooms at the Aradian compound. It was dark but she felt rested and she realized her mind was wandering, thinking about the inconsequential to avoid dealing with Feryn. “Give him a few years to, I don’t know, to live.”
“You took out his tracking chip,” he said with heavy displeasure. The bed dipped and she rolled towards him as he sat on the bed. Not sure how he’d react, she was careful not to touch him and a flash of pain rippled over his features. “Aren’t you happy here?”
His change of tactic took her by surprise and she had to suck in a shaky breath. “Of course I’m happy but I made the choice to be here. He was never given the option. He was simply erased from his life and thrust into this alien world and treated as a prisoner. To be honest, I would be surprised if I ever hear from him again.”
Cocking his head to the side, Feryn looked down at her, “You gave him your phone number.”
“Of course I did,” she scowled, hurt that he would think she would abandon her brother to the wilds with no way of calling home.
“Why didn’t you return immediately?” he asked softly, his gaze moving over her face in tenderness and agony.
“Toby and I would have gotten stuck in Netherspace,” she said softly, finding it difficult to speak. Trying to ease the tension between them, she teased, “Besides, I’m marked. I knew that you would come after us eventually. There’s no escaping you.”
Pain flashed in his gaze before he pressed his hand against her stomach and closed his eyes. As a shudder wracked his body, her skin prickled and itched and she suddenly understood what he was doing. Pushing away from him, clawing at his wrist, she almost cried. “No, please don’t remove your mark. Please, Feryn.”
Opening his eyes, he looked at her with such desolation and despair she wanted to crawl into a hole and hide. “I’m letting you go.”
“No,” she begged, tears welling in her eyes.
“But you defy me at every turn.” He swallowed thickly as he stared past her, unwilling or unable to meet her eyes. “Don’t you wish for me to remove my claim on you?”
“No!”
“You go behind my back and betray me with your actions.” His eyes darted to hers and then quickly away, making her feel like a recalcitrant child.
“If you had listened to me I wouldn’t have had to go behind your back,” she countered. “And I’m not trying to escape, I swear I’m not. You’re just so… overwhelming, Feryn. I’m just trying to figure out my place in your life.”
“Gods, you are so young,” he sighed, shaking his head. But he removed his hand and she was able to breathe once more. Meeting her eyes, he continued, “You think you know everything and you throw yourself head first into your misplaced crusades and you’re always running away.” She opened her mouth to protest but he placed a finger over her lips. “You say I suffocate you but I can only breathe when you’re near. Maybe I should let you grow up a little bit so you don’t find me so overwhelming.”
“What do you intend to do?” she whispered against his finger, his words twisting around her heart and squeezing until her chest ached with longing and sorrow.
“I’ll no longer come for you unless you call. Or you’re at Death’s door,” he said in a soft, dull voice and a whimper slipped past her lips but her body was frozen. Standing up, he looked down at her, love and anguish making his green eyes shine in the darkness. He reached out as if to touch her but his hand fell short and she wished he would have touched her.
“Feryn,” she rasped, her tongue thick in her mouth. She didn’t want this gulf between them but she didn’t know how to fix it.
“We’ll be heading out in the morning to continue our search,” he said as if she hadn’t spoken, as if their hearts weren’t breaking. “Another key will be at your disposal but I suggest leaving Toby with his father the next time you decide to leave since they get along so well. Travelling through Netherspace doesn’t agree with him.”
She made a sound of agreement, watching her world fall apart because there were too many obstacles between them. As stubborn as he was, she was just as pig headed, especially when she thought she was doing the right thing.
He stared at her for a few more moments before he rasped, “Take care, Malorie.”
She squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to find the words that would make it right. Finding her tongue, she finally managed to whisper, “I love you.”
When there was no reply, she opened her eyes and found that she was all alone. He had left her. Rolling onto her side, she curled up into a ball and stared at nothing long into the night. She had expected fireworks and passion and, she didn’t know, hope that they’d survive this.
She didn’t expect him to let her go. Or maybe they were too different and this was always the way they were going to end.
Already she missed him, hating the distance between them, hating that she was the one who put it there even though there had been no other way.
Maybe in a few days they’d have cooler heads and they could discuss her reasons for why she let Hunter go. She wished she had someone to talk to, someone who had more experience than she had. Before, she always had her father but since this whole fiasco began he had been apart from her and she was screwing up left and right. She screwed up with Hunter and she screwed up with Jack. Even though Jack was around, he was no longer her husband, no longer her best friend, and she couldn’t talk to him about any of this. Now she was screwing up with Feryn.
It had never bothered her before how alone she was, even when surrounded by a sea of people. Since she was a child, she had always done what she had to do. If she had kept that doll when she was a child she would have gone soft and been useless in the fight against the vampires. But now, with Feryn, she knew what she was missing all of her life and it made it that much harder to be who she was, to do the right thing. If she had allowed her brother to remain an Aradian pet she wouldn’t have been able to live with herself.
Now there were dozens of babies about to be born and she no longer knew what she was going to do. The mothers were going to be allowed to raise their children but was that enough? The women were enthralled by the Aradians and would be willing to do whatever was demanded of them. Maybe, she could make all of them see reason and they would let the children live a normal life in the human world, let the infant Breeders make the choice when they were old enough to make such a choice. She would even compromise and allow the tracking chips so the Aradians could keep track of the Breeder children.
No, she was being selfish because those babies were her brothers and sisters and she didn’t want to lose track of them. Even though she didn’t know Hunter very well, she still felt the ache of his loss deep in her gut. She would have loved to have gotten to know him better but she never had the chance and now she doubted she ever would. Hopefully Scott was going to be able to guide her brother through the complicated world and help Hunter understand things Malorie would never understand.
None of it mattered, though, not if Feryn ended up hating her for being who she was, if he released her from their bond and truly set her free. He loved her for now but he didn’t understand her and she didn’t think he loved her enough to tolerate her perceived betrayals much longer.
Was a Breeder destined to forever be an Aradian pet? Was she simply too young, too naïve, to ever be his equal? Was there any hope?
Her humanity rebelled at the thought that she was little more than a kept animal but then she wasn’t sure how much humanity she had left. Since meeting Feryn she had nearly died twice and everything had been flipped on its head. When she was with him, she felt whole but she didn’t like the idea of relying on anyone for her happiness, for her peace of mind. She had spent her entire life being responsi
ble for so much that the thought of letting any of that go terrified her. As much as she wished she could lean on Feryn, let him shoulder some of her burdens, she was afraid of what would be left of her if she did.
What if she was wrong about Varick? What if she got Feryn’s hope up only to discover Varick was good and truly dead? That would be awful and she wasn’t sure they would be able to survive the crushing despair if her dreams turned out to be false.
Gasping in horror, she sat up abruptly in a panic. If Varick was truly gone, then Feryn was going to think she had set him up for the sole purpose of freeing Hunter. He was going to despise her because she had taken advantage of the situation to do precisely that and there was no way Feryn could know she had been absolutely certain in her belief that his son was alive.
“Please, please let Varick be alive,” she prayed to the silent night as tears filled her eyes. As much as she wanted Varick to be alive for Feryn’s sake, she knew that she had a very selfish reason as well.
She didn’t want Feryn to hate her.
Chapter 11
Rinsing her mouth out with some water, Malorie slumped against the sink, wishing the morning sickness would go away. For the fifth morning in a row since Feryn walked away, since she drove him away, she had been sick, sicker than ever. Nearing the end of her first trimester, she prayed to whoever was listening that the rest of her pregnancy wasn’t going to be so miserable. It hadn’t been anywhere near this bad when she had been pregnant with Toby. But, then again, Toby had a human father, not some arrogant half-alien.
She missed the stubborn bastard and wished he was around to comfort her as she struggled to keep her food down for the baby’s sake. Of course, neither of them was willing to budge in their beliefs and maybe it was for the best that he was giving her some space.
She still missed him.
Lifting her head, she stared at her reflection, wincing at the dark circles beneath her gray eyes. She looked like death and felt only slightly better. Between the bizarre dreams, Feryn’s memories, and the baby, she was barely getting any sleep at all. She would have thought with Feryn gone she would have gotten more because he wasn’t there to distract her with his kisses, with pleasure, but now she could barely fall asleep at all.