Chapter Sixteen
Rebecca
“ARE YOU COMING TO BED, babe? We’ve got a long day ahead of us tomorrow” Gabriel’s voice crashed into Rebecca’s dismal thoughts as she sat in her office staring at the talisman she received from Natalia earlier that day. It looked like a polished pebble with odd markings. What happened that day was just as odd. Her entire life had become material for inmates at an asylum. Anyone outside of the supernatural world would never believe the stories she could tell them, and she had just joined the paranormal ranks herself. She hoped things would calm down, but that wasn’t looking like a possibility anytime soon. They needed to get rid of the Ophelia and Brick threat, find justice for the massacred wolves, and rebuild the pack. In fact, it seemed they were getting worse, and Jackson’s revelation that she would die at Ophelia’s hand wasn’t comforting either.
She quickly closed her laptop, and offered a weak smile at his sexy image in the doorway of her office. Long day was the understatement of the month. Tomorrow was the first day of Violet’s trial. Rebecca wasn’t expected to serve on the judging panel, but she was expected to be there as an observer, and Siren was expected to testify.
The grin on Gabe’s face faltered when he noticed her puffy eyes and blotchy face. He rushed into the room, and within moments, he was behind her caressing her neck and shoulders. “What’s got you so upset?”
Rebecca leaned into the magic his hands were producing on the knots in her back and neck. “I just finished with the last letter to the massacre victims’ families. So much death and tragedy, so many lives effected.” The Authority managed to hide all the deaths in tragedies that were happening around the Phoenix area. It only took three months to get every death accounted for which was a sad fact in itself. The human world seemed just as violent as the supernatural world. In fact, aside from the magical aspect, there was little difference between the two. It would be so easy to merge them together, the only hindrance would be fear. Fright and panic would decimate numbers on both sides. “I never knew there was that much tragedy even in the human world.” She dropped her head to give him better access to her neck, and closed her eyes against the tears that threatened to fall.
It was ironic. She’d become a werewolf seeking vengeance for the death of two people who were still alive, and she’d seen more death in her new life than she could ever imagine. Vengeance came at a high cost, one she wouldn’t have paid had she known the outcome. If she could go back in time and change that singular decision to become a werewolf she probably would, just for her sister, but hindsight was twenty-twenty they say. If she knew then what she knew now things would be different, but would they be better?
A sharp knock came at the office door interrupting the tender moment between her and her mate. She gave Gabriel a frown before asking, ‘I thought everyone would be in bed by now?’ using their mate connection to chat with him in his mind. It helped her avoid the tremor she was sure would be in her voice if she tried to use her vocal cords.
A similar frown appeared on his face. “Agreed.” He took four, long strides, and swung the door open.
Persephone held a sheepish looking Lucky by the scruff of the collar of his faded leather jacket. She offered a sarcastic smile before tossing their friend into the room past Gabriel who couldn’t seem to remove the irritation from between his brows.
“What’s the meaning of this, Seph?”
“Do you have any idea where I found our friend?” She asked as she shoved him into one of the chairs across from the desk where Rebecca sat.
“Lucky?” Rebecca raised a blonde brow in question. He looked defeated, and she didn’t like that look on him. He was one of her rocks. With everything that was happening around them, she didn’t need him breaking from the pressure as well.
“He was at the shelter.” Persephone cocked one of her hips out as she crossed her arms over her black t-shirt with neon-green skulls. Rebecca loved Persephone’s take-no-crap attitude, but now was not the time for snappy retorts.
“Lucky, what do the Protectors want with the shelter? It’s our domain.” Concern was strong in Rebecca’s voice. She really didn’t need more problems to deal with. After today’s attack, she needed to start recruiting, despite her hesitancy. The place to start was the shelter.
“He wasn’t there on Protector business as far as I could tell. He was there looking for a place to sleep.” Persephone rolled her eyes, and answered for the blond Nephilim who sank further into the chair.
“Lucky, why would you stay at a shelter?” Gabriel asked, concern in his voice, not anger, and that was one of the reasons Rebecca loved him so much. He had an amazing heart under his brute force.
“My mother and I had a differing of opinions,” Lucky finally spoke up.
“Oh, I hope it wasn’t over Felicity.” Rebecca pushed the laptop to the side, and gave him her undivided attention. Even after she chose Gabriel over him, she and Lucky had remained good friends. She prayed to whatever God that was listening that he wasn’t being forced to re-enter an engagement with that traitorous bitch of a woman. It wouldn’t be good for him or Savvy, who was clearly fighting feelings for her Nephilim friend.
Lucky shook his head. “No. She agrees Felicity is bad news, and believes having her in the family would soil our reputation.” His lip curled up in disgust. “I considered marrying the harpy just to piss off mother.”
Rebecca chuckled although the idea would’ve hurt him more than either of the two women mentioned. “So what happened?” She decided changing the subject was a good idea.
“I told her I was done with the Protectors.” Lucky finally sat up straight in his chair and grinned.
Rebecca knew something major must have happened for him to give up his spot in the Protectors. While Protectors can be any supernatural being, his family had made it an expectation to be in the ‘family business’. His mother was the local Protector Chief. His father died in the line of duty as a protector, and both his older sister, and brother, were in the supernatural police force. The idea that Lucky would give that up was unfathomable, and totally unforeseeable.
“You’re one of the best protectors in the city, Lucky. Why would you quit?” Gabriel asked the question that was on everyone’s mind.
Lucky shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I did. And when I did, my dear, sweet mother threw me out of the house.”
“And you went to a shelter?” Rebecca couldn’t understand why he didn’t come to her. She had more than enough space, and could easily hide him with all the properties the former alpha, Tomas, had acquired across the state of Arizona.
Lucky sighed heavily. “I don’t want to get any of my friends mixed up in this family feud. Coming here,” he nodded to Rebecca, acknowledging her silent question, “would involve you in a mess you don’t need right now, not with the trial, the deal you made with Becky, and the new responsibility you have rebuilding a torn down pack. You don’t need the extra headaches. And believe me, this is going to be a headache. The Protectors don’t like losing one of their own.”
Rebecca shook her head. “Ridiculous! You’re our friend, and friends stick together. You’re staying here, and I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Becca, I’m only trying to make--”
It was Gabriel that shook his head this time. “Lucky, you’re my oldest friend. If you don’t accept our offer, I’ll knock you out, and lock you in a room for the night.”
“I’d like to see you try.” Lucky stood up from the chair. He actually looked like he was ready for battle. The poor guy had been through so much, Rebecca’s heart broke for him. It was all too much, and now there was this estrangement from his family. She could understand his defensive response on a primal level.
It was Persephone that pushed him back down by his shoulder. He may be tough enough to take on one enforcer, but not two and an alpha. Lucky knew he’d lost the battle, but he wasn’t one to accept defeat easily. If this was truly a dangerous situation, he’d
go down swinging. “He also needs to eat,” Persephone said pointedly.
Rebecca nodded. “Persephone will you get our guest set up with everything he needs?” Persephone nodded her answer. “Lucky, if it will make you feel better, we won’t advertise that you’re staying here, but I need you to be safe so I’m asking you to please stay.” Rebecca rubbed the ache starting on the side of her head by her temple. “Besides, you’d be doing me a favor. I can’t worry about my friend’s safety right now with everything going on. Please stay for me.”
It was a way for him to save face. He was doing it for her now, and that made the pill easier to swallow. He nodded, his thanks clear in his eyes, and started to follow Persephone out the door.
“And maybe soon you’ll tell me what inspired your need to leave the Protectors,” Rebecca added with a sternness she wasn’t planning to use. Apparently, Siren was curious, and wanted to make sure she knew it. Her wolf flooded her with a dose of anxiety to reinforce the point.
‘Soon, he’ll tell us. There is no need to push the matter.’ Rebecca chided her wolf in her mind.
‘Waiting could be costly.’
‘You’re thinking like we’re still at war, Siren. We’re not. I don’t know if you have been told, but we are at peace at the moment,’ she responded sarcastically. Today’s attack proved the exact opposite, but at least she kept her promise to Becky. Ophelia and her pack were in Protector jail. She’d tried to relay the message to Becky for two hours before she sent Kia back to deliver the news in person. Her commitment to her double was completed. Now, she could focus on the twenty other issues on her plate.
‘Only fools believe in the concept of peace. There are always enemies waiting in the shadows to attack.’
‘Maybe, but tonight there is peace, and I’m ready for bed so shut off the anxiety flow and let me get some much needed rest.’ Rebecca turned to Gabriel when the room was cleared out. “Are you ready for bed, babe?”
It was all the invitation he needed. He pulled her into his arms, and kissed her with force. Rebecca loved the strength he exuded. Without warning, he picked her up, tossed her over his shoulder, and carried her to the bedroom. Yep, she really loved his strength and stamina.
Chapter Seventeen
Savannah
SAVANNAH HEARD THE PHONE RINGING through the fuzziness of falling asleep. She hated being interrupted when she was sleeping, but knew in her cloudy brain that someone would not be calling this late unless it was important. It was motivation enough to yank her out of the pull of the sleep abyss, not necessarily the irritating ring-ring of the cell.
She slid the screen to answer, and put it on her chest so she could keep the pillow over her head. There was no need to place it against her ear, she’d hear it. No need to use speaker phone anymore with her vampire hearing, so she sighed heavily and snarled, “Yes, what is it?”
“Did I wake you, darling?” Viktor’s familiar voice oozed sexiness from the phone’s speaker. She tossed the pillow aside, and put the phone to her ear. She conceded she liked it when he called a little more than she wanted to admit, which was particularly upsetting with her contradictory feelings for Lucky.
“As a matter of fact, you did. But you know you did.” She admonished him playfully. One thing she really liked was how easy he was to flirt with. Lucky wanted seriousness, and Viktor wanted to play. Savannah was torn between both of them, but Viktor was her fiancé, which meant she had a right to explore the possibility of this relationship. Or maybe she didn’t have that right after the promise she made to Lucky. What was she thinking? Seriously, it was stupid to do. She knew better, and was still beating herself up over the whole thing.
“Yes, but I enjoy your sleepy purr.” Viktor’s voice took on a husky, playful tone.
A blush crept up Savannah’s neck and cheeks at the innuendo in his words. “Then you should be here to experience it more often instead of in Italy.” She tried to push through the games, and get him to be more serious – even though she wasn’t sure that was what she wanted.
“It’s important you use this time to find yourself, Savannah.” His voice softened. “My being there will only confuse the already murky waters.”
“Muddy waters.”
“Hmm, you never tire of correcting me do you, my little minx?”
Savannah smiled at that. No, she didn’t. She rather enjoyed being the only person who could correct the prince.
“Most importantly, you need to figure out your feelings for the Nephilim, and then your feelings for me. I know this wedding was tossed on you like everything else in your new world, and I want you to take the time to figure out what you want.”
“It shouldn’t matter. You already said you don’t mind an open marriage,” Savannah was quick to point out. It was hard to admit, but she didn’t like that he was so easy about the idea. She didn’t know the rules. Even now, she wondered if she should tell him about the kiss and promise made to Lucky.
“And you changed all that the day you stood in the rain, and told me you wanted it all. I’m willing to give that to you, if the “all” you’re referring to is with me.”
“You’re serious?” Savannah felt her body go into shock. That changed everything. Crap! She bit her lower lip. Now she had to tell him. God, she was making a mess of things.
“Only if you are, my darling. Time away from you has made me miss you. Something I’m not used to or necessarily comfortable with. I’d like to explore that with you, but only if you’re interested.”
Savannah couldn’t believe her ears. As if his proclamation didn’t add more unneeded drama in her life. “You are serious.” It was like he had radar, and every time she got closer to Lucky he pulled her back toward him. It was like the guys were in a tug of war, and she was the damn rope. In this case, one was going to get hurt, and she wasn’t enjoying the back and forth anymore.
“I kissed Lucky,” she blurted out.
There was an uncomfortable silence on the phone. Each second it stretched out she felt a tug on her heart.
“And?”
“And…,” she stretched out the word. “I think I want to explore those feelings. I need to know if they’re real or just a response to your open marriage invitation.” She spoke so fast she wasn’t sure what words she said out loud, and what she kept to herself.
“I don’t like where this conversation is going. I know I left this option up to you, but now I am regretting my offer.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. He went to Italy, put an ocean between them, and told her this was what he wanted, and now he didn’t. She was wrong. She wasn’t a rope, she was a damn yo-yo. “Viktor…”
“You’re right, my love. You were given permission to figure out your feelings. I hope you will do so quickly.”
“Now I am more confused than before. Viktor, I don’t know what to do. I thought you were--”
“I know what you thought, and that was my mistake. I will have to live with your decision.”
“And if I decide I want to be with Lucky?” She could feel how her words were cutting him, but she needed to have a better understanding of the rules. Setting expectations was an important foundation to building solid relationships. She had read enough self-help books to know that.
“Then we will settle for a marriage of convenience, one that brings two strong vampire houses together,” he answered, “but make no mistake, Savannah, if you want it all, I am all in.” He hung up the phone abruptly before she could say another word.
She sat there staring up at the ceiling. Remarkably, she felt better about the kiss and promise made to Lucky, but Viktor made it clear she wasn’t out of her commitment to marrying him, which meant she was back to square one with Lucky. This was no good. She didn’t even know if what she felt for the blond, angel half-breed was real. Both men made her feel things. Their marriage would bring two strong houses together, but did she really care about vampire politics?
Then there was Lucky. Did she really care about him or was i
t more about being sinister payback for Rebecca and Gabe, or worse, payback for how their actions played a role in her rebirth? It was Lucky’s ex-fiancé, Felicity, that helped make her a vampire; Felicity, and Rebecca’s refusal at peace. Deep down, she knew Celestia made the decision long before any of this happened to make her a vampire, but still. The angry thoughts played in her head, still wreaked havoc in her mind.
“What do you think?” Savannah reached under the bed, and pulled out the wooden box that held the moral compass her grandmother Catherine gave her.
She opened the lid, and the compass spun pointing directly at her heart.
‘It doesn’t matter what I think. It matters what you truly believe.’
“Fat lot of good that does,” Savannah snapped, and slapped the lid down.
‘Who do you see a better future with?’ The compass’s voice entered her mind in a muffled response.
“I don’t know either one well enough to make that judgement.”
‘Then there is your answer’
Savannah rolled her eyes. She needed better advice than that. She grabbed her phone, and dialed the one person she knew could help her sort things out.
Rebecca answered in a sleepy voice.
“Did I wake you?”
“No. Well, yes, but what’s wrong?”
“I need some sisterly advice.”
“Can this wait until the morning?”
Perhaps, yes, but she was impatient since she became a vampire, and it was fresh on her mind. “No.”
Rebecca sighed, and Savvy could tell she was getting out of bed. “What’s wrong, sis?”
“Nothing life threatening or anything. It’s just that I am torn, and I need the relationship we had before all this mess started.”
“I’m always here for you, Savvy.”
“I’m just so tied up in knots right now.”
“With Lucky?”
“Yes, and now Viktor says he’s willing to go all in. Truth be told, I don’t know what to do.”
Fire Master Rising (Winters Saga Book 3) Page 10