Valcrum’s disappointment was too much to bear. It washed over me like waves in an ocean. Darkness descended on me, and for once, I was happy.
I woke up in my bed. Sweat rolled off me making me sticky. Looking around I held the covers up to my chest. Tossing them aside, I walked to the bathroom, and flipped on the light. Glancing at the mirror, I was happy that I looked like myself. After using the toilet, I washed my hands. Looking in the mirror, I stopped washing my hands. There on my chest in the lower left quadrat, was a symbol. It was a symbol I had seen many times in the Zena cave. It was her mark, upon my flesh.
Quickly I showered and got dressed. I intended to get Liam back here, where he belonged. As each day passed, my anxiety about Liam showing up alive became colored by doubt and self-recriminations.
For the first time in my life, I didn’t think I could fix the situation. Failure wasn’t an option. I must fix this. The academy’s survival depended on it. Looking down at my hands, I thought of Leonardo. I couldn’t deal with another person’s blood on my hands.
Reaching Liam’s office, I booted up the computer to analyze the data. It could not be confirmed that Gayle and Erica were still at the clubhouse and Alexa was getting restless.
Claire burst into the office with Maximus on her heels. She looked like she hadn’t slept in several lightyears. The dark circles underneath her eyes made her look like a racoon.
Claire ran a hand through her hair and growled. “She’s gone. I can’t believe she left the academy.”
She had a handwritten note in her hand waving it like a freaking flag. I couldn’t read it from where I stood but I had a feeling I already knew who had written it.
“She went after Gayle and Erica. She’s not alone either,” said Maximus.
I stared at the ceiling, trying to reign in my temper. Claire should have kept an eye on her sister. This was getting ridiculous. We didn’t have the resources to continue to do solo missions with Trevor and his men getting stronger.
“How long has she been gone?”
8
Arianna
Liam rubbed me raw, like salt in an open wound. I gritted my teeth and stalked to the bathroom. A splash of cold water on my face would do me good. The man was the most irritating person I had ever met. He had not been nice to me, and I was sure he hated me. I was surprised that he bothered to save my life.
The bathroom was covered in dust. Whoever had lived here had abandoned the house and junkies had taken residence. Stepping over the bowls tossed on the side of the toilet, I splashed cold water on my face.
Closing the bathroom door behind me, I waited for Liam to get off the phone. Leaning up against the door, I pressed my ear to it hoping to eavesdrop on Liam.
“Maximus bring a crew and meet us in thirty minutes, at Riverside Cove near the abandoned houses,” said Liam.
Opening the bathroom door, I walked out. Liam was standing there in the middle of the floor casually speaking, like we hadn’t almost gotten killed.
He glanced at me then hung up the phone.
Taking a deep breath, I walked out of the room and headed for the door.
The sun was out. It’s a beautiful day, which makes it more dangerous. People are still lured outside when the weather is beautiful like this.
Liam hasn’t said anything to me, and I’m grateful. He’s been such a jerk. I didn’t even get a ‘thank you’ for saving his miserable life. I hoped he knew that we are now even.
Thirty minutes passed and there was no sign of Maximus. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. I wrung my hands at my side and glanced around. I hoped that Nathaniel and Derrick were gone but I didn’t think that was true. After I couldn’t take the silence any longer, I spoke.
“It’s been longer than thirty minutes. We can’t continue to stay out in the open like this.”
Liam looked at his watch. “He’ll be here.”
Maximus seemed like the responsible type. I couldn’t imagine him not showing up, but maybe he couldn’t show up.
Oh Valcrum, what if Maximus ran into Nathaniel?
I paced. All the nervous energy and the feeling that we were being watched had me on edge. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something was off.
Just then Maximus walked out of the woods. He had ten men with him, and they looked ready for war.
Maximus smiled at me. “I’m glad to see you’re alright. You had us worried.”
I swallowed. “I’m glad to see you guys. Let’s get out of here, before we have another fight with Derrick and Nathaniel.”
Maximus frowned and looked at Liam. When Liam didn’t say anything, we all started walking into the woods.
It was two hours before we reached the academy. Sweat had my clothes clinging to my back and my legs ached. I still wasn’t healed from the torture that Nathaniel had inflicted on me, and my energy levels were low.
I had never been happier to see the academy. The hallways were empty, and everyone was probably safely asleep in their rooms. We followed Liam. He opened the door to his office and saw Cade slumped over his desk, with his hand clutching a photo.
I stepped closer and looked at the photograph, then I turned to Liam. “Is that you?”
He didn’t say anything. He walked around his desk and placed his hand on Cade’s shoulder. Cade jumped up leaning back against the chair. The picture in his hand fell on the desk.
He stood and wrapped his arms around Liam. He hugged him tight, as he buried his face in his shoulder.
This wasn’t the first time that I wondered about the nature of their relationship. I didn’t connect the dots at first, but I did now. Liam must be Cade’s father. Why else would there be a picture of Cade, as a child, with Liam? Looking at Maximus, I fidgeted. This was their private moment. I turned on my heels, and walked to the door, intending to give them the privacy they needed.
Liam pulled back. “Don’t go. You wanted answers and now the time has come to give them to you.”
Maximus sat in one of the chairs and motioned for me to sit next to him.
Sinking into the chair, I waited for Liam to speak.
Liam poured himself a glass of dark red liquid. “I saw Letoya a few days ago and I shot her with a tracking device.”
I frowned. He can’t mean Cade’s sister Letoya.
“Your sister Letoya, that died?”
I looked from Cade to Liam, but neither of them was paying attention to me. Cade looked like he could kill Liam. Cade’s voice shook, as he spoke through clenched teeth. “You shot her with a tracking device, like a dog?”
Maximus had his hand over his face. He looked like he was going to be sick. The color drained from his face and he looked like he was wound too tight.
Liam rolled his eyes. “I have been trying to find her, and she has purposely avoided me, at every turn. I was desperate to find her, now more than ever, with Derrick playing god.”
“Did you find her?” asked Maximus. He leaned in his chair with his hands gripping the armrest.
“I left here as soon as the tracker came online. I wasn’t quick enough, and she was gone. I scouted the area and came upon the caves in the mountains.”
Liam looked at me. “I didn’t find her, but I found Arianna being tortured by Nathaniel, when Derrick came to spy on him.”
Maximus’s lips thinned. “How was it that he managed to escape death, while he killed so many innocent people?”
Cade wasn’t talking, but he was leaning against the window for support.
“Arianna and I fought Nathaniel and Derrick. When we were almost out of danger from them, she showed up and attacked me?”
I jumped up. “That mangy werewolf, was Letoya?
Liam stopped talking. Everyone stared at me, but I didn’t care. This didn’t make any sense.
I was over this crazy mess. I don’t like Liam and I don’t like Letoya either.
I held my cheeks trying to come to grips with what I had just found out. Cade’s family gave a whole new meaning to dysfunctional fam
ily. “Why was she trying to kill me?
“What are you talking about?” asked Cade.
I pointed around at the walls of the school, as I glared at Cade. “That werewolf broke in here and she was sucking your blood. I chased her out of your room and when I tossed a glass shard at her, she sent it flying right back at me.”
Maximus shrugged. “It sounds like you attacked her first.”
Liam sighed after taking a big gulp of his liquid. “She won’t be the only one trying to kill you, so don’t take it personal.”
It was apparent to me why she might want Liam dead. “She obviously wanted you dead also. Are you taking it personal?”
I hadn’t been back on the school ground for thirty minutes and already I was resenting it.
Cade crossed the room. One second, he was leaning against the wall, and the next he was so close to me I could feel his hot breath on my neck.
He pulled my long hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. “Are you alright? Did she hurt you?”
The concern in his voice made me swallow the lump in my throat. “I’m ok now.”
Liam cleared his throat. “Letoya attacked me, when we had almost gotten away from Nathaniel and Derrick.”
Cade turned to Liam. “Why would she attack you? What are you hiding from us?”
Maximus looked from Cade then to Liam. “She would never attack you unless she has a reason.”
“She doesn’t trust me with her son. It’s time that the family unite again,” said Liam.
Maximus stood up. “She wouldn’t shoot you. Why did she shoot you?”
I wrung my hands in front of me. I could feel my face heating. “Letoya didn’t shoot Liam. I did.”
Cade looked shocked. “Why did you shoot him?”
“I was trying to shoot Letoya, but he jumped in front of the bullet like he was bullet proof.”
The anger rolled off Cade in waves. He opened his mouth then shut it. He turned to look at Liam and at me. I’ve never seen that dark look in his eyes, he almost looked frightening.
Maximus cursed. “Where is she now?”
Liam shrugged. “She was hiding. She doesn’t want to be found. When she comes back around, I will get her to come here.”
Cade rolled his eyes. “She may never trust you, and she might kill you next time.”
“I can’t just give up. She will learn to trust me again,” said Liam.
Maximus snapped his fingers and his men headed toward the door.
Liam slammed his drink on the desk. “Where are you going Maximus? I did not say you could leave.”
Maximus inhaled and flinched. The broad muscles of his back rippled with each inhalation. “You asked me once to do as you asked, and my whole world fell apart. She doesn’t trust you, but she trusts me. I won’t rest until she is found.”
Maximus didn’t turn around. He opened the door and stalked out. The office felt small with just us three in it. I didn’t want to stay and listen to Liam either.
I turned and walked to the door. I was exhausted and Liam was a jerk. It didn’t surprise me that Letoya didn’t trust him. Liam talked about not trusting others, but he held a lot of secrets, and I didn’t know if I could live long enough to unearth half of them.
My hand was on the doorknob before I realized it. The more I stood and listened to him, the more certain I was that I no longer wanted to stay at the academy. Every time I looked at this place I thought of Kyra and all that I had lost. There were some memories that were good, but they were few and far between the horrible ones.
Cade stepped closer to me, “Don’t go. We just got you back safely.”
My heart pounded. “This place isn’t safe. It never was.”
9
Trevor
The screams that erupted from Kyra’s throat made Cyrus wail out a cry. He was a mother’s boy. I liked that he did not want to see Kyra unhappy. It didn’t make sense to have her stressing over something she could do nothing about.
Why did Dylan open his big mouth?
“Baby, I am handling it. You don’t have to worry.” I reached for her, but she snatched away from me.
I am not the most patient man in the world. As a matter of fact, I am not patient at all and when I want something, I take it. She and I had been through so much, and I needed her tonight, so she had better get over her attitude. “Do not run from me.”
My eyes stared into hers. I am not one to be trifled with. She needed to check that sassy mouth at the door.
“How could you bond yourself to that woman. You weren’t even going to tell me.” She placed her hands on her hips.
I shrugged. “It has never come up before now.”
Dylan looked from Kyra to me. “Victoria won’t kill Trevor. She has a thing for him, and she lives in Xundar, so just forget about her.”
Kyra paced back and forth. “She can’t have him. Trevor belongs to me, and I will kill anyone that tries to take him from me.”
Dylan rolled his eyes. “You aren’t powerful enough to kill Victoria, and besides, if you do Trevor dies too. You should just forget about her.”
She stopped in front of the pink crib and tears sprang to her eyes. “She stole Catalia. I want my daughter and I want her now!”
Glancing at Dylan, I nodded toward Cyrus. “Watch him for about an hour.”
I didn’t wait for him to answer. I stalked toward her and tossed her over my shoulder. My strides didn’t faulter until I was in our bedroom. I kicked the door closed with my foot. There was no need to lock the door. Everyone knew my bedroom was off limits. Coming back here, uninvited, was a mistake that they would pay for with their lives. Nobody sees Kyra naked but me. I don’t share.
It was the next morning. I almost turned over but felt her at my side. Her steady breath fanned over my face, and I smiled. Opening my eyes, I allowed myself to feast on her beauty. Unwrapping her arms from around my waist, I slipped from the sheets. The room was chilly, so I pulled up the covers over her, and watched as she snuggled deeper in its warmth.
Cyrus’s crib was over in the corner of the room. A sense of pride and peace swept over me, as I watched him roll on his back and lift his head to look at me. Picking him up, I placed a kiss on his forehead. When he wrapped his chubby little arms around my neck, I knew I was done. There wasn’t anything in the world I wouldn’t do for him. When my time comes, and I am long gone, he will be here to rule the world. My legacy will live on, in him.
Placing him back in his crib, I glanced back at the bed. Kyra still had not stirred. I wore her out last night and if I am honest with myself, I wanted to crawl back in bed and wear her out again. But I had work to do and not in the bedroom. Closing the door softly behind me, I walked down the hall into the living room.
Dylan was up, staring at the ceiling. He looked like death, sucking on a popsicle. The only time I saw a spark of life in him was when he laid eyes on Paris. I can’t lose him. I will not allow him to waste away and die here.
“Have you been to sleep yet?” I stood over him looking down at him.
He shook his head and sat up. “I couldn’t sleep.”
Walking into the kitchen I grabbed a bottle of water. I’m ready to get this crap over with. I need to deal with Victoria. My men had impregnated as many angels as they could. It seemed every time I turned around; they were rutting between an angel’s legs. My plan was coming together nicely.
It’s time to meet with the lab freaks. Once they join my army, we will converge on the academy and kill them all. Pulling out my phone, I dialed Celeste.
“Meet me here, in an hour.” Downing the cold water, I tossed the empty plastic bottle in the trash.
“Sure,” said Celeste
“I want you to bring Paris, and Jada.” I paused and looked at Dylan. He was lying down not paying much attention to me. I almost couldn’t wait to see a spark flare in his eyes.
“What about Warren?”
I wrinkled my nose. Warren wanted to be the leader. There was something
about him that cautioned me not to trust him. I keep my enemies closer than I do my friends. “Him too.”
An hour passed when Celeste walked in with Warren, Jada and Paris. I didn’t say anything. I was glad that Celeste had briefed them that this meeting was not for fun.
“Where are the rest of them? I looked at Warren and Jada, the two siblings.
“We heard that they were hiding out. The XJT Motorcycle Club had rogue werewolves and they are running things,” said Jada.
I frowned. How had the rogue werewolves sided with the motorcycle club?
I rubbed my chin. “Who is running the motorcycle club?”
Celeste’s lips thinned. “Nicolo is running the show. I thought that jerk was dead.”
Dylan laughed, “He is now.”
Paris looked at Dylan. Her eyes roared over his naked chest before she glanced away.
When he caught Paris staring at him the smile fell from his face. He cleared his throat, and he put on a shirt and walked down the hallway. A second later the bathroom door closed.
Kyra came out of the bedroom, with Cyrus cradled in her arms. She had her hair in a ponytail and her cheeks were flushed as she looked at me.
I tucked her close to my side. I pulled a stray hair behind her ear and leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. “We have to take care of some business. Try to get some rest.”
She looked at Celeste before looking back at me. “I want to go with you.”
I was not sure why she was still insecure about Celeste. I don’t have eyes for any woman but her. She has ruined me for all women. “You have to stay here, with Cyrus, where you are safe.”
Dylan walked toward us. The aroma of spicy musk filled the air as he scooped Cyrus from Kyra’s arms. Cyrus squealed with delight as Dylan twirled him in the air.
“Dylan can watch Cyrus and I’ll go with you.”
Kyra looked like she was not ready to let this go. When will she understand that I don’t want anyone else? This was not the time to point out that she was not strong, now that she was a flokan. I could not have Victoria, or anyone else, trying to kill her. “You’re not going.”
The Pact Between Angels and Witches Page 6