Live Wire (Blue-Eyed Bomb #1)

by Amber Lynn Natusch

I swallowed hard and nodded, still unable to think far beyond the well-being of Gabe. Even if he’d lived, I wasn’t sure he would survive the knowledge that I had essentially killed his mother. He’d certainly never forgive me for that.

  Nico pulled the rusty iron handle of the door and slid it open sideways, exposing a massive open expanse of what had once been a factory of some sort. Now it was home to the PC boys of Chicago, and temporarily, my father.

  We walked in without announcing ourselves, knowing that would have only been a formality. They all would have heard us coming long before we arrived on their doorstep. The industrial nature of the place had a certain charm, even if it seemed unlivable. Rusted pillars, broken windows, and a questionably sound wooden floor seemed to stretch on endlessly. Occasionally a couch or chair could be seen—some evidence that the place was inhabited—but for the most part, it looked exactly like what it was. An abandoned warehouse.

  “I see you found the place without difficulty,” a low, sultry voice called out from somewhere in the depths of the place. My blood ran cold at the sound.

  Muses.

  “Don’t start with your patronizing shit,” Nico replied. “It's been a long day.”

  “Me?” Muses answered, stepping out from behind a massive pillar. “I wouldn’t dream of such a thing.”

  “Where’s Sean?” Alek asked, referring to our father by name.

  “In a hurry to face your punishment?” Muses asked, practically beaming at the thought of watching us suffer.

  Such a prick.

  “Muses,” my father’s voice boomed from even deeper in the space. “Do not presume to speak for me.”

  Muses turned and gave a slight bow to the darkness behind him.

  “My apologies.”

  “Nico. Alek. You are to go with Muses. Leave Phira where she is. I will deal with her alone.”

  I could feel the tension in my brothers, who were flanking me. Neither wanted to leave me to my fate. I reached down and slipped my hands in theirs and gave them a squeeze, then told them to go. That I would be okay.

  Still they hesitated.

  Then, from the dark of the warehouse, my father emerged, looking every bit as commanding as I knew him to be. Tall, strong, handsome, and deadly, he strode across the weathered floor as if on a mission. And I knew what that mission was.

  “I see Phira’s defiance has spread to you now, has it?” he asked, stopping about twenty feet away from us.

  “You guys need to go. This is my music to face, not yours.”

  “I let you come,” Nico said, his eyes pinned on our father.

  “And I manipulated Nico into thinking it was his idea,” Alek added.

  I looked up at each of them, their stern profiles highlighted by the fluorescent lighting high above us. It made their features look harsh and angular. It made them look like our father.

  He stepped closer still, closing the distance between us, stopping halfway. From there I could better assess his expression. When I saw the bottomless depths of his black eyes staring me down, I knew I was in far more shit than I could have ever imagined.

  “Phira,” he called, his voice nearly menacing. “Step forward.” I took a deep breath and did as he ordered. “Do they speak the truth? Was this indeed their idea? Their foolhardy, reckless idea?”

  I shook my head.

  “No. It was mine, and I am so sorry.”

  I couldn’t help but choke on my emotions. Once again I was a failure in my father’s eyes. Once again I was little more than the family disappointment.

  I hung my head low in shame, hoping for his retribution to be swift. I could feel his rage growing within him. It would only be a matter of time before it boiled over.

  The wood floor creaked in protestation as he stepped slowly—methodically—toward me. I braced myself for what was to come.

  And something did, though it was not what I expected.

  Instead of punishment, I felt two large arms wrap tightly around me, pulling me into an embrace unlike any I had received from him since the incident in Colorado.

  “My sweet girl is all right…”

  With tears stinging the backs of my eyes, I looked up to find him staring down at me, his eyes as green as fresh spring grass—the same color as those of my brothers. The dark-eyed monster was gone, replaced with the far more humanized side of my father. The side my mother was responsible for bringing out of him.

  “I have to tell you something,” I said with a strained voice.

  “I will hear it all on the way home, Phira. For now, let me hold you as you used to let me.”

  I paused for a moment, letting his words sink in fully.

  “You thought I’d pushed you away.”

  He nodded once.

  “I know things were hard for you in the wake of what happened in Colorado, but—”

  “That was all my fault. All of it. I feel like I’m going to have to spend a lifetime apologizing to everyone who crossed paths with me in those two years because I was a heinous bitch,” I said, pulling away from him so I could see him better. “Knowing that you were ashamed of me only fueled that fire, but that’s not your fault—”

  “Ashamed?” he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. “I have been many things in my lifetime, Phira, but ashamed of you isn't one. I may not have been supportive of all your…coping mechanisms, but I have never been ashamed of you.”

  My tears escaped, rolling down my cheeks in a steady flow.

  “I can control it now,” I said, forcing a smile. “Something happened when I was gone. I was stripped of my power. But once it came back to me, it's as if it settled into me better. Like I no longer have to fight to contain it. It’s just sitting in me, waiting to be called out.”

  His eyes widened.

  “You truly are your mother’s daughter, aren’t you?”

  The rhetorical question made me smile.

  “In more ways than one, it seems.”

  “Does this mean you have a mini-Scarlet in there somewhere?”

  I laughed.

  “I guess so. I’ll have to come up with a name for her like Mom did. And I’d better make it a good one because I don't think we want to see what would happen if she doesn’t like it. Her wrath is kind of epic.”

  “I’d like to hear more about that,” he said, smiling down at me. “I’m also quite curious about the sudden solidarity amongst you three. I have to say, I find it rather refreshing. I’ve been hoping you would stand as a united front one day.” We both looked over at Nico and Alek, who stood stoically. “I’m anxious to get you home now. Your mother—and Scarlet, surprisingly—have been in quite a state since they were made aware of what happened. I’m not sure that she will forgive me for keeping her out of the loop for the short time I did, but…”

  “She always forgives you,” I said, leaning my head against his chest.

  It rumbled with laughter beneath my cheek.

  “Not easily, but she comes around eventually. That was before you were born, of course.”

  “The good old carefree days, right?”

  “Something like that,” he said, putting his arm around my shoulder to usher me toward the boys.

  As we made our way there, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the stairwell outside the PC’s home base. All four of us turned to see who was heading our way. TS appeared in the massive entrance; and he was not alone. Beside him stood Gabe, looking as though he hadn’t almost died earlier that day.

  “I could not leave him behind,” TS began to explain. “It seems as though his family magic did not die with his mother and the eradication of her enemy. Instead, it passed on to him.”

  “Gabe!” I cried, darting past my brothers toward him. With only two or three feet to go, I launched myself into the air at him, clinging to his neck once I crashed into him. He caught me with ease, pressing me against him.

  “Good to see you too, Trouble.”

  I stayed where I was for longer than I should have, but I d
idn’t care. I was so glad to see him alive that nothing else mattered. Turning my head, I found TS looking at me, his expression one that I couldn’t understand. One I had never seen on his face before. I tried to reach out and read his aura, but for whatever reason, I couldn’t. It was as if he suddenly didn’t have one. How he looked so pained yet felt nothing was beyond my comprehension.

  “So you are the one that kept my Phira safe?” my father asked, approaching us. I slid down Gabe’s hard body until I reached the floor, then turned to see which version of my father was headed our way—the green or black-eyed one. Gabe stood strong against my father’s approach, his shoulders square, his chin high.

  “Yes, sir.”

  My father stopped right in front of Gabe, eyeing him tightly.

  “Did you manage to keep your hands to yourself in the process?” he asked, startling Gabe. His eyes were wide as saucers as he looked at my father’s murderous expression. It was clear that he knew a wrong answer would cost him. “I’d hate to have to remove them for you if you did not.”

  “Dad—” I started before he shot me a sideward glance, cutting me off. Fear shot through me for a second until I saw something I hadn’t seen for years. A mischievous twinkle in his eye.

  The corners of his mouth started to curl up into a smile that he seemed unable to withhold. Then he erupted into laughter.

  “You may keep your hands for now,” he said, extending his toward Gabe. He took it, though I could feel his wariness as he did. The two shook hands for what seemed longer than necessary until Gabe pulled away.

  I guess he was the first one to blink.

  “I do not know how to repay you for what you’ve done, but if you are in need of something, ask. I will do all I can to see that your request is granted.”

  “I’d like to know more about what I am,” Gabe said, a sadness tainting his tone. “My mother…”

  “His mother sacrificed herself to help save Phira,” TS added, finishing the thought Gabe could not.

  My father’s expression softened at the news.

  “But I thought,” I started, my words trailing off. I couldn’t force myself to say aloud what I had done.

  TS shook his head.

  “It was not you, Phira. The second you jumped into the Anemoi, she fell.”

  I forced a tight smile in response, unable to shake the feeling that what he’d told me wasn’t completely true.

  “You may stay in the care of the PC until you have the answers you seek,” my father said, putting his hand on Gabe’s shoulder. “And I am sorry for your loss.” Gabe nodded, unwilling or unable to reply.

  “But what about the farm? Jinx?” I asked, knowing how hard it would be for him to have to walk away from both.

  “I’m afraid that is not possible,” TS answered for Gabe. “The property was destroyed out of necessity—to cover up the incident.”

  “And Jinx?” I pressed, swallowing hard.

  “I told TS about Cheryl,” Gabe explained, forcing a sad smile. “She’ll take good care of him. I’m sure of it.”

  “There is a lot to explain about how we have covered things up, but they don’t need to be told now,” TS added. “Agreed,” my father said. “Now, Sapphira, it is time to get you and your brothers home. Your mother will be fit to be tied by the time you return.”

  “What of the disturbances in Iowa?” Nico started, stepping forward from the group. “Has that problem been dealt with?”

  “No,” my father replied, looking at his oldest with a sense of pride.

  “Should we not deal with it then?”

  “Yes, I guess you should. You, Alek, and the Fates can head out there in the morning. I imagine the problem can keep for another night.”

  “What about me?” I asked. “I’d like to go too…”

  Bright green eyes fell upon me, sympathy plain in my father’s gaze.

  “Phira, you have been through much. You need to rest—”

  “I can do this,” I pressed, though respectfully. “Let me prove that I can do this. All I’ve ever wanted was to show you that I belonged—that I could bring something to the PC—and now that I have control over what I am, I can.” He looked down at me, his brow furrowed in contemplation. “I know you’re used to protecting me, but I don’t need that anymore, I promise. My other half seems to be pretty on point with that.”

  “You should have seen her,” Alek added. “I’ve never witnessed such courage. Such a display of power. You need not fear for her safety, Father. She can take care of herself now.”

  “You’d bet her life on that?” my father countered, his attention turned to my middle sibling.

  “Yes. I would.” The finality of Alek’s tone gave my father pause. He knew that Alek was the smartest of us all, and he had always respected his opinion in matters. It appeared that this occasion was no different.

  “Fine,” my father sighed. “But I will let you call your mother and explain.”

  I chuckled lightly, thinking of how postal she was going to go when I told her the game plan. My father was about to be in a world of hurt when he returned empty-handed. My mom’s temper was known to be a bit erratic, if not volatile at times. And if she unleashed her inner wolf on him, shit would get interesting real fast.

  “Deal,” I said, lunging forward and wrapping my arms around his waist.

  “I’m getting soft in my old age,” he said with a laugh.

  “You’re old as fuck,” Nico pointed out inelegantly. Our father laughed harder still.

  “A point you’d be wise to address with a bit more respect. Now, if we are all set here, I shall return to the east coast. You will all stay here in Chicago until the Iowa matter is resolved. Let me know if you need any further assistance or resources.”

  “We will,” I said, pulling away from him.

  “Be careful, Phira. You’ve been sheltered from all the evil in this world. I’m about to let you run with the beasts in the wild, and it doesn't sit well with me.”

  “Don’t worry, Father. I’ll come back ruling the pack,” I said with a sly smile. It earned me one in return.

  “We shall see.”

  With that, he made his way past us all toward the massive entrance. My father was not one for prolonging the inevitable, nor was he one for overt displays of affection. His goodbyes were utilitarian at best. He’d already surprised me with how much softness he’d shown in front of the likes of Muses, who I knew was lurking about in the shadows spying. I didn’t expect any more pomp and circumstance.

  He’d almost disappeared into the stairwell when TS spoke.

  “What of my presence?” he asked, halting my father. For once in the time I’d known him, he’d failed to consider a part of a plan. “Phira technically no longer requires my services.”

  I looked over to TS, shocked by his words, even though they were true. In fairness, it shouldn’t really have surprised me that he was itching to escape his detail—but somehow it did. I searched his face for some shred of evidence as to how he felt, given that I still could not read his emotions.

  All I could see was his stern profile, his jaw flexing wildly.

  “What would you choose for yourself?” my father asked.

  “I would choose to stay, if that were acceptable to you.”

  My father assessed TS from across the room, his eyes narrowed. He had a way of reading people too, though he had none of my mother’s empath abilities. It was impossible to hide something from him.

  “Then stay. Aid in this investigation. And keep her safe, though your constant companionship is no longer necessary.”

  TS nodded before giving me a quick sideward glance.

  “As you wish.”

  The squeaky slide of the warehouse door yanked me from my disbelief. I snapped my mouth shut and looked away from TS, who seemed rather entertained by my reaction to what he’d done. Clearly I needed to work on my poker face.

  “So…now what?” I asked, looking at my brothers.

  “Now,” Mu
ses called out from the shadows behind us, “you get settled in. I hope you’ll be staying a while, Sapphira. A long while.”

  “You are a seriously creepy motherfucker, you know that, right? Like disturbingly creepy.”

  His laugh that bordered on the edge of sanity only furthered my observation.

  “Living quarters are upstairs,” he said as he approached. “And it just so happens that there’s an empty room next to mine.” He leered at me like he had somehow forgotten we were related.

  “Who’s this guy?” Gabe asked, walking over to put himself between my approaching uncle and me.

  Muses stopped short, his serpent’s smile widening at Gabe’s act of chivalry.

  “Now that is just precious. Truly. But I can’t help but wonder, Sapphira, if he knows the real you. The one that I know.”

  “You don’t know me, asshole,” I countered. “If you did, you'd remember that I was your niece and you’d stop being such a shady fuck.”

  He laughed.

  “The Greek pantheon was hardly above incest, my dear. The rules of the contemporary world hold no weight over me, though I must say that you’ve misread my intentions.”

  “Really? Because I can spot lust from a mile away.”

  “Oh, I lust after you, Sapphira, but not all of you.” He stepped closer, ignoring Gabe’s presence entirely. It was only when TS started to move toward him that he paused, shooting him a hateful look. “I crave your mind, just as I do your mother’s. And I will have my way with it one day.”

  “Not a chance,” I said, stepping out from behind Gabe. “You had your shot once. You’ll not get one again.”

  His smile returned.

  “We shall see about that, niece. We shall see.”

  With that, he turned and made his way back to the depths of the room, then disappeared through an exit door.

  “He seems like a fun time,” Gabe said. His deadpan delivery evoked hearty laughter from the lot of us.

  “Muses is an acquired taste,” Alek explained. “But I would do my best to stay out of his reach, if I were you.”

  “Like literally?” Gabe asked, turning to face my brother. Alek nodded. “Good to know.”

  “We should get set up,” Nico said, heading toward the door Muses had just used. “We need to get briefed on what’s going on in Iowa soon and prepare to head out tomorrow. We don’t have a lot of time.”