by D. C. Gambel
“Evie,” he looked offended that I would think that. “We haven’t…”
“The wolves are in an uproar, are they not? Demanding my head.” He stiffened and I knew I’d hit a mark. “You didn’t think that I should know that?”
His gaze darted to Cam. When I looked at the man I loved, I saw his mask slip briefly and a hint of guilt showed through.
“Can you guys give us a minute?” he asked never breaking his indigo eyes from mine. There was the sound of feet shuffling then the door clicked closed. “I asked them to keep it from you.”
“Come again?” Surely I hadn’t heard him right.
“Evie,” he sighed running his palm down his face. “It’s taken a lot for you to come out of your shell. If you knew that the supernatural community was in an uproar being led strongly by Axel, you’d have shut down again.”
“You don’t know that, Cam!” I spat. He was right, but I couldn’t let him know that. “You didn’t even give me a chance. You shut me out making me feel like an outsider. Sure I wear the same mark as the rest of you, but I’m not like you, right? It’s a guys club that I can’t get a membership to.”
“That’s not true, Evie.”
“Yes it is, Cam. I hear your private,” I used my fingers to quote, “talks. It’s been happening since day one. You guys talk and then feed me whatever crumbs you all deem fit. I thought that things would change when you and I got together, but it seems only to have gotten worse. Now they let you have the say over what information I know. It’s bull shit, Cam.” I shook my head stomping towards the door.
“Where are you going?” he demanded but didn’t try stopping me.
“To Charlie’s. Don’t believe me? I’m sure Ty can track my phone.”
Throwing open the door, the other two horsemen immediately bolted having been standing just over the threshold. “Unbelievable,” I muttered. Neither of them spoke to me as I shoved past them. I was already pulling out my phone for an Uber.
As I made it to the yard, I saw Charlie standing beside her car with her tongue successfully shoved down Derek’s brother’s throat. Sighing, I closed my phone no longer needing it.
“Char?” I called out. The couple immediately disengaged.
“Rogue?” she smiled sheepishly. “I was just coming in to see you.”
“Really?” I eyed Christian’s arms around her tiny waist. He didn’t seem eager to let her go.
“Well,” she shrugged. “Eventually.”
I smirked but it didn’t reach my eyes, which didn’t go unnoticed by my best friend.
“You okay, Rogue?” she asked stepping away from Christian.
I shook my head. “Can we get out of here? I need to clear my head.”
“Sure.” She looked up at Christian from under her lashes. “Call me?”
He smirked cockily. “Definitely.” He grabbed her dipping her back like an old Hollywood actress, fusing his mouth to her.
Charlie and I climbed into her car as Christian waved goodbye.
“I really don’t like that guy,” I muttered. I didn’t know how much longer Famine’s brother would be remaining with us, but after just over a week, I was ready for him to return home. I had grown accustomed to being safe from killing others in my home that it was taking some adjustments that I selfishly didn’t want to make. Cam and Ty had both explained that I shouldn’t worry. Christian was aware of my gifts and he was equally as responsible to avoid my touch, as I was his. I doubted Derek would feel that way if I killed his brother.
Charlie shrugged. “He’s a jerk, but it’s because he got a huge…”
“Nope!” I winced turning away from her for fear of what she might say.
“I was going to say chip on his shoulder. Jeez Rogue. Get your mind out of the gutter,” she smirked. “So,” Charlie began after we’d been on the road for several silent minutes. “You wanna just head back to the apartment?”
I pondered what she asked then shook my head. “He’ll look there first.” If he was going to track me down, I wanted him to work for it.
“You think Cam’s coming after you?”
I shrugged. “We had a fight.” I went on to explain to her what it was about and how the guys had suggested locking me up.
“But it’s not you!” she stated more upset about it than I had been. I hadn’t once pleaded my innocence with Charlie as I had the guys. She just gave me her unwavering trust. In that moment, I wished I could have hugged her, but I refused to risk her life over my need for closeness and to show my gratitude. “What about going to Chocolate Company?” Chocolate was Charlie’s answer when booze and men weren’t. It’d been months since I had one of their double decadent hot chocolates. I had never actually been to the bakery itself; having always feared confined spaces where I could brush against someone. Charlie had always been a peach, bringing me something every time she ventured to it—which was often. Since moving in with the guys, I’d missed the treats she’d bring me.
“I think that’s an awesome idea.”
Walking into the bakery, two things became immediately clear. One, I’d forgotten my gloves and coat when I ventured out of the house in a huff leaving no protection to anyone who might touch me and two, the entire staff had frozen, locking their gazes on me the moment I entered.
“Umm…” Charlie muttered beside me having noticed the tension rising. The longer we stood there the more threatened I felt. I reached for my hip but realized I hadn’t put my weapons on, which in and of itself was odd. I hadn’t dressed with the intent of going anywhere, having gotten very little sleep the night before, but unless I choose to intentionally leave it off, strapping the blade in place had become part of my routine. The slight move was enough for the group to feel threatened. Flashes of violet lit the eyes of every employee before me. Shifters.
I was knocked to the side just as a chocolate cupcake flew at my head. It was a weird use of a cupcake; I’d admit, and was incredibly wasteful. I lifted my head off the floor to see Charlie was no longer standing where she had been. Quickly glancing around, I saw her lying beside me, her hand on my bare arm. Before I had a moment to contemplate what that meant, I was being yanked up by my hair.
“You’re not welcome here, Death,” the shifter hissed in my face sounding almost reptilian, before throwing me into the nearest table where I crashed unable to brace myself for the impact.
“Do not wreck my store,” a woman shouted throwing a cupcake at the man who’d just tossed me effortlessly. “Take her outside.”
“What the fuck!” Charlie spat coming to her feet. My eyes widened, in shock and gratitude, seeing her just fine, but I couldn’t ponder it as a fist flew at my head. The shifters were smart. They all wore latex gloves, I’m sure for working with their baked goods, but it also allowed them to handle me without fear. I blocked the punch swinging my arm to meet him and shoving his fist so it went over my shoulder. “Danielle!” Charlie yelled. “I come in here all the time. We just wanted a mother fucking hot chocolate!” Two more shifters ran out from the kitchen. I was grateful they charged me leaving Charlie alone. I’d been training for this for months, but with the exception of Charlie’s kickboxing class, she had no training, especially against supernaturals.
“Charlotte,” the woman behind the counter began speaking to my friend the way one might a child, “you’re human so I’m sure you don’t know the company you keep.”
“I know exactly who she is. It doesn’t give you the right to attack her.”
One of the shifters nails extended into razor sharp claws. I was so stunned that I missed the attack coming from behind me. I was hit on the head. Surprising even myself, I managed to remain standing yet I was dazed.
“You knowingly brought Death into my shop?” the woman accused Charlie.
Stumbling to meet the attack from behind, I screamed when the others claws ripped from my shoulder down to my hip. I fell against the closest table. Praying the wound healed quickly.
“EVIE!” Charlie screamed.
Suddenly everything stopped. No one continued to attack me. I could hear the shuffle of feet and the sound of fists meeting flesh as the world around me pulsated. My eyes widened worrying they were now after Charlie. I tired to right myself but fell back against the table when hands grasped me. I turned preparing myself for a fight even though I was already fighting to remain upright.
“Friend of yours?” Charlie asked with a tilt of her head. One of her hands was on my back, avoiding my wound, the other against my bare arm. I blinked back my shock as I turned my head into the direction where Charlie gestured. There, I narrowed my gaze. I was unsure if I was seeing things after the hit I took to my head. The man I met at the bar was battling against the three shifters. He moved like a ghost. His movements blurred much like I would expect from The Flash. One word rang through me head. Demon.
“Let’s go,” I whispered to Charlie but she didn’t budge. She seemed hypnotized by the man battling the shifters. I didn’t blame her. It was certainly a sight to behold, but I wasn’t entirely convinced he was on our side. “Charlie!” I hissed yanking on her arm.
Breaking out of trance she looked at me wide-eyed. “Let’s go,” I stated firmly leaving no room to argue. She helped me supporting my weight as best as she could. Every step caused the wound on my back to pull, releasing a stabbing pain. We were almost to the car when the bell on the door rang alerting us to a departure from the shop. I didn’t want to look back. Our freedom was almost in reach. Giving into her curiosity, Charlie paused glancing back and since she was helping me it forced me to pause too. Groaning at her lack of urgency, I turned to see the man from the bar standing just on our side of the threshold looking on us with a knowing smirk.
“Was this not enough to prove I’m on your side?” he asked.
“Evie,” Charlie whispered but kept her gaze on the man with black hair and matching eyes. “You know him?”
“We’ve met,” he confirmed narrowing his eyes. Noticing my state, he immediately approached causing me to stiffen. I hadn’t been able to hold my own against the shifter and he had bested them. He eyed Charlie’s hand on my arm giving it a quizzical glare, but said nothing of it. Stepping to my side he took in the damage. “Shit, the beast got you.”
“Beast?” I’d been hurt by werewolves before but it never felt like this. I didn’t know what kind of shifter could cause this kind of pain.
“Dragon,” he whispered.
“Fuck,” I groaned. I knew enough about dragon shifter to know that not only were they rare, but deadly. The fact that he hadn’t shredded me was pure luck on my part. Their claws were said to be poisonous and the breath to be able to create a toxic gas knocking its victims unconscious in order to steal their riches. One thing the lore got right was they were collectors of treasure, gold particularly.
“I don’t understand,” Charlie mumbled.
“She’s been poisoned,” the man explained.
“What!” Charlie was quickly beginning to freak.
“Not a big deal, Char,” I explained even as I gritted through the pain. “Not the first time. I’ll heal.”
“She’s right,” the man agreed. “The sooner we get that wound cleaned the faster it’ll heal.” He turned to glance at Charlie. “Do you have somewhere we can go?”
“My apartment’s not far.”
“Seriously, I’m fine.” I didn’t want this guy to go anywhere with us. I especially didn’t want him to know where Charlie lived since I didn’t know his intentions.
“Shut up, Evie,” the man stated. “You are not. A dragon has scratched me before and it’s not fun. Let me help you.” When I didn’t immediately agree, he added, “Or we can call your guys and you can explain the three dead shifters inside all killed with your gift.”
My lips parted in shock at his statement. I was sure I hadn’t touched them. That only meant…“Who are you?” I hissed through the pain while keeping my guard up. There wasn’t much I could do at the moment with my back screaming at me. Charlie and I were completely at his mercy.
“I thought that was obvious,” he smirked. “I’m you,” he shrugged, “in a different life.”
“Me?” I asked unsure what he meant.
He rolled his eyes. “Not literally, Evie. Just think of me as your mirror.”
Then it all clicked into place. “It was you!” I accused. “You killed all those people.”
Smiling confidently, he replied, “Perhaps now would be a good time to discuss how.”
Chapter 6
On my stomach on the couch in my old apartment, I laid covered in a sheen of sweat. The man from the bar, Shane, had cut open the back of my shirt. After giving me a drink of whiskey, which strangely had a deeply bitter undertone, that I ignored needing the numbness it offered, he poured the remainder of the bottle over the cuts on my back. Charlie didn’t have medical supplies the way the horsemen did, but she did have liquor, which was just as good of a sterilizing agent. He’d finished just moments ago and was now giving me a chance to gather myself. I had done my best not to scream; after all, Charlie had neighbors. It didn’t make the pain anymore bearable.
I glanced up as Charlie walked in with her version of a shirt. When I eyed her like she’d gone completely insane she explained. “I didn’t think you’d want material touching you until you healed.” The “shirt” was a front only with a string that tied around my neck and mid back. I gave her the best smile I could muster for her consideration.
Shane stood and headed to the bathroom giving me privacy to change. With Charlie’s help I sat up, removed the scraps of my clothes and held the shirt in place while she tied it.
“You can touch me,” I stated in awe as she tied the strings.
“I know. I didn’t know that I could. You said I couldn’t.”
“You pushed me out of the way at the bakery. You could have died touching me.”
She shrugged. “You’re my best friend and the closet thing I have to family.”
“She’s been kissed by death,” announced Shane as he walked back into the room. He hovered in the hall for a moment but when no one protested, he entered coming to sit on the armchair that rested just off to the side of where I sat on the sofa.
“I’m what?” Charlie asked.
“Kissed by death?” When we both looked dumbfounded he rolled his eyes. “Seriously do the horsemen teach you nothing? Kissed by death means someone who’s died and came back. There are thousands of them in the world. Hell there’s a whole race.”
“Vampires,” I stated having remembered Asher mentioning something about it.
Shane nodded. “My guess is your friend died at one point and was brought back. Some people it’s drowning, most it’s some kind of medical situation.” He mimicked paddles being placed on his chest zapping him back to life.
He waited for a possible explanation as to why Charlie survived my touch but since I already knew and didn’t feel like sharing that detail, especially if he didn’t know, I changed the subject.
“So,” I stated eyeing Shane suspiciously. “I think it’s time you gave me answers.”
“Might be helpful if I knew the questions,” he commented smugly. If looks could kill the one I shot Shane would have had his head exploding. It did little to intimidate him.
“It was you that was killing all those supernatural beings.”
“That’s not a question,” he tried sounding innocently. I shot a glare at him and he chuckled. “Yes.”
“So you were trying to set me up.”
He groaned sitting forward resting his elbows on his knees. “Of course not. I wasn’t lying to you when I said I wasn’t giving you an ultimatum. Every person I killed was evil. They deserved what they got.”
“Everyone?” I spat. He nodded nonchalantly. “What about Vicky? She was a single mother. You left her kids orphans.”
“She was a drug user that left her kids days at a time to go get high with the wolf she was fucking. The other two were enforcers. They had so much b
lood on their hands.”
“What about the girl you killed last night?”
“What girl?”
“Don’t fuck with me, Shane. There’s only two of us that have this gift—how that’s even possible, I haven’t the slightest clue—I know I didn’t kill her so it had to be you.”
Shane leaned back cocking his head to the side almost studying me. I did my best not to fidget under his gaze. “Did it ever occur to you that she could have just died of a natural cause? You don’t know me, Evie so I don’t expect you to give me the common courtesy of trust, but my guess is your horsemen didn’t allot it to you either. Let me guess, they believed her death was associated to others and you’re the number one suspect?”
I bristled at his comment because he was right, not that I’d admit that.
“I’m alone, Evie. And even you, surrounded by your horsemen, are alone. They don’t understand you. They don’t trust you. Not even your precious Cam.”
“You don’t know what—”
“I’m talking about?” he finished. “Then why didn’t you call him instead of coming here and letting me clean you up? If you truly believed he trusted you, you wouldn’t have even given calling him a second thought when I suggested it.”
“You’re not here to discuss my relationship with the horsemen. You’re here to tell me what you want and why me.”
“Oh that’s easy. I’ve already told you. I need your help.”
I groaned. “But why me?”
“You’ve been to Hell. That’s pretty much the gist of it. I’m not comfortable telling you more unless I know you’re inclined to help me. At this point I can’t trust that you won’t run back to the horsemen telling them everything I’ve told you if you haven’t already. But then again, if you had maybe they might have believed you didn’t kill whatever girl you claimed I killed last night.”
“How where you able to move like that in the bakery. Are you a demon?”
“Potions can enhance our abilities allowing humans to move like demons.” He stood to leave.