Blood Promise (A SkinWalker Novel #4) (A DarkWorld SkinWalker Novel)

by Ayer, T. G.

  I nodded then glanced over at the fire. "So if you removed my mom from my memory, but she always burned toast,"--Dad and Iain both laughed--"then every time I smelled burned toast, my mind would search for the association with that smell and find nothing."

  She nodded.

  "And I'd feel like something is missing?" I asked, giving Logan a glance. He was staring at the fire, the expression on his face pained. He was making connections.

  I turned back to Darcy and found that she too was watching Logan, her expression sad.

  Then she caught me watching her and her expression returned to calm professional. "A lot of people never feel they're missing something," she said, "but there are a small number of subjects whose emotional strength can override the erase." She tilted her head. "Is this the problem you have for me?"

  Somehow I knew she was aware it wasn't.

  "I have two kids," I said, "whose memories of an attack on them have been taken. Their recollections are more in terms of association and feeling--which means their descriptions can't be fully trusted. Are we able to do anything to help them remember. Or to overturn the erase?"

  Darcy tapped a finger on her lips. "I can try. If you arrange a meeting with them, I'll try a few exercises. Perhaps I could even do a search within their minds to find out if their memories have been erased to begin with."

  I nodded but glanced over at Logan.

  Darcy leaned forward. "I really am happy to help, Kailin. When can you arrange for me to meet them?"

  No help from Logan, then. "And that," I said, "is where we have a little problem."

  Her eyebrows lifted slightly. "Why is that?"

  "They're dead."

  Her eyebrows hit her hairline. "Yes," she said. "That does complicate things."

  CHAPTER 46

  IT WASN'T UNTIL EVERYONE LAUGHED that I realized how tense the conversation had become.

  "Can you examine the mind of a dead person?" I asked.

  Expecting Darcy to give a flat-out no, I was surprised when she smiled and nodded.

  "It will be a complicated exercise," she said. "But yes."

  I let out a relieved sigh. "We can do 'complicated'. It's the 'not possible' we have a problem with."

  She laughed softly. "I understand. I'll need a DeathTalker to set up the mind-link. A person's mind doesn't disappear once they die. It exists within the soul-aspect--or the spirit, as some people call it. It's much, much harder to access, but if the subject is willing then their willingness removes a number of the mental barriers. So yes, I can help. Although it does depend on what you expect of me."

  "How do you mean?"

  She lifted a shoulder. "Do you just want information? Or do you want me to erase something from their minds?"

  I thought of the ghosts and their desire to help me. I wanted to give them something in return. "To be honest, I'd like you to put their memories back the way they were. But if you can't, I'll be happy with just information."

  She nodded. "Unfortunately, information is the best that I can offer. Only an Immortal can manipulate the memories of the dead."

  The temperature in the room seemed to plummet and the chill lifted the small hairs on my arms.

  Only an Immortal can manipulate the memories of the dead.

  Logan's dark look told me what he too was thinking.

  Storm.

  Beside him, Jess's face tightened with shock. Now, she too had to admit that Storm was a strong contender for the guilty title.

  And then time froze as Jess decided we needed a private conversation.

  "Sorry to do this to you again, Kailin," she said, her expression strained. I nodded my understanding, and she continued, "Are you absolutely positive about what the children said?"

  I was no longer struggling with the idea that Storm could be our killer/mastermind, but the Titan certainly was. It was clear that whatever previous relationship she'd had with Storm was influencing her current state of mind. A good thing I'd always been a little intimidated by Storm and kept our relationship merely cordial.

  "I'm sorry, Jess." And I truly was. "I know this is hard for you to wrap your head around. He was your friend. Sorry, he is your friend. I understand if you need more proof."

  But the Titan was shaking her head, a blonde strand escaping from the low bun at the back of her head. Her eyes, usually blue and sparkling, were now just a dull grey.

  "I am trained to be impartial in all matters, but I now understand how humans think and feel, always swayed by emotional attachment. As much as I want to believe Storm incapable of such dreadful crimes, I cannot ignore the truth. I understand him to be able to do the things you accuse him of. I had thought him too ethical to do so. And yet--"

  She broke off suddenly, her pain and disillusionment obvious. "It is the last thing that I would ever want to do, but I fear I have no choice. I confess that I am now afraid Storm is complicit in some way, if not the mastermind himself."

  I was already shaking my head. "We might still be wrong about Storm," I said with a shaky sigh. She didn't seem appeased by my words though so I continued. "The only reason that we're focused on Storm is he seems to be the common factor according to our witnesses. And the agent I met in the Graylands, Daniel, described Storm almost perfectly. I also hate to think it, but he could be the one."

  The Titan nodded, her face paler than was possible. "And if he is the killer, he needs to be stopped. The Immortal High Council would never allow him to continue. Power in one such as Storm is something that could easily explode out of control. Your world is not ready for that."

  I nodded, my heart tightening within my chest. "We also have another important reason to find him. Lily. If he doesn't have her then Omega probably does."

  The Titan must have seen something on my face--perhaps my determination to take the next step no matter how hard it was--and she gave me an approving nod.

  Then time flowed back into the room and the discussion moved on.

  I let it move. I'd made my decision, determined what I'd do next. So I took a moment just to watch the people I loved. The expression on Iain's face as he looked at Darcy. Dad talking to Logan without judgement. Logan himself, the strain at the sides of his eyes, the hollowness to his cheeks, the dark bruises under his eyes that screamed lack of sleep--

  "Can I take you home?" Jess's question broke into my thoughts, and I'd almost started to answer when I realized she was talking to Darcy.

  "Thank you," Darcy said with a smile. "I think I should go." Although it was hard to miss the reluctance in her eyes as she gave Iain one last glance.

  "Where do you live?" asked Iain, unconsciously taking a step closer to her, as if already he didn't want her to leave.

  This is going to get interesting.

  Darcy looked up at him and smiled, "New Orleans." Then she turned to me. "As soon as you need me, Kailin, I'll come. Just get the DeathTalker. I don't need to go to the Graylands and I would suggest that you not go back there either."

  I frowned. "Why is that?"

  Darcy shook her head. "It's far too dangerous to move back and forth between the planes. It's bad enough to jump from one world to the next, but the Graylands have a way of sucking energy and life from a person. That plane was not made for the living. I f you want a long and healthy life then always make a visit to the Graylands your least acceptable option."

  All I could do in response was to nod.

  Now Darcy mentioned it I realized that every time I'd been to the Graylands I'd come back exhausted and hadn't regained full-strength until days later. I wouldn't challenge her on her opinion.

  We all got to our feet and Jess and Darcy started for the hallway. They could have just vanished right there but Jess preferred to look as though she came and went like a normal person. Unless she had no choice.

  As they walked off, Ian said, "Let me accompany you out," as if they were going to grab their jackets or something. I was amused, yes, but it was also cute to see him so obviously enamoured of someone.
/>
  As they left I turned and caught Dad's grin and narrowed my eyes at him. "Whatever you're thinking, stop. Leave him alone."

  "I have no idea what you mean," he said, trying to look innocent.

  "You know exactly what I mean. Don't go sticking your nose in his business. We all want him to find someone to settle down with, but if you nose around trying to find out how serious the relationship is, it'll die a very quick death."

  Logan grinned.

  Dad made a weird sound and even opened his mouth to respond.

  I didn't wait. I raised my hand and began counting off on my fingers, "Lizbeth, Annamarie, Patrice, Mary, Tina." I raised my eyebrows. "And those were all in the space of a year. Shall I continue?"

  Dad folded his arms. "I had no idea you were paying such close attention to your brother's love-life."

  I smiled serenely. "When you don't have one of your own, the love-lives of others become very interesting. Besides, brothers were invented so that sisters could mind their business."

  I grinned and walked over to slip a hand into the crook of Logan's arm, not yet ready to reveal to my parent that my own love-life was dying as we spoke. Thankfully, Logan played his part, leaning forward to shake hands and say goodbye.

  "Speaking of love-lives, where is your special squeeze?"

  Dad frowned. "I'm not sure. She headed out with Grams to do some of their own investigations." He scowled. "And they wouldn't tell what they were up to. Those women are courting trouble."

  I laughed. "You're talking about two high-profile intelligence agents, one a no-nonsense walker and the other an demon-hunting tracker. I think they can take care of themselves."

  Dad merely grunted before shaking Logan's outstretched hand.

  When we headed out into the hall, Iain nowhere to be found. As we stepped out into the cold night Logan threw an arm around my shoulder and drew me closer.

  "Should I order a cardigan for you?" He quirked an eyebrow.

  I glared at him, pulled Dad's cable-knit around me, and lifted my chin. "No thank you."

  He handed me the helmet, mouth twitching. "Are you sure?"

  "Just drive, smartass." I put the helmet on, climbed onto the Harley behind him, and we sped off.

  On the return home the landscape was the last thing on my mind. When Logan eased the bike to a stop outside my apartment I slid off, drawing the helmet off my head.

  "I've made a decision," I said, and handed him the helmet. "I'm joining Omega."

  CHAPTER 47

  LOGAN'S FACE WENT TERRIBLY STILL and he watched me, dark eyes going darker than I even thought possible. Very slowly, he swung his leg over the seat and came to a standstill in front of me.

  "Are you insane?"

  "What you mean?" I asked. "You've been wanting me to join Omega and now suddenly you think it's a bad idea?

  "I don't think it's a bad idea." He sounded like he was talking to a mentally incompetent three-year-old. "I think it's an insane idea. With everything that's been happening, with the likelihood that an Immortal could be behind these killings, with the possibility that Storm could be working with Omega, you really think that I would condone your doing something that could endanger your life? You should be joining The High Council's Elite."

  I folded my arms, even though the action proved quite awkward with the helmet within my grasp. "Don't you see? This could be the best opportunity possible. And besides, I have this whole blood promise thing hanging over my head, remember? I promised them that I wouldn't jeopardize their involvement until I fulfill me end."

  Logan frowned. He still hadn't confirmed whether he would join the Elite with me, either. No judgement.

  "If I agree to join Omega, it'll look like I'm going over to their side. They'll think I'm softening toward them. Maybe drop their guard."

  "It's too risky, Kai"

  I shrugged. "Your clearance has been downgraded for a reason. They're suspicious. Maybe if they believe you've recruited me like they asked you'll be reinstated. Have you considered that possibility?" I could see he hadn't. But he still wasn't happy.

  Logan narrowed his eyes. "Fine, I'll take you in tomorrow."

  He started past me, but I grabbed his arm. "I want to go now."

  He shoved both hands through his hair. "You must be crazy. At least take some time to think about it."

  I shook my head. "I don't need time. I don't have time. I've already thought about, and I think we're out of choices. Sentinel came up with nothing new--nothing. It won't hurt for me to try."

  He made a rude sound under his breath. My heart twisted and I pushed the feelings of rejection deep inside me. I had a job to do. I had no time to sit here bemoaning my broken heart.

  I shoved the helmet back on and hopped onto the bike. He stood on the pavement for a couple of breaths and then took his place in front of me.

  His back was stiff, bleeding suppressed frustration and fear as he drove to the Omega headquarters.

  It was obvious that Logan was wondering what the hell I was up to. Was it desperation that was making me do something that I'd said I'd never would? I really wasn't sure.

  We entered the building and as we traversed the lobby and threaded through little groups of people I drew on my calm.

  We stopped in front of the elevators and Logan thumbed the button. He didn't say a word to me as we waited, staring at the numbers lighting up in a row above the doors.

  At last, the elevator opened and a group of people exited, all hurrying off to whatever lives they had. As they were Omega people they probably had no lives at all.

  I entered the elevator with Logan and was about to turn and face the door when Logan touched the base of my spine--a gentle warning.

  I didn't have to look far for the reason.

  A man had entered the small space and stood inside the doors, his back against the side wall so I could see only his profile. And then he turned his head.

  A flare of fury raced through Brett Nevins's fiery golden eyes and as the elevator doors closed the temperature within the small space dropped low enough to bring goose bumps to my skin.

  Seconds later the temperature rose again, his expression smoothed, and he focused on the passing floor numbers as if the other occupants of the elevator were not worth his attention. At the next floor he brushed through the barely open doors and made a left into the corridor.

  I didn't move.

  I stood there until the doors sealed shut, with Logan's hand warm on my lower back, and wondered what the hell had just happened. If I hadn't seen that initial flare of rage in Nevins's eyes I'd have thought he hadn't recognized me.

  But the fact he'd recognized me wasn't my only concern. The cheek my panther had ripped up only yesterday was perfectly smooth, unmarred by anything except a faint five o'clock shadow.

  A glance at Logan's face confirmed that he too had watched Nevins's little acting job. "He pretended he didn't recognize you."

  I waved that irrelevancy away. "Did you see?"

  Logan's lips curled in a cold smile. "You mean the lack of damage to his face?"

  "How observant you are."

  Logan snorted. "Now, how do you suppose he's managed to heal his face this fast?"

  I had no idea. "I feel like I'm in The Twilight Zone."

  "Didn't peg you for an old movie buff."

  "I'm not." I let out a slow breath. "What now? He's seen me. And I didn't exactly play it cool and pretend ignorance the way he did. He knew I knew him."

  "Best thing is to go with the flow. Be natural. Keep it cool. Fill the forms and go through the motions. Do nothing untoward. You're just a walker joining Omega."

  I nodded. "We have to find another way to get into the computer system undetected." I let out a short laugh. "As long as we don't do a Grams we'll be fine."

  Logan frowned, but I waved the question away. "I have an idea. I know someone who has the particular skills we need."

  And now I was grinning. We had just the ticket to get this job done. And he'd b
een there all along.

  Baz.

  CHAPTER 48

  REGISTERING AT OMEGA WAS ANTICLIMACTIC.

  I filled in forms, smiled blandly at the enthusiastic registration officer who seemed thrilled that I was 'joining the team'--albeit on a contractual basis, and then we headed home.

  This time, when I got home I intended to rest. The whole awful day was taking its toll.

  But first, I needed to check on Anjelo. So as soon as I got off the bike and gave Logan his helmet back I called him. A quiet Anjelo tended to be a dangerous one, and I hadn't heard a peep from him for hours now and I was beginning to worry.

  After a few rings the call went to voice mail.

  Not a good sign.

  Entering my apartment, I came to a sudden stop, so sharply that Logan almost ran into me from behind. He stopped with his hands on my shoulders to support him.

  In the end it was me who need the support.

  The apartment was in a shambles, completely trashed. From where I stood I could see into my bedroom where my mattress had been tossed onto the floor, its insides ripped open and its foam and springs spilled out like the guts of a dead animal.

  I raced into my room and shoved my closet door wide open. Although my clothing had been torn off the hangers, and the shelves rifled through, the back wall appeared to be intact. The hidden space containing our weapons was still secure.

  I returned to the living room grateful we were at least still armed.

  "Why the hell don't I smell them?" I mumbled. Then I let out a sharp laugh. "Hazmat suits."

  "What?" asked Logan as he checked the windows.

  "Never mind," I mumbled, heading to look through the rest of the apartment. It was a mess. When I got back to the living room Logan was busy straightening furniture and putting the totally ruined stuff in a pile beside the kitchen counter.