by Unknown
“Zachary.”
Zach winced. How Gareth had gotten their mother’s tone of voice just right he’d never know, but he instinctively wanted to shuffle his feet and come up with a really good reason why he’d fucked up this time.
“Did someone give you shit?”
“Mez,” he muttered around a mouthful of chocolate gunk.
“Who?”
And there it was. Gareth’s tone had gone hard, all teasing and affection leeched from it. He could just picture his brother ready to head out and kick some witch ass.
Zach swallowed quickly. “Long story.”
“Tell it to me when you get to Chris’s house. He’s waiting for you. So are Lana and Daniel. I’ll be there shortly. And Zach?”
Aw shit. He’d been hoping to avoid Chris for another twenty years or so. “Yeah?”
“We’ll take care of it.” Gareth hung up before Zach could answer. He had to swallow the lump in his throat.
They might think he was a complete fuck-up, but he was their fuck-up. Nobody messed with a Beckett boy without messing with all the Beckett boys.
Shit. It felt really good to be home.
Annabelle stepped into the kitchen. She stared at him and tapped her foot. “Well?”
Zach shoved another cookie in his mouth and hoped she’d take the hint.
Annabelle grunted. “Going to Chris’s?”
He nodded. He might actually get out of this without a lecture. Never mind he’d come here for her help. He wanted his brothers around him in the worst way. If Chris wanted to kick his ass for hurting Lana, so be it. He just…needed them.
“I’m coming with you.”
Zach swallowed the gooey mess before answering. “Cool. I’ll only have to explain it once.”
Annabelle just shook her head and snagged her own cookie. “Just as long as you explain it. Got it?”
Zach knew an order when he heard one. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Jo?”
She snarled at Ro from the depths of the scratchy white blanket and wooden board she was forced to lie down on. “What?”
He bit his lip. “Do I want to know?”
“Fucking Beckett asshole.” She gritted her teeth against the pain in her head and sat up. She hated hospitals. She hated the fucking hard-ass hospital beds they made you sleep in until you needed yet another doctor for the back pain. She hated needles. She especially hated the stupid gowns they always shoved you into that let your hoo-ha hang out the back for all the world to see. It really sucked when you wore nothing but thongs.
And she would get a male nurse.
“What happened?” He shut the door and leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Beckett locked his front door.”
Ro blinked. “Most people do.”
“No, I mean he locked it. He cast something on it that would respond to an attempt to enter by magic. It knocked me on my ass and gave me a damn concussion.” She’d begged the doctors to release her but they’d refused to do so until someone came who was willing to watch over her. She’d hoped Roland would do so, but he had that look on his face, the one that said he hoped she’d learned her lesson.
She was going to have to call Ari to come and pick her up, she just knew it.
Ro frowned. “Why were you trying to break into his place?”
She bit her lip and tried to explain her bad feelings about Zach’s disappearing act. “Something tells me our little protégé is heading into trouble, but I don’t know why or what.”
He nodded. “Did you check with his family?”
She opened her mouth, but realized she had nothing to say. Her first thought had been to get to Zach as quickly as possible.
“You didn’t, did you?”
She clamped her lips shut. She’d had good reasons for trying to get inside Zach’s house. Besides, dealing with one Beckett male was bad enough, but four of them?
Weren’t the four horsemen of the apocalypse supposed to be brothers?
“Jo. Zachary Beckett is considered a member of the Evans clan. Even if you didn’t feel right calling his family directly you should have called Mrs. Evans.” He glared at her, suddenly every inch the Prince. “Not attempted a B&E.”
She flopped back against her pillow. Something told her that no matter what she did there was no way she could win this argument.
“What would you tell the children if they tried something so harebrained? You’re lucky the only thing that happened was a really bad headache, Jo.”
She grabbed hold of the flat white pillow and shoved it over her face. It wouldn’t do to have Roland hear her scream.
They were on the road before Zach was done swallowing the last of the milk. Before he knew it they were pulling up in front of Chris’s house, his brothers’ cars sitting on the lawn. He escorted Annabelle up to the front door and rang the bell.
The door swung open so quickly he was surprised the brunette opening it didn’t land right on her ass. “Zach!” He stepped into Chris and Lana’s house and right into an armful of curvy female. He hugged her back, delighted with the warm welcome. “Hey, Lana.”
A low, canine growl sounded from behind his soon-to-be sister-in-law.
He lifted his hands from Lana’s hips and held them up in the air, but didn’t bother trying to dislodge her. “Hey, Chris.”
Lana turned around and smacked Chris right in the chest. “Be nice.”
“As long as he keeps his hands to himself it won’t be a problem.”
Zach grinned at his older brother over Lana’s shoulders. Chris’s golden eyes twinkled at him. Well hell. He actually looks happy to see me. Chris’s dark hair was immaculate, unlike Zach’s unruly mop. His broad shoulders were encased in a shirt two shades darker than his eyes. He stood with an unconscious arrogance that probably drove Lana nuts. He was a powerful wizard, a werewolf, and the mate of a witch who could kick serious ass. Chris was the epitome of the Beckett male.
Again, unlike Zach.
Zach ran his fingers through his hair and gave his brother his best puppy-dog grin. Fuck, he was tired. Between the flight, the drive to Philly and then the drive out to his brother’s house, situated between Philly and Pittsburgh, he was even more exhausted than he had been when he’d first arrived at Annabelle’s. “Miss me?”
“C’mere.” Chris yanked him out of Lana’s arms and into his own, pounding his back with bruising force. “Yeah, I missed you.”
Zach blinked away the sudden wetness in his eyes. Thank God someone was glad he was around. He pounded Chris right back awkwardly, the motion making his damaged hand throb viciously. It’s worth it. Any pain was worth knowing his brother was alive. “Missed you too.”
He let Chris hook an arm around his neck and drag him into the great room, which, thank the Goddess, was no longer purple. The contemporary armchairs were back to warm gold, the sofa once again pale cream. The cobalt blue was back on the walls, the color framing that incredible stainless steel and glass tile fireplace. The floors were once more dark cherry, the wooden coffee table and end tables a lighter cherry. He wasn’t certain how his brother had managed to remove the deep amethyst color from almost everything, but the room looked just like he remembered it. The only difference was the glass tile around the fireplace. It was the only thing in the room that remained purple. “Looks good.” He pointed toward the tile. “Why did you leave that, though?” The original tile had been more neutral in color, more Chris’s style.
Chris shrugged. “Just a reminder of what’s really important.” He motioned Zach toward the sofa with a grin, ignoring Zach’s frown of confusion. A reminder of what? His screw-up baby brother? “It took us a while, but Lana figured out part, I figured out part and Grammy helped with the rest.”
He flopped down on the sofa with a wince. Damn he was tired. “I’m really sorry, bro.”
“No harm done.” Chris flopped down next to him. “Although if I had turned purple we would have had words.”
“You would
look stunning with amethyst eyes.” Lana curled up on one of the armchairs, her bare feet tucked under her. She looked very much at home now, unlike when she’d first become Chris’s mate. She’d fought their mate bond with everything in her, only giving in when it appeared Chris’s life was in danger. “Sort of like a male Elizabeth Taylor.”
Chris rolled his eyes. “Mom would have a fit. And when Mom has a fit, I hide under the bed and pray for the apocalypse. That I have a chance of surviving.”
Zach tried to hide his yawn. “Where’s Daniel?”
“He had to run home to take care of something work related, but he’ll be back in a few hours.” Lana frowned at him. “You want to take a nap until the rest of the pack gets here?”
Zach blinked at her, grateful beyond belief for the suggestion and the concern behind it. His brother had truly lucked out in the mate department. “Please?” It felt like all the pressure he’d been under since Annabelle Evans had banished him to Cleveland was suddenly lifted from his shoulders.
Fuck, it was good to be home.
“I think we need to discuss what happened.” Chris had his big-brother hat on, and Zach wasn’t sure he was going to leave. “I want to know exactly what happened.”
Lana smiled at Zach, holding up her hand and stilling the protest he’d been about to utter. “I’ve got this.” Lana got to her feet. “Chris? I’m going to be in our bedroom, naked, in the next ten seconds.” She darted out of the room and ran for the stairs, her laughter tinkling in her wake.
Zach’s jaw dropped open.
“Hell. Bye, bro!” Chris dashed off after his mate, her giggles suddenly cutting off.
Zach pulled one of the soft decorative pillows over his head and hoped their antics didn’t keep him awake. When he heard Lana squeal he started to laugh.
When it cut off abruptly, he held the pillow even tighter over his face.
He could understand the sudden loneliness that hit him, but it wouldn’t do for anyone to find him crying.
Chapter Four
Darkness would be a blessing. Too bad they’d chosen to light a fire.
Zach could barely see. His eyes were swollen shut. He’d howl, except he was muzzled. His paws were bloody from trying to scrabble free of the cage the men had put him in. A chain had been locked around his neck with a silver collar, enchanted to be unbreakable even by magic, hobbling him in place. He’d tried to turn back into his human form, but it was magically sealed to keep him wolf until they were ready for him.
He was helpless to save her.
A dark altar had been placed right where Zach could watch the horror unfold. A hooded man stood over a naked woman, bound to the altar with silver, enchanted chains. Blood stained that silver, a mark of the sacrifices that had gone before. He could see the woman straining at her bonds, her wrists chafed raw from the cuffs.
A knife flashed into the air. The chanting increased in intensity. The foul language seared his ears. Below the girl, the runes on the altar glowed a vicious green. They were going to sacrifice her to the dark powers, and there was nothing he could do about it.
The girl turned her head and pleaded with her eyes for Zach to save her. Zach increased his struggles against his bonds as he realized just who was strapped down on the altar. He renewed his struggle to get free of his bonds, ignoring the blood that littered the grass beneath his feet.
He couldn’t let those bastards kill Jo.
“Shhh.”
The dream faded, leaving Zach feeling somewhat queasy. What the fuck?
“Is he asleep?”
Zach kept his eyes closed and his limbs loose. He didn’t want to give away that he knew his brother Daniel was close.
Payback time, asshole. Daniel tortured him incessantly. Zach had his own way of getting some of his own back.
“I don’t know. He’s been through a lot and looks like hell. Maybe we should just let him rest.” Gareth’s worried voice came closer.
“Why the hell would we want to do that?”
Thanks a lot, Daniel.
“Fine. You wake him up then.”
And that’s why Gareth’s going to be King someday. He waited until he felt Daniel’s breath, lifted his hand, and smacked his brother right in the forehead without even opening his eyes.
“Ow!”
Gareth’s laughter rang out through the room.
Because he’s the smart brother.
“Goddamn it, Zach. You’re such a buttmunch.”
He opened his eyes to see Daniel rubbing his forehead and scowling. “Good to see you too, asswipe.” Gareth was hunched over behind him, still howling. “We got any food around here? I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving,” Daniel grumbled. He threw himself into one of the armchairs. “What’s up?”
And just like that the solidarity that was the Becketts swirled around him. Gareth stopped laughing and Daniel stopped scowling long enough to look concerned.
Unfortunately Zach was still starving. His stomach rumbled loud enough to be heard. “Talk over pizza?”
“Ugh.” Daniel grunted and slumped into his chair. “You never change, do you?”
Zach lowered his head so the others couldn’t see his face.
Nah. Looked like he never really changed.
“Daniel? Shut the fuck up and go get Chris and Lana.”
“But—”
“Now.”
“Fine.” Daniel got out of his chair and stomped toward the door. “But you’d better order me pepperoni, damn it.”
Gareth waited until Daniel was out of the room before taking a seat on the sofa near Zach’s feet. “How’s the hand?”
Zach cradled it to his chest without even thinking. “Fine.”
Gareth’s eyes narrowed, their amber color a touch darker than Chris’s, a hint lighter than Daniel’s. Only Zach had the blue eyes of their mother, further setting him apart from his brothers. “Take off the glove.”
Zach glared right back. “Fuck you.”
“Zachary David Elijah Beckett! Language!” Annabelle Evans swept into the room. She took a swipe at the back of his head and he let her connect. By now he was so used to hurting that the blow felt no more painful than a puff of air. “Shoo.” She waved Gareth off the sofa and took his place. “Take off the glove.”
He glared at her.
She glared back, daring him to disobey.
Zach had seen that look before. With a sigh he pulled off the glove, unwrapped the bandage and held out his hand for inspection.
“Holy fuck.”
Zach looked over his shoulder and met the horrified eyes of his brother Chris. “Hey.” He tried to pull his hand back but Annabelle had a good grip on his wrist and wasn’t about to let go.
Damn it. He hadn’t wanted Chris to see this, not now, possibly not ever.
“Shit, Zach.” Chris crouched down next to him, his gaze glued to the wreck of Zach’s hand. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Daniel pushed past Chris, his gaze as horrified as Chris’s.
Zach curled his fingers and hid the agony as best he could. “It’s no big deal.”
“You’re still hurting. That makes it a huge deal.” Annabelle gently unfurled his fingers. The hiss escaped his lips before he could stop it. Annabelle tsked. “It’s worse, isn’t it?”
“Goddess, Zach.” Chris ran his hand through his black hair. “Does Mom know about this?”
Zach was appalled. “No, and if you tell her about it I’ll tell her the truth about the snakes.”
It was Chris’s turn to look dismayed. “You wouldn’t!”
Zach leaned forward and pasted his sternest expression on his face. “Try me.”
Chris nodded. “Consider my lips sealed.”
Zach took his hand back and pulled the black leather glove back on. The brand on his palm burned white hot. He saw the look Chris shot Gareth at the sight of the Hecate’s wheel permanently branded onto his skin. He ran his finger over the leather th
at covered the symbol. He knew what it looked like, and why the brothers were so concerned. Three hammer-like arms were drawn equidistant from one another in an unbroken, triskelion-like design. In the center of the symbol was a wheeling sun, the six rays bent back. The symbol was surrounded by a perfect circle. There were those who considered Hecate, the goddess of magic, to be on the dark side. Others might whisper to Athena when seeking wisdom, or call out to Danu while stirring the cauldron, but Zach had always been drawn to Hecate more than any other aspect of the Goddess.
“How’s Lana’s hand?” He knew the other side of the protection amulet he’d used to save Chris had branded a wolf into her palm. He also knew it was one of the reasons Chris was so pissed at him. Lana would forever carry the mark of Zach’s ineptitude. He could have—no, should have—protected her better.
The brothers exchanged glances. He narrowed his eyes, concern for his sister-in-law overriding every other issue. “What?”
Lana came around the end of the sofa and held up her hand. There on her palm was the shadow of a wolf, complete with… “Lana?”
“Hmm?”
“Why does your wolf have blue eyes?”
She glared down at him. “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”
He felt his jaw drop. “What?”
“You’re in more trouble than I thought, aren’t you?” Her hands went to her hips and her foot started to tap.
He looked around the room. “I guess?” What was wrong now? Was Roland actually casting the spell to still him?
Gareth pinched the bridge of his nose. “Zach.”
Oh my God. He does sound just like Mom. Zach grinned up at him hoping to divert him. “When did you say the pizza will be here?”
Jo picked up the phone. She needed to find out if Zach was all right. The urge to check in on him was overwhelming. She punched in one of the numbers Roland had given her and listened to the woman’s cell phone ring. This time she hoped to get something better than the answering machine. She only hoped Annabelle Evans had her cell turned on.