The Redemption Series

by Melynda Price

  Liam’s unwavering gaze locked and held Saphat’s through the impenetrable bars. Unmoving, he returned the elder’s assessing stare, unapologetic and rigidly defiant. Right or wrong, he stood behind the decisions he’d made. What’s done was done—too late for second thoughts or second chances. Violating Olivia’s free will had been the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he’d done it to save her life and to spare her the pain of letting him go. He’d be damned if he’d admit regret now. If they intended to keep him here until he repented, then he’d stay behind these bars forever.

  “I’m sorry I did this to you,” Saphat amended. “If anyone could have walked among the mortals and not fallen into temptation, it would have been you, Liam. I never should have sent you there.”

  Of all the things he expected Saphat to say, an apology had not been among them. “You give me too much credit,” he told the elder, finding himself wanting to ease his apparent guilt. It was difficult to hold the elder’s regretful stare, and he broke away to resume pacing.

  “No. I don’t think we gave you enough credit. I don’t think the other elders realize the compromising position we placed you in. You should know the decision to take Olivia from you…wasn’t made lightly—or wholly agreed upon. We realize she’d be dead, were it not for your actions, your sacrifice—”

  With the speed of a striking serpent, Liam stopped pacing and spun on the elder. Gripping the cage of his cell, he shook the door, rattling the unbreakable stone. “Then for the love of the Father, let me out!”

  Saphat took a startled step back and then quickly regained his dignified pose, uncomfortably clearing his throat. “That’s partly why I’m here. Liam, we have been unsuccessful in locating the Nephilim you reported.”

  “I’m not surprised. He’s kept his existence a secret this long. He can blend in with the humans. You’ll not find him unless he wants you to.” Liam gave the elder a sardonic chuckle. “You didn’t think he was going to make this easy, did you? But in all honesty, I fail to see how any of this concerns me now.”

  Something flashed in Saphat’s eyes that fueled the dread burning in Liam’s gut, and he knew, at that moment, the unease gnawing at him all day was not unfounded.

  “Liam, Olivia is missing.”

  “What?” The barked demand echoed throughout the antechamber. “What do you mean ‘missing’? Are you telling me Tate lost her? How in the hell do you lose the human you’re bonded to?”

  “That’s the problem. He’s not bonded to her. We didn’t know the connection was not made. He can’t feel her emotions. Somehow, she’s managed to block him.”

  “Well, I sure as hell can’t feel her anymore!”

  His irreverent tongue brought a scowl of displeasure to the elder.

  “How long have you known about this?”

  “We didn’t discover the bonding was unsuccessful until he petitioned the court for full revocation of her free will.”

  “Absolutely not. You can’t do that to her!” Violating her free will was bad enough, but revoking it was another matter completely.

  Saphat held up his hand, staying Liam’s argument. “His motion was denied. There are lines we will not cross, even if the result is death. However, there remains the issue of bonding, and when Tate returned last night to attempt, once again, to persuade her into accepting his guardianship, she was gone. Her car was found at the state park.”

  “Restore my bond to her.”

  “I cannot. Once the bond has been severed, it can’t be undone. We are concerned the Nephilim might have taken the mortal—”

  “Why would you believe that?” Liam demanded.

  “Tate’s been searching for her and he’s made some…concerning discoveries. The human she’d intended to marry was killed the night before she disappeared. Earlier that evening, he and the female had an altercation in which we believe the Nephilim intervened. Tate has not seen this Neph around her, but her friend, Ashley, has. We know he’s had contact with her at least once. During their argument, Mitch accused the two of being involved—”

  “That mother fu—” At the elder’s scowl, he cut the oath short. Was it possible Olivia and Haden had become involved? It was a bone-chilling thought he’d not considered. But without the ‘afore knowledge of who and what Haden was, could it be possible that manipulative bastard was courting her? But why? She was no good to him now. Without her memory, she couldn’t lead him to the stone. And what in the hell has Tate been doing?—letting her run wild? His mind raced with possibilities and probable scenarios, all leaving him with a knifing pain in his gut, dread riding him hard to a near state of panic.

  “Let me out, Saphat. I can find the Nephilim. I know what he looks like, where he’d go if he does have Olivia. I will bring him in to face the council of the elders and then you can decide his fate. You’ve said it yourself, he can’t be left to his own ambitions. He must choose a side in this war.”

  When Saphat did not outright deny his request, Liam held a glimmer of hope he’d convinced the elder to set him free. His grip on the bars tightened as he struggled to school his voice. Emotion would gain him no measure of grace here. Factual, analytical, and tempered was the best way to convince his old friend to let him go.

  “What of the female?” Saphat challenged.

  “What of her? She doesn’t even know I exist. I wish only to assure her safety and to bring the heathenous Nephilim to justice. Had I not been forced to depart from Earth, I would have hunted him down months ago.”

  The seconds ticked by in painful silence as he waited for Saphat to either grant or deny his request. After a long moment, the elder nodded his consent. “As you say, the female has no knowledge of you. Make sure you keep it that way.” Turning, Saphat walked away and the lock on his cell fell away. On its own volition, the door swung open. The stipulation on Liam’s freedom weighed down on him like a crushing vice.

  Chapter Eleven

  Olivia sat in silence, counting the passing mile markers, each one bringing her closer to— “Where are you taking me?”

  Haden glanced at her, then turned his attention back on the road. “You really don’t remember anything at all?”

  The frustration in his voice was evident. How many times did they have to go over this? “Not since the last time we had this conversation. Just forget it,” she sighed in frustration.

  “How long have you known about your sight, Olivia?”

  She hesitated to answer. Opening up to Haden didn’t exactly seem like the smartest move here. But on the other hand, if she wanted him to talk to her, to help her fill in the gaps of her memory, someone was going to have to take the first leap of faith.

  “A week.”

  “And the first time?”

  “I hardly see how that matters.”

  “I’m trying to determine just how thoroughly you’ve been fucked over here. I’m putting my bet on royally. Tell me what you know of your past.”

  Was he truly trying to help or take advantage of her?—probably both. She’d be a fool to trust him. Then again, it wasn’t like she had a lot of options. More than anything, she wanted her memory back, and there was no doubt in her mind Haden held the answers. There wasn’t any reason she couldn’t use him as thoroughly as he was using her. The sooner he let down his guard, the sooner she could get away, because she had no intention of going wherever Haden was taking her. She had zero doubt in her mind he would do terrible things to her if he thought it’d bring Liam back.

  “I remember nothing of the last four years,” she hesitantly confessed. “I found a journal I’d been writing in after Liam left. It was helpful in filling in some details, but nothing was familiar to me. I dream of him, but am unsure if I’m remembering events, or if it’s nothing more than wishful thinking.” She didn’t miss the subtle tug of his brows at the mention of Liam’s name.

  He was silent, seeming thoughtful for a moment. “I saw you that day at The Wrath. You were there with a fallen angel. Do you know which day I’m speaking of?�
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  She did. Not because she remembered any of it, but because that had been the first day she had met Liam. She’d written of it in great detail in her journal. “You’ve been watching me for almost four years?” The thought sent a chill of unease shuddering through her body. Yeah, she definitely needed to get away from this guy—ASAP.

  His chuckle held a note of mild amusement as he cast his sea-green gaze on her. “Don’t flatter yourself. I wholly expected you’d be dead by now. Kudos to your guardian. It’s no small feat he’s managed to keep you alive this long. You can imagine my surprise when I happened to cross your path again and noticed you happened to be in possession of something I needed.”

  “The stone—”

  He nodded.

  “I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me why you want it so badly.”

  “I don’t suppose that I will. Let’s just suffice it to say that without it, the last hundred years of my existence will have been in vain. Nothing, and no one, will keep me from my revenge.”

  Sitting there studying him, she was reminded of the cliché “still waters run deep,” and wondered to what depth Haden’s truly ran. Without a doubt, his carried an undertow that would drown anyone attempting to get too close. “Who has hurt you, Haden? What could someone have possibly done to you to incur such wrath?” She told herself she really didn’t care. It was nothing but morbid curiosity that she asked—really.

  His taut brows hiked even closer, darkening his scowl another degree, but the more time she spent with him, the less effect that bad-ass glower had on her. “Don’t mistake my conversation for friendship, Olivia.”

  She let out a sarcastic laugh and held up her hands. “Whoa, never that. Heaven forbid someone might figure out you’re not the asshole you pretend to be.”

  He probably wasn’t pretending, but how badly did she want to believe there was something honorable in him? And, no doubt, that was the greatest error in her thinking, for the thought no sooner entered her mind, when Haden replied, “Why do you insist on looking for good where it does not exist? You will only find pain and disappointment for your effort.”

  “Because I believe there is more to you than the darkness you cloak yourself in. I don’t deny that you frighten me, Haden, but I cannot believe that, in all the years you’ve lived, that it’s all come down to this—revenge. And if that’s truly the case, then my heart breaks for you.”

  “Whatever. I don’t need your pity, Olivia, and I sure as hell don’t need you Dr. Philling me to death over here. And FYI, it’s nothing Liam wouldn’t do to avenge your death, and if you think he’s above such consuming emotions, then you’re a fool.”

  Haden had been in love…? The mere thought of it nearly baffled her. Could it be that all this plotting, the hatred, his anger—his revenge—was over the love of a woman? “What was her name?”

  “We’re supposed to be talking about you,” he grouched.

  Impulsively, she reached over and laid her hand on his arm. His muscles leapt beneath her fingertips as if surprised by the light contact. Had she taken a moment to consider it, she’d have realized her folly in reaching out to him, physically or emotionally. Haden was like a caged lion getting poked with a stick. It wouldn’t take long before he struck back. Still, she gave him another jab, curiosity outweighing common sense.

  “What was her name?”

  “What does it matter?” he verily growled.

  “I just wish to know the name of the woman that loved you enough to warrant such devotion from a male who claims to possess no goodness.”

  Haden’s stoic expression darkened like the ominous skies of an impending storm. “Well, that was her fatal mistake,” he growled.

  For just a moment, his apathetic mask slipped, and Olivia glimpsed a hint of true vulnerability and a whole lot of regret. “I’m sorry…” She didn’t know what else to say, but it made the words no less true. She was sorry—sorry for his heartbreak, sorry for what his grief had made him become, sorry for the guilt and blame he obviously still carried, and sorry for the insensitive remark she’d made back at the hotel about him not understanding loss.

  “I don’t want your pity,” he snapped harshly, jerking his arm out from beneath her touch.

  His rejection stung more than she wanted to admit; nor did she understand why she particularly cared. “It’s not pity. It’s called empathy—something I wouldn’t expect you to know anything about. Memory or not, I know what it’s like to have your heart broken, and as much as I don’t like you, I’d never wish that on anyone. Not even my worst enemy.”

  “Is that what you think I am?”

  His questioning look gave her pause. Olivia didn’t rightly know how to answer that. She supposed her response would be different each time he asked. Four hours ago, when she was trapped beneath his hard, unyielding body, she would have said yes. But now, getting the tiniest glimpse into his past, the lines of friend and foe were growing skewed.

  When she didn’t reply, taking far too long for his short patience, his tawny brow arched expectantly—waiting for an answer.

  “I think…I think that you could be. Especially once you realize I can’t give you what you want.” Did he realize she was talking about more than just the stone?

  His sardonic chuckle hinted that he might, sending a shiver of unease racing up her spine. “Olivia, you underestimate the resourcefulness of a male in need.”

  Was he talking about more than just the stone? Lord, she prayed not.

  “And for the record, I am not your greatest threat. We share the same enemy. You just don’t realize it yet.”

  The sun had long since set, the colorful tapestry fading to black before Haden finally stopped for the night. Several hours passed with neither of them speaking, which was fine with Olivia because she’d quickly learned that she didn’t care for what he had to say. Her initial hope of gleaning memories from him had been dashed when he’d confessed to strangling her in Vegas and leading a legion of demons to her in Duluth. If he wasn’t her biggest threat, then she’d sure hate to see his competition. Honestly, it was a miracle she was still alive.

  He’d scoffed at her ire upon learning of the attack, snarking, “Please, had I wanted to kill you, you’d be dead by now.” Reassuring, that was not. He’d told her of his attempt to steal the necklace and of her little stunt that nearly got her killed in Duluth. At least now she knew what had happened to her, though she found it difficult to believe she’d ever willingly walk into a demon bar. Haden had no explanation for that, either, except pure stupidity, which for once she’d have to agree with him. It was nothing short of a miracle she’d survived.

  All said and done, she was left with a mixed bag of emotions when it came to Haden. In truth, she didn’t believe he wanted to harm her, nor did she trust him not to. A few times, as they traveled in silence, she’d catch him watching her. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear that softening in his surly scowl was perhaps a note of affection. But then she’d remember how she came to be here with him, and she’d reach up and poke the tender spot on her temple, just for good measure, then scold herself for being such an idiot.

  “We’re getting close. We’ll stop here for the night.” Haden nodded at the Super 8 across the street as he pulled into a poorly lit parking lot of a local-looking bar and cut the engine.

  She didn’t know where “close” or “here” was. Nor was she particularly hungry, her appetite quelled by a healthy dose of carsickness and Haden’s earlier revelations. But the idea of getting out of this car was too tempting an offer to pass up. As they approached the single-door entrance, two men burst out, muscling each other to be first. Before she could jump out of the way, Haden grabbed her wrist, jerking her back with one hand and palm striking the taller of the two with the other.

  “What the fuck!” the guy yelled, stumbling to gain his footing.

  “Watch it,” Haden snarled, pulling her to stand behind him, but not soon enough to avoid getting ogled by the guy’s buddy. />
  “Hey, sweetheart…”

  Had those two assholes not been tanked up with liquid courage, they would have realized their lives were in grave danger. Haden’s low warning growl was the only notice they’d get to run, and neither one of them was moving. She could feel the tension coiling in his taut muscles as he prepared to strike.

  Snagging Haden’s arm with both hands, she put all her weight into pulling him back. “Haden, don’t,” she pleaded. “It’s not worth it. I’m fine.” She was surprised when he reluctantly recanted and allowed her to lead him inside. “What’s wrong with you?” she hissed under her breath as they entered the bar.

  “Me?” He shot her a surprised look. “Did you not see the way that bastard was looking at you?”

  She saw it. What she didn’t understand was why he was getting so bent about it. He acted as if he had some sort of claim on her or something.

  “I saw it. They were drunk, Haden. You can’t go around hitting people whenever they piss you off.”

  The stubborn set of his jaw and arrogantly cocked brow begged to differ. “I was going to do more than hit him,” he growled.

  She had no doubt he spoke the truth. As they entered the main part of the bar, she drew a breath to give him an earful, but the air froze in her lungs. The acid scent of sulfur burned her nose. A wave of panic sent a rush of adrenaline flooding her veins. Fight or flight sent her pulse hammering inside her chest, the latter being the better of the two options here as an odd sense of déjà vu struck her.

  Something was wrong. Haden must have smelled it too, because he tensed. His hold on her hand tightened to nearly painful as he muttered a foul curse under his breath. She scanned the crowded bar, squinting to see past the haze of smoke surrounding too many patrons to count.

  “You see them, don’t you?” he murmured low beneath his breath.

  She swallowed, trying to wet her suddenly parched throat and nodded. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was seeing, but whatever it was, she knew she shouldn’t be here. Her grip tightened on Haden’s hand. “I want to leave,” she whispered, taking a hesitant step back as more and more sets of eyes began to fall on her—some in blatant interest, some in curiosity, others in contempt, as if they, too, knew she didn’t belong here.