by Olivia Black
“I’m just trying to cooperate with the FPA,” Garrett muttered.
“And we appreciate it.”
Garrett rolled his eyes heavenward. He closed the front door and headed toward the stairs. Evan watched him, until he disappeared, before walking directly to Garrett’s office. It felt a little too personal to sit behind the man’s desk so Evan made himself comfortable on one of the other chairs.
He scrubbed his hands down his face and blew out a heavy breath. Out of all the cases he’d worked, this one was becoming one of the most irritating. There was no evidence and he didn’t seem to have any answers to countless questions. Leaning his head back, he stared up at the dome ceiling, running his eyes over the exposed beams.
“Garrett asked me to come down here,” Dennis said and Evan sat up straight, focusing back on the moment at hand. “What can I do for you?”
“I have a list of former coven members.” Evan held out the piece of paper. “I’m hoping one of the names might stand out to you.”
“Of course.” Dennis took the paper from Evan’s hand and sat down in the chair beside him. “I know pretty much everyone on this list.”
“Did anyone leave the coven under negative circumstances? Was there a fight of any kind? Anyone kicked out?”
Dennis pulled his lower lip into his mouth and bit down. He looked at the list, his brows drawn together as if he were concentrating. After a couple of minutes, Dennis said, “There are a few people that were kicked out of the coven, but nobody talks about it anymore.”
That definitely peeked Evan’s interest. This trip might not be a bust after all. “What happened? Why were they kicked out?”
“Deák Erno. He’s a Hungarian vampire that moved to New York City looking for a fresh start in the New World. He wanted to be the coven master and tried to turn the coven against Fabian. Before an uprising, Fabian banished him back to his home country.”
Evan made a mental note of Deák’s name. The man was a good suspect. He could want revenge on the coven for not following him. Evan would need to check to see if the other vampire went back home when he was banished or if he was still in New York biding his time until he could become the next leader.
“Okay. Who else?”
“Blaeing Audrson is one of the oldest vampires I’ve ever met. He’s a Viking. He was kicked out of the coven after Fabian found out that he’d been bleeding humans dry. In those days it was considered blood lust and he was banished.”
Evan nodded. Blaeing had just become a suspect as well. The centuries old Viking was capable of killing with his bare hands and the vampires were all bled dry.
“The other name is Devin Caliar.”
“Reyes’s brother?”
Dennis nodded. “There were a lot of rumors surrounding Reyes and Devin’s relationship.”
“What kind of rumors?” A sick feeling twisted Evan’s gut. He wasn’t sure if he really wanted to hear about Reyes’s past from Dennis’s point of view.
“That they were a little too close, if you get my meaning. I don’t know if they were intimate, but a few coven members thought they were since they shared a bed some nights. Their relationship made some of the elders uncomfortable. Fabian thought it would be a good idea for Devin to leave, mostly for the young man’s own safety. Fabian sent Devin to a clan in Europe. He told everyone to let Reyes believe that Devin left on his own.”
Evan was shocked. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Reyes believed that his brother had abandoned him when in actuality the coven had sent Devin away.
“Did Fabian ask Devin about his relationship with Reyes?”
Dennis nodded. “Devin wouldn’t answer any questions. He gathered his things and left although he did say he’d be back for Reyes.”
“Did he ever come back?”
“Not that I know of.” Dennis shrugged.
“Thank you for your time.” Evan stood up and grabbed the piece of paper, shoving it into his pocket.
His mind was spinning as he left the mansion.
Evan climbed into his Porsche SUV and started the engine. He sat there for a few minutes, listening to the steady rumble of the engine, as he stared out the windshield. He had three suspects and each of them had reasons for wanting revenge against this coven. Damn it! Evan gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. Reyes’s brother was on the short list of possible suspects.
How was he going to tell his True Match the truth about his brother? Devin had been kicked out of the coven over rumors, and Reyes was never told. He’d just assumed that his older brother left him in New York City all alone because he was too needy and dependent, but that wasn’t true.
Evan picked up his cell phone and dialed Axel. The phone rang only once before the lion shifter answered. “Yeah.”
“I’ve got three names. I need everything you can find.”
“Go ahead.”
“Deák Erno. Blaeing Audrson. Devin Caliar.” He spelled out each name.
“Got it.”
“Thanks.” Evan disconnected the call.
He put his vehicle into drive and pulled out of the stone driveway. He didn’t head back to the condo or FPA headquarters. Instead, he drove around the city for a while, needing to clear his head.
Evan really hoped that Reyes’s brother wasn’t responsible for killing members of his former coven. It would crush Reyes.
Fabian was wrong to send Devin away without consulting the FPA and without investigating the rumors. Vampires as a whole were known for keeping secrets. They liked to handle everything within their tight-knit community which meant that there were a lot of wrongs committed without the FPA’s knowledge. He would never understand the need for secrecy.
The Federal Paranormal Agency was built to help paranormals yet they were feared. It made his job a lot more difficult.
* * * *
Reyes woke up alone. Climbing out of bed, he went in search of Evan, but soon found a note on the floor outside the bedroom door. Evan had gone back to work. Disappointment tugged at Reyes’s heart. He’d just found his True Match. It would’ve been nice to wake up in the man’s arms.
Letting out a sigh, Reyes went in search of some clean clothes. He needed to get his cell phone and let his coven know where he was. Or maybe he should just get a cab and head back to the mansion. He didn’t want anyone to think that he’d been killed. They were already so stressed out which was understandable considering the circumstances.
He strode into Evan’s walk-in closet and started opening drawers. Reyes grabbed a pair of blue jeans and a black T-shirt. He got dressed before finding his socks and shoes. Before he left, Reyes found a pen and wrote Evan a quick note. He didn’t want Evan to worry about him. Reyes left the note in the same place Evan had left his, right outside the bedroom door.
Walking to the elevator in the entryway, he pushed the call button and waited until the doors slid open. Reyes stepped into the elevator. He pushed the button for the lobby of the condo building, and the doors closed. The elevator dropped rapidly and Reyes gripped the metal bar that wrapped around the interior of the elevator.
When Reyes stepped out of the elevator, he looked around at all the beautiful glass art pieces, hanging from the ceiling and bolted to the walls. The lobby looked like a garden of glass. The sun’s rays streamed through the windows, making the colors of the blown glass dance around the large white space. Reyes shuffled his feet as he walked toward the exit, enjoying all the art work.
When he reached the exit, the doorman opened the large glass door leading to the outside world, and Reyes smiled.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Have a wonderful day, sir.”
As soon as he stepped outside, he was surrounded by the sounds of New York—honking horns, sirens, and crowds of people rushing in every direction. The sun was shining and a cool breeze rushed past Reyes, ruffling his hair. He glanced up and grinned.
It was another beautiful day. Instead of hailing a cab, Reyes start
ed walking down the sidewalk, keeping pace with the people around him. The coven mansion was only about six miles away and with the weather, Reyes decided to just walk. As he walked, thoughts of Evan filled his head. I found my True Match. He still couldn’t believe that he’d met Evan. It was funny. He’d stayed in the city hoping Devin would return, but instead found the man meant to be his.
Reyes scanned the crowd. His brows drew together when he saw a familiar face. Everything around him came to a screeching halt. He tilted his head, surprise turning into elation. The image of Devin inside his mind was of a younger version, before Devin stopped aging, but he still looked exactly the same.
He was here. He was back in New York City.
“Devin.” Reyes breathed out as he smiled. He couldn’t believe he was seeing his older brother, but here he was, standing right in front of him. “I’ve missed you so much.”
He threw his arms around Devin’s shoulders, pulling him in for a tight hug. Moisture filled his eyes and he sniffled. Reyes hadn’t seen his brother in years. It felt like part of his heart had returned, mending back together, to become one piece. The pain from being alone slowly melted away. He’d found his True Match and now he had his brother back in his life. Reyes couldn’t wait to take Devin home to meet Evan.
“I’ve missed you, too,” Devin whispered against his neck. “It’s been too long.”
Chapter Nine
“I’ve been looking for you.” Reyes stepped back. He wiped his eyes furiously, banishing the tears. “Where have you been? Why did you leave me?” He had so any questions running through his mind that he felt slightly dizzy.
“I’m sorry, Rey-Rey.” The little pet name brought a smile to Reyes’s face. It took him back to a time when the two of them had been dependent on one another. They were more than brothers, they were best friends. “I want to take you somewhere.” Devin held out his hand. “Will you come with me?”
Reyes took it without thought. “Of course.”
He’d go anywhere with Devin. He was just so happy to have his brother back. It felt like everything was finally falling into place.
Devin tugged on Reyes’s hand and he started walking down the busy sidewalk. Reyes kept glancing up at Devin, making sure that this was real. He was having a hard time wrapping his mind around all of this. Devin found him on the sidewalk in the city. How random was that? Shaking his head, Reyes cleared his mind. Devin cut down a side street, into a parking garage. He pulled a key out of his pocket and the lights flashed on the back of a navy-blue SUV.
Their hands dropped as Reyes went to the passenger side. He opened the door and climbed in, clicking his seatbelt into place. Devin started the engine and reversed. He put the vehicle in gear and exited the parking garage.
“Where are you taking me?” he asked.
“You’ll see.” Devin glanced at him and winked. “It’s a surprise.”
Reyes sighed. He stared out the passenger side window, watching the landscape go by as Devin drove down the city streets. He hated surprises and Devin knew that, but for some reason his brother enjoyed torturing him.
“Are you going to tell me where you’ve been?”
“I’ll answer all your questions when we get to our destination.”
“Fine.” Reyes blew out a frustrated breath.
He knew there was no way he’d be able to convince Devin into saying anything. It made him smile and gave him a sense of relief. Devin was the same, that was all that mattered.
In the silence of the car, Reyes leaned his head back against the soft material and stared out the window.
They were on the road for almost forty minutes, most of the time spent on the I-485 eastbound in traffic. Reyes recognized the area right away. He didn’t know why, but it seemed that Devin was taking him toward their childhood home in Garden City, the one they’d shared with their parents before the fire.
Reyes stiffened in his seat when Devin pulled the SUV to a stop. “Oh my god.” He gasped.
He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It was his family home from when he was a boy. An exact replica of the way it used to be before the fire. A magnificent custom brick colonial, set on an acre of private, lush grounds. The manicured lawns, the trees, the fountain in the front of the house, and the colorful flowers in the garden—everything was how he remembered it.
When their parents started a family, they left the coven’s mansion in the city, wanting to raise Devin and Reyes in a safe, quiet neighborhood. They’d had a picturesque life away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
“I did a complete restoration.” Devin opened the driver’s side door and climbed out. He walked around the car and opened the passenger side door. “What do you think?”
Reyes stepped out and stood beside the SUV. He was still dumbfounded. Never had he thought to see this place again. “I…” He started, but couldn’t find the right words.
Reyes stared at the house as he walked down the gravel driveway, toward the front door, on autopilot.
“I made a few changes with the interior. We’ll have everything we need,” Devin told him.
“What do you mean?” Reyes asked, taking his eyes off the house and looking at Devin.
“There’s a cellar under the house. It’s chilled and filled with enough blood to last many lifetimes. The bedrooms are gigantic with plush, comfortable furniture. I also added a movie theater, a game room, and an indoor pool. Trust me, this house has everything, and it’s perfect. Come on.” He held out his hand. “I’ll give you a tour.”
Reyes wasn’t sure what to make of Devin’s words, but he pushed away any concerns that floated around his subconscious. This was Devin, his older brother. He was the same guy that had looked after Reyes and protected him.
Devin unlocked the front door and pushed it open, exposing the foyer. He stepped inside and looked around. This new, updated version was way better than anything Reyes could remember. Devin walked Reyes through the house. There was so much to see from the beautiful custom woodwork, to the coffered ceilings, and the marble and hardwood floors. The house was no longer two stories. Instead, Devin added a lower level—a full basement with an indoor pool, sauna, chilled blood cellar, and a game room. The top floor had two luxurious bedroom suites. Their childhood superhero themed bedrooms were long gone. It really was spectacular.
Turning on his heel, Reyes stared at Devin. “You did a wonderful job. It’s beautiful.”
“I’ve been in New York for a while, but I wanted to wait until everything was perfect. I needed to get rid of a few obstacles.”
“What happened? Why did you leave in the first place? Where did you go?” Questions spilled from Reyes’s lips in rapid succession.
“I didn’t want to leave you. Fabian sent me away with the coven’s blessing.”
“What?” Reyes jerked back as if he’d been slapped. “Why? I don’t understand. Nobody told me that. They told me that you left.”
Reyes took a deep breath. He tried to figure out why the coven had lied to him. Why did they keep this secret from him for so long? Why would they send his brother away?
“I would never leave you willingly, Rey-Rey. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Reyes exhaled a harsh breath. He was having a hard time understanding why Fabian would send Devin away. It didn’t make any sense. “Tell me what happened? Why did they send you away?”
“You really don’t know? You don’t remember?”
“No.” Reyes shook his head, completely confused. “What should I remember?”
“After Mom and Dad died in the fire, you had bad nightmares.” Devin moved toward Reyes. He lifted his hand and touched Reyes’s cheek. “You didn’t want to be alone. I held you at night until you fell asleep. As we got older, people began to talk, but it didn’t bother you so I just ignored it.”
“What did they say?”
“Poisonous words that turned into gossip that spread around the coven like wild fire.” Reyes could see sadness in his eyes, mixed w
ith anger that simmered right below the surface. “They said our relationship was dirty, but it wasn’t. We only loved each other. How could that be wrong?”
Reyes’s shoulders dropped. How could anyone talk badly about them? They had just lost their parents. Was there a time limit on the amount of time someone was allowed to mourn?
“I don’t know.”
If Reyes had been closer to the members of the coven, he’d be pissed, but the anger seemed pointless now. There was no way to turn back time or change the past. He had his brother back in his life. That was all that mattered. He was planning on moving out of the coven anyway. Now that he found his True Match, Reyes wasn’t going to live in that mansion ever again. It seemed the coven was keeping a lot of secrets.
“I don’t want you to be upset.” Devin pulled Reyes in for a hug. Reyes rested his head on his brother’s shoulder. “Everything is going to be okay now. We’re safe.”
Reyes smiled. This moment took him back to when they were younger. Devin was always by his side, comforting and holding him.
“I love you so much, Rey-Rey,” Devin whispered. “Nobody will ever tear us apart again. All the people that tried are gone.”
Reyes stiffened slightly. He tried to make sense of Devin’s words but he couldn’t. A horrible thought entered his mind then. He tried to push it away, denying that it was even possible. Devin wouldn’t hurt anyone. He was caring. He always protected Reyes, showering him with love after they had lost their parents.
“What…” Reyes paused, collecting his thoughts enough to verbalize his question. “What do you mean by that?”
Devin pulled back. He kissed the tip of Reyes’s nose, which was slightly awkward and really confusing.
“Fabian and the others…I killed them.” He said it so easily that Reyes wasn’t sure he heard correctly.
“I’m sorry.” Reyes shook his head and laughed without humor. “What?”
“They separated us.” Devin’s voice was serious, his eyes holding Reyes’s, exposed and honest. “They said that our relationship was wrong, but it wasn’t. I only ever loved you. And you loved me. Now, we can be together. We can live our lives anyway we want.”