He nodded, then shook his head. “Not tonight. Can’t tonight.”
Preston sighed, frowning. “Need a place to crash?”
Robert tipped his head to the side. “No, thanks. I’ll use my office. Don’t need to hear you and Dacia.”
Preston grinned. “Smart man. Though honestly, you should go home. Talk to him. Doesn’t matter if it’s in the middle of the night.”
“I’d rather confront him without Liz present. And if I go home now…” Robert’s gaze wandered, and he pressed his temples. “I don’t know, Preston. This situation goes deeper and darker than anything I could ever imagine about Tremaine.”
“He’s one of the best enforcers the Council has ever had. You know, as well as I do, the shit sometimes gets deep. You can’t get out without doing a few things you hate, in order to get to the bottom of a case. He taught us that.”
Robert nodded. Still, Tremaine was so entangled in the mess Robert didn’t have a clue how to make sense of the facts before him. If they were facts. What did he know about Tremaine?
Preston groaned. “He was your father’s closest friend. Draecyn’s go-to man, until he quit after the Dales because he couldn’t do it anymore.”
“Damn it, Preston. I have to talk to him. Alone. Without Liz. I need to hear his explanations for myself.”
“Okay. Liz is going to worry, though. At least call and tell them you’re working late.”
“Yeah, I’ll do that.”
“Do yourself a favor and hear him out.”
Chapter 2
Worry set in. Robert never came home. He left some lame ass message about working all night. After a week of distancing himself from them both, his absence didn’t sit right with Liz.
“Hey, what’s wrong, Doll?” Tremaine asked in a gentle voice.
She turned toward him with a frown. “Robert. Last few days he’s distant. I’m wondering if he finally realized what a pain in the ass I am and wants to give up.”
“I guarantee it’s not you, whatever it is.” Dark concern passed over his features, the emotion resembled fear. “I need to go to him today. I’ll be at the bookstore later. I’ll bring you answers.”
Nodding, she gave him her best half-hearted smile. “Okay.”
“Hey, I promise it’s not you. This case—it goes a lot deeper than any he’s ever worked on.”
“Really?” Her brow arched. She could recall plenty of cases that went a lot further than they appeared. And after the shit Tremaine had told her about the case involving the Dales, she didn’t know what could top it.
He moved closer and wound his arms around her waist, focusing deep into her eyes. “Don’t worry. I’ll find out what’s going on, and I’ll tell you all of it. Maybe I can shed some light on HARP while I’m at it.”
She pulled back, shaking her head. “Oh no, don’t do that. You tell me what the fuck is going on if you have any clue.”
Tremaine sighed and leaned against the counter. “Forever ago, I went undercover to take out HARP. I gave Robert all of the files. Some of them were written by other people while I was expelled from the Silver Council. Draecyn kicked me out and sent the corrupt members of the council after me. There’s incriminating shit in there, but I never imagined Robert would think I was stupid enough to hand over everything if I were really in league with HARP.”
“Sure you don’t want me to go with you?”
He nodded. “I think it’s better if I go to him by myself for now. If I sit down and explain everything and why it happened the way it did, I might be able to get through to him.”
“Don’t leave me out of this. You know I can make him see reason. How many times did I have to talk him into my ideas over the years?”
Placing both hands on her waist, he looked straight at her. “Liz, go to the bookstore, please. I’ll have answers for you soon. I’ll also smack him upside the head if he decides to be an ass and stay away because of me.”
“Yeah, well I’ll beat his ass if he pulls that shit.” She stood on tiptoes to kiss Tremaine before pushing him toward the door. “Go. Get this out of your system.”
Reluctantly releasing her, he promised, “Tonight, we’ll wipe out all the doubt brewing in your head. If he doesn’t tell you everything, I will.”
She smiled back, and he finally slipped through the door. Seconds later, she heard the SUV start up, and the garage door gears whirred.
Perfect timing too, because she ran to the bathroom and barfed up breakfast. Fear-laced excitement trilled through her. It had only been a few weeks since Emily had mended her insides. She hadn’t thought it would work so fast.
Liz needed moral support. The first person who came to mind was Emily. She shoved both feet into boots and ran across the street to see if her friend was home. Hopefully, it was early enough she hadn’t left for work.
She knocked and heard a giggle, then a swat. A few seconds later, the door swung open. Emily grinned. “Hey, Liz. What’s up?”
“Can I borrow you for a bit?”
Clint popped his head around the door jamb. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Liz forced a smile.
His brow arched but he didn’t comment.
“All right. Where are we going?” Emily asked
“A ride?” It came across more like a question.
“Okay.” She disappeared for a moment.
“Liz,” Clint said softly, “should I be worried about what’s going on?”
Seeing Clint’s protective side with Emily was sweet. She smiled. “Nope. It’s personal—girl stuff. Nothing dangerous. Promise.”
“Then have fun, or whatever.” His face scrunched when Emily returned.
Emily grabbed his face and kissed him until he broke away, panting with a silly grin.
Liz had to grin at the new, confident Emily.
“Later, Clint,” Emily purred.
“Mmm, see you tonight, Sunshine.”
She slipped through the door and closed it, turning to Liz. “I’m ready.”
Emily didn’t say another word until they were in the car and Liz turned to head out of Edenton.
Emily’s brow arched. “So, where are we going?”
“Store. I need to buy a test.”
Emily spun in her seat to face her. “Really?”
“Don’t know yet, obviously. I’ve been sick, though, and unless I’m hungover, which I’m not, I don’t get sick. I haven’t had alcohol since you fixed me. And the last time I was sick when not drinking was while I was pregnant.”
Emily squeezed her hand. “I’m with you every step of the way. One thing. Why don’t you want to tell Robert and Tremaine?”
Liz sighed. “Don’t want to get their hopes up if I’m not.”
“And if you are?”
A groan escaped as she glanced over. “Then Robert needs to pull his head out of his ass. He’s been distant the last few days. Tremaine claims it has something to do with a case. I don’t know. I need us to be a cohesive unit before I tell either of them anything.”
“Okay, I understand. As long as you don’t keep it a secret forever.”
“Like I could. Besides, I only made it a few days before telling them you fixed me.”
“True,” Emily grinned. “I bet you are pregnant. I’m so excited.”
“Me too.” Liz smiled but then frowned. “I just hope Robert hasn’t given up on us.”
“He won’t. You know how he is. He wants to follow all the rules until he realizes you have to bend the rules to get results.”
“I hope you’re right.”
* * * *
85 years ago…
Tremaine walked into Draecyn’s office and shook the file at his mentor and confidant. “What the fuck am I supposed to do with this? My case has deathwish written all over it!”
Draecyn’s eyes danced with light. “For anyone else, yes, you would be correct. However, your background provides you the perfect opportunity. I have suspicions about who currently runs the dastardly conglome
rate of hybrids, but without proof, there is little I can say or do. You are the only person I trust to maneuver your way up the ranks.”
“You want me to go against everything I believe in for a case?”
Draecyn stood and walked around the desk to look Tremaine square in the eye. “Not exactly. I need you to play a role. One only you can manage because you have the mixed blood to pull off the impossible.”
“They’ll expect me to complete their own missions. They’ll want me to tear apart the Silver Council.”
His brow arched. “Tremaine, parts of the Council need to change. That will only happen once certain truths have been ripped to shreds. Radical action is needed to bring the original purpose of the Silver Council back to the forefront.”
In theory, it was something Tremaine honestly agreed with, but the case sat uneasily on his heart. “And how the hell are they supposed to take me in?”
“Easy. Storm out of here, ranting. Go somewhere rural enough our own people wouldn’t try to find you. They’ll sweep in and collect you.”
Tremaine threw his hands up. “How can you be so confident they’ll take your prized enforcer—your lieutenant?”
“They know what you are, what you’re capable of doing. They’ll take the opportunity to recruit an asset they couldn’t hope to gain in any other way.”
“Who are they? Who do you think runs HARP?”
“That I can’t tell you. Not now. You need to come into the knowledge on your own. Once you start to understand the inner workings of HARP, you’ll understand why you’re the only one with any chance to destroy the corrosive organization. They claim they want humans and others to coexist, but I can tell you that’s not the truth. HARP wants to rule the world.”
Tremaine crossed the room to the window to stare out below. “Every other mage has been killed.”
“You won’t be. They need you.”
“I’ll have to comply. Possibly kill our own enforcers and other operatives. Is that what you want?”
“No, and I understand the ramifications.” Draecyn shifted his position in front of Tremaine and captured his attention. “I’ll ensure the only enforcers I send to investigate HARP are the corrupt ones we haven’t managed to dislodge, regardless of the proof.”
He rubbed at his face. “Why me?”
“You are the only one I trust. The two other hybrids I know of in the Enforcer program are both willing to jump ship if they get a better offer. I’ve seen you go undercover and know you always manage to finish the job. This will be no different.”
“It will take years for me to climb as high as you want. I’ll have to fully immerse myself in their organization to find their leaders, uncover the truths we seek. What if they warp me into someone else? What if they drag me into the darkness with them? What if I’m not strong enough to do what you expect of me?”
“You will and in much less time than you imagine. I have faith.”
“I hope you’re right.” Tremaine stormed through the door and out of headquarters, running faster than he’d ever run, into the woods, until he was far enough where he could shift and fly away. Draecyn believed HARP had been watching Tremaine since his days in the academy. It stood to reason they would see the shift as proof he was what they believed.
I hope this doesn’t backfire in my face, Tremaine thought to himself.
* * * *
Robert sat at his desk, gathering all the evidence against Tremaine. Nausea churned in his stomach. He wanted to believe, but the proof…
He rubbed his forehead and leaned back in the black leather executive chair. His heart and mind disagreed. He loved Tremaine more than he would ever have believed possible, yet the files painted a very different portrait than the man he knew.
His thoughts kept circling back to one important factor. His own father had been Tremaine’s closest friend his entire life. He would have known if Tremaine had truly switched sides. Wilhelm would never have allowed him back into their lives if he posed any kind of danger.
Plus, Draecyn knew about HARP. He was the one who’d sent Tremaine to their side, putting him where he could easily be swayed to join. The Magister not only returned Tremaine to the Silver Council but elevated him back to the lieutenant position, something he wouldn’t do if there were any question about Tremaine’s loyalty.
Preston was right. All the enforcers sent after Tremaine had previous complaints lodged against them. Ample proof existed to take them off rotation, but Maynard Fanning had pulled strings to make sure they stayed in their positions. In a way, Draecyn was cleaning house the only way he could.
Tremaine had nearly destroyed HARP. He’d read the report. At the time Tremaine left the organization, he believed he’d killed Jules in a way that hardly made sense to Robert. It involved magic unique to mage/druid hybrids. Anthony had disappeared with the remaining forces for years. When HARP finally did reemerge, they had been torn down considerably.
Robert reached for his phone, ready to call Tremaine and ask for answers he probably didn’t deserve. Now realizing his mistake, he wanted to ask forgiveness. Then he’d need to ask for help with the case because Tremaine was the only one who understood the inner workings of HARP.
Tremaine burst through the door, slamming it shut. He fused the knob and trapped the sound with the same spell. When he turned toward Robert, the rage on his face sent a thrill of fear down Robert’s spine.
“You happy with yourself?”
Robert stood, meeting his glare. “What on earth are you talking about?”
He growled. “You scared the fuck out of Liz by not coming home and sending that cowardly text. Why? Because you’re pissed about my past? I gave you those files thinking you could see the bigger fucking picture. Now you want to accuse me of what? Treason against the Council? Draecyn’s the bastard who sent me on the goddamned case to begin with.”
Robert drew in a slow breath, trying to gather his words. He’d never seen Tremaine this angry before. Generally, he was levelheaded through the worst of times.
“Nothing?” Tremaine spat. When Robert didn’t answer, he snarled, “Really think I could do all that?”
Robert stepped around the desk, anger flickering to life. “You tell me, Tremaine. What am I supposed to think? You handed me stacks of files without warning me what was in there. Of course, I’m going to question every single thing.”
Tremaine shook his head in slow motion, his brown eyes fading to gold, flashing with light. “You question what side I was on, then fucking question me like a man. Don’t hide away from Liz. You didn’t see the look on her face when she asked me if you got tired of her and wanted to give up.”
“I’ll never give up on her.” An array of emotions splintered through Robert as he took a step closer, narrowing his eyes. “Yes, I made one bad decision. I gave her what I thought she wanted nearly twenty-two years ago. Never again.”
“Then why didn’t you come home?” Tremaine demanded.
He growled in frustration. “I was so twisted up trying to make sense of everything I read and couldn’t come home to see you wrapped around her, which I knew you had to be.”
“Do you think I wanted to go so deep into HARP? Think I wanted to do all that shit? Tell me something, Robert, why do you think Draecyn sent me? No one else could get into HARP’s ranks. Draecyn knew I was the only one with any kind of chance of getting intel because he was the only one who knew who my real father was.”
Robert’s heart sank. And they were right back to what he had finally realized a second before Tremaine barged in. “Because you’re half druid?”
Tremaine’s hands trembled a moment before they fisted. He stepped closer until he was an inch from Robert’s face. “Exactly. I didn’t choose the assignment. It was chosen for me. And yeah, they expelled me… technically, but I kept Draecyn in the loop. Did you skip his files?”
“You could have warned me what was really in there.”
“So you could question if I was just saying that to keep you
in our bed? No. Thank. You. I gave you every last shred of the files so you could see what happened and draw your own conclusions. Apparently, that was the wrong fucking move.”
Robert’s jaw clenched. “Last night, after reading the final files, my head was swimming with a million details I didn’t understand. This morning they clicked into place, forming the bigger picture. I needed time to process.”
“Next time, man up and call me. Tell me to fucking leave so you can go to Liz and not break her to pieces when she starts wondering if you really love her.”
“Of course, I love her. I’ve always loved her. I didn’t want to fight in front of her when I was so lost in the details I couldn’t see the truth. Now back off.”
Tremaine inched closer, his eyes lasered on Robert’s. “You want to lose Liz?”
Robert shook his head.
“Me? I’d understand that. Is it too much now? If so, it’s too damned late to get rid of me. I’ve always loved Liz, and I love you, but right now you disgust me. I’ve never done a damned thing to make you doubt me like this.”
Robert attempted to shove him away, but Tremaine didn’t move. Frustrated, he hissed, “Had you waited ten more minutes, I would have been past the doubt. I needed time, Trem.” He reached for his phone to call Liz.
Tremaine caught it and threw it across the room. “Fuck that. Stop and talk to me! Tell me what I have to do to convince you I’m not part of HARP?”
“I know you’re not. There’s still a million questions on the tip of my tongue, but I get it.”
“Promise you won’t do that to Liz again,” Tremaine insisted.
“I swear it, and I’m sorry.” He met Tremaine’s golden stare. “Do you hate me now?”
“You know better. I love you. You’re a piece of my soul. I can’t have you thinking I’m that scum.” He closed the distance, looking into Robert’s eyes with deep intensity.
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