Lupo (The Immortals Book 8)

by La Porta, Monica

  “No. She never walked through that glass door. Then I was detained by the Enforcer and the Controller—”

  “What for?”

  Lupo wasn’t proud of what he had done in his recent past, but opening up to Paride felt good. “I almost killed a vampire.”

  “Why?” Paride frowned, but there wasn’t judgement in his eyes, just curiosity.

  “Because as a Red I was supposed to follow orders, and I was told to kill a vampire—”

  Paride hopped on the shortest truncated column.

  Lupo continued, “But I discovered I didn’t really want to kill that vampire after all, and the archangel swept down to save the day.”

  “Your other father?” Paride brought both feet up and hugged his knees.

  The air had become colder, and the rain fell in a mist that had already soaked Lupo through, but he didn’t care. “We didn’t know each other then. It’s long and complicated.”

  “Okay.” Paride made a gesture with his hand for Lupo to keep talking.

  “While fleeing the attempted murder scene—” Lupo lowered his tone to a baritone to emulate those movie commercial’s voices he liked so much. When he was a kid, watching trailers on TV was the closest he ever got to seeing a movie. One of the first things he did when he escaped from the orphanage was to go to a movie theater. He didn’t have any money, but he sneaked in and watched three quarters of Titanic before he was caught and sent outside. The story was too depressing anyway. “I lost a pin that belonged to Quintilius—”

  “Wait, what?”

  “Quintilius came to the orphanage once and gave me one of his pins. You know those clan’s pins you wear on your jacket.”

  “And you kept that pin with you all that time?”

  “I dreamed of Quintilius being my father when I was a kid, and I kinda idolized the man—”

  “And it turns out he is your father for real.”

  “Life is strange, isn’t it?”

  Paride gave him a perfunctory nod. “And what happened next?”

  “Ludwig got curious and looked for the person who had lost that pin.”

  “And that’s how you met your father.”

  “More or less. Ludwig sent the Enforcer and the Controller after me—”

  “I haven’t dealt with them myself, but I heard from Angel that they are nice people despite their reputation. They’ve done a lot for the Den of Rejects.”

  “I discovered that firsthand when they caught me. I was sure they were going to throw me in jail, but Ravenna gave me shelter and treated me like part of her family. She and Drako even let their kids be around me. It was strange. I wasn’t used to people being that nice to me.”

  “You had a rough youth?”

  “I was alone more than anything else. None of the adults had time for us older kids, because the babies needed all their attention. I learned to rely on myself a lot.”

  “Did you have friends at the orphanage?”

  “Not really. First, kids thought I was a half-breed, so they either made fun of me or beat me. Then when I finally had my first shift, it was evident I was stronger than any other werewolf, so everyone feared me. By the time I turned sixteen, I spent most of the time by myself and became bitter and resentful. I made a reputation for myself of being violent and unpredictable. The adults too weren’t comfortable around me, and the only person I talked to on a regular basis was the psychologist.”

  “Was she helpful?”

  “I don’t know. I never followed her suggestions, because I didn’t care about playing with the other kids. They didn’t like me and I didn’t like them.”

  “It’s not good to be alone though.”

  “I know that now, but then I was just too angry all the time.” Avoiding every social activity the educators provided, he would escape to the library, where he would spend all his free time after school. There wasn’t a single comic book in the narrow and dusty reading room that Lupo didn’t know by heart. He was the last one to enter the communal dining room and the first to leave after eating as fast as he could, without savoring the food. And at bedtime, he would hide under the blanket with a flashlight and read until everyone else was asleep.

  Paride moved on top of the column and lowered his legs. “But you were saying about your father—”

  “Quintilius—” Lupo rearranged his thoughts. “I didn’t meet him right away. As I said, after Ravenna and Peter found me, I was moved to Drako’s house, where Quintilius should’ve come to meet me. I spent a day with Drako’s family, and it was nice. They freaked me out at first—”

  “Why? Are they eccentric people?”

  “No, the contrary. All the gossip about them, it’s just bullshit. Drako and Ravenna are the nicest people ever. But anyway, I was told that the big, scary alpha was about to arrive, and when he didn’t come, I was so mad at him that I ran away. And that is when I finally met Jasmine face-to-face.”

  With a frustrated sigh, Paride mockingly grabbed his hair with both hands and tugged at it. “My head is spinning, I can barely keep up with your story, but go ahead.”

  “I shifted outside of a full moon and discovered I was an alpha—”

  “Didn’t you know you were one?”

  “I had my suspicions, but I’d had no adult werewolf coaching me while I was growing up, so I couldn’t be sure. It’s one of those things you wish would happen, then when it does you’re scared of the consequences.”

  “What consequences? You’re at the top of the food chain.”

  “At the time, I was still a member of the Reds, and there can only be one alpha in a gang, so I wasn’t that happy to find out I would be on Tancredi’s black list soon. But then I had Jasmine to think about and my priorities got all mixed up.”

  “So, Jasmine…”

  “When I left Drako’s house and let my wolf out, he brought me back to Jasmine’s place. I didn’t know it, but my wolf and her panther had already soul-mated, and they were calling to each other. Imagine my surprise when I shifted back and Jasmine appeared out of nowhere and threw me to the ground.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “Because I was stark naked and in the middle of the street.” Lupo laughed at the memory. “She shoved me back into the recess of an alley, where her family couldn’t see me. Then she gave me a chiton to wear and ordered me around. You should’ve seen her, that little thing all dressed in black, only her eyes visible, but enough to let me know exactly what she thought. She took me in her apartments—”

  “Did she remove her chiton?”

  “She was about to, then her mother came and I had to hide in the bathroom.”

  “But what about your scent? Didn’t her mother catch it?”

  “Of course she did, but Jasmine told her she had brought a stinky stray dog back home.”

  “Ouch.” Paride laughed.

  “Yes, ouch is right. I was mortally offended, but she sent me a few nice thoughts and I forgave her.”

  “She sent you her thoughts? Like mind-speak?”

  Lupo nodded. “She could also read my thoughts, but I couldn’t read hers. She explained to me it was one of her Purist powers. Anyway, the mother said something that changed the outcome of that day.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She mentioned Jasmine’s fiancé was coming and that she should be preparing for his visit. Blind rage possessed me. I couldn’t think straight, and when Jasmine told me the marriage was in a week, I went caveman. I took her away from her family, stole a car—”

  “What car?”

  “A beamer.”

  “Nice. For the record, you shouldn’t have stolen a car.”

  Lupo nodded. “I know I did lots of things wrong, but at that particular moment, I couldn’t use my bike, and I was in a hurry. Borrowing a car seemed the right thing to do, but then again, rage and jealousy were driving me.”

  “So, you left Rome.”

  “We did. I drove until we reached Reserve—”

  “I shifted t
here once,” Paride said.

  “I wanted a beautiful place for our first time together, and I couldn’t wait any longer.”

  “Mating hormones are a total bitch.” Paride blushed.

  Lupo still felt the mating pull sometimes. “Plus, her Purist scent was intoxicating.”

  “The rumors are true then.”

  “One hundred percent true. She drove me crazy. Her scent, her eyes, her body covered by that circus tent—” Lupo let out a small chuckle. “The car was too small, and I couldn’t breathe. I had to see her, all of her. I reached Reserve in a state of intoxication. Then she finally got rid of the chiton...” He had to take a moment before continuing his tale. “We were alone in this field, and I couldn’t believe someone so beautiful would actually accept me as a mate.” Lupo blinked and he was back in time, looking down at Jasmine trembling under his body. “It wasn’t my first time, and I kind of boasted about my sexual experience with her, but she humbled me. She was perfection, and I wasn’t worthy of her. A gang member with no prospect, soon to be on the most wanted list for both the Reds and the enforcers. What kind of life could I offer her?”

  “You were soulmates. That’s usually enough.” Paride gave him a soft smile.

  “That’s what I thought too, because I was selfish and I wasn’t going to release her, but it was a mistake. I should’ve let her go on that date with her fiancé, and I should’ve left Rome and never come back. I would’ve never found love again, but she would be alive.”

  “Don’t say that. You can’t change the past, and she would have wanted you to be happy.”

  “She marked me. When a Purist marks her soulmate, there’s no coming back. The two are linked forever.” Daily, Lupo revisited the accident, and he always came up with the same conclusion. “I would’ve chosen eternal unhappiness to save her.”

  “How did she die?”

  “After we spent two days at Reserve—” Lupo’s voice choked.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

  “No, it’s okay. The only time I’ve talked about the accident was at the trial, but I think I need this.” Lupo took a long breath, steadied his resolve, then nodded. “Yes, it’s something I should’ve done already.”

  The rain was now falling in earnest and both of them flattened against the wall to take shelter, but it was windy and they were still showered by icy water.

  Lupo hugged himself. “It was morning, we were waking up, and I heard a car approaching. The place is remote and it couldn’t be a coincidence that someone was driving in our direction. It was a police car. I grabbed Jasmine and we made a mad dash toward the BMW. Then I drove away from Reserve as fast as I could, hoping to lose them, but they were right behind us. I took a country road that coasted a mountain ridge. There were hairpin curves and a long series of chicanes, overlooking the cliff. The road wasn’t well-maintained and it wasn’t meant to be travelled at a fast speed. I didn’t see an overgrown tree root that had broken the asphalt, and I overcorrected my course. The beamer went flying over the edge, and only stopped several meters down the escarpment. Jasmine wasn’t moving. I exited the car, incapacitated the two policemen, used their phone to call the enforcers, and I promised I would surrender myself if they transported Jasmine to the Tiberina Island Hospital.” Lupo passed his palm over his face. His tears were covered by the rain, but they stung.

  Paride’s eyes too were shiny. “Did she make it to the hospital?”

  “Yes, she did, but died soon after. Her family didn’t let me see her, and I lost it. I was out cold for three days and I woke up at Drako’s again. The same night, there was my trial, and I was sent here right away.” Lupo looked up at the sky, then back at Paride. “This is my story.”

  “She must’ve been special—” Paride whispered.

  “Jasmine was everything to me.” Lupo sighed. “But like I said, I must get used to her being gone.”

  Despite his words, Lupo couldn’t help but summon Jasmine as soon as he was back in his cell. The thought that the practice wasn’t healthy had crossed his mind, but he couldn’t go a day without talking to her. It didn’t matter to him that she was a construct of his mind. He longed for Jasmine, and it wasn’t just physical. To make things worse, he hadn’t confessed his secret to anyone else. He had thought to talk to Quintilius about it, but he couldn’t muster the courage.

  How was your day, my handsome wolf? Jasmine asked. As usual, her voice sounded real to him.

  It was a good one. What about yours? He knew she would answer what he wanted to hear, and yet he didn’t care as long as she was still with him. Even his wolf calmed down when she talked.

  I have a surprise for you, she said.

  I hate surprises. His wolf happily wagged, contradicting Lupo’s statement.

  You’ll love this one. Don’t be mad I didn’t tell you before but—

  Lupo waited a few seconds for Jasmine to finish her thought but she didn’t. Panther?

  After a full minute passed, Lupo scratched his head in confusion. It was strange that their conversation had ended abruptly, as if he wasn’t the one controlling the experience, but even though he tried again, Jasmine didn’t come back.

  After months of imaginary rendezvous, this was the first time something like that had happened, and it filled him with despair.

  Chapter Nine

  Lupo couldn’t resign himself to the idea that his pretend Jasmine wasn’t coming back, but as much as he tried, he couldn’t summon her in his mind anymore.

  “Were you attacked again?” Quintilius asked the moment he saw Lupo entering the visitation room.

  “No, I’m not sleeping well lately.” Lupo passed a hand over his unshaven jaw.

  “You look like a semi used you as a parking spot.” Quintilius was at his side in two steps, studying him closely.

  “I swear I wasn’t beaten this time.” Lupo patted his father’s hand that had reached out for his face.

  After a last thorough glance, Quintilius sighed in defeat and hugged him. “Will you tell me what’s happened to you?”

  “Nothing, really. I’m just tired.” He burrowed into his father’s warm embrace and did his best to divert the conversation to safer topics. “Any news on whatever Rico is using?”

  “We can’t say for sure, but Ludwig thinks it might be a type of drug that combines V with angelic blood.” Quintilius opened his arms to release Lupo, then grabbed a chair and sat next to him.

  “It makes perfect sense.” During his time delivering V for the Reds, Lupo had never heard of it, which it meant it was a brand new product.

  “Ludwig has already started an investigation, but he will have to involve the warden in this because Rico will be interrogated.” Quintilius crossed his legs and relaxed into his chair.

  “If it can’t be avoided—” Lupo shrugged.

  “And besides, the guard and his family have been relocated far away from Rome, so there’s no need to keep quiet for their sake anymore,” Quintilius said.

  “That’s good to know. I’ve wondered about them.” Lupo should have known his father and Ludwig would help these innocents. “What about Paride? What about the investigation Ludwig has ordered?”

  “I know that Peter and Ravenna have gone several times to the Den of Rejects and talked to Angel, but they haven’t found anything yet.”

  “I’m worried about what will happen to him when I’m gone.” Lupo had been thinking more and more about Paride’s precarious fate.

  “Rest assured that everything will be done to exonerate him.”

  “Thank you, Dad.”

  “Don’t thank me. It’s Peter and Ravenna who are working non-stop on his case.” Quintilius gave Lupo a smile.

  The rest of the visit was filled with small talk. Quintilius asked Lupo a few questions about his health, but soon switched to his plans for him when he was a free man once again. More than any material gain he would achieve as Quintilius’s right hand, Lupo treasured the idea of working together, to share part of the da
y with his father.

  That night, he tried in vain to summon his imaginary Jasmine, and lay in bed irritated and lonelier than ever. He had just given up on sleeping and started a series of crunches, when his nostrils picked up Rico’s familiar scent.

  “You got to be kidding,” he murmured under his breath, when muted steps approached the arch. His wolf whined his frustration.

  Rico stood before Lupo’s cell a few heartbeats later.

  “What do you want?” Lupo asked from the floor, where he sat halfway up in mid-crunch, with his feet anchored to the cot’s frame.

  “The archangel came to see me today—” Rico said, his hand reaching out for the gate’s lock.

  “And?” Lupo feigned disinterest, but observed how Rico opened the gate with a key, and once again burned his hand in the process. His wolf bared his fangs, but Lupo kept him in check with a mental pat.

  “And you and your perverted family are a pain in my ass I’d like to eradicate.” Rico’s skin fizzled where his fingers brushed the silver coated bars. He didn’t even try to be careful, and his voice barely shook.

  “Care to share your fix with me?” Lupo pointed his chin at Rico’s hands, and at the same time he inched closer to the bed. Then he reached under to retrieve a small plastic blade he had attached to one of the frame slats.

  If jail had taught him anything it was to be prepared. Especially after Rico’s second visit. Guards were supposed to check all the plastic ware when they came to retrieve the meal trays, but, a few days earlier, Lupo had taken one of the spoons and the guard hadn’t noticed. It had taken him a few days to sharpen the handle of the spoon, but now he had a ready arm. The plastic blade replaced the one that was confiscated from him after Rico had incapacitated him with the curare shot.

  “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Rico laughed.

  The sound of his cackle echoed in the cavernous space of the dungeon, reverberating down to the floor and grating on Lupo’s nerves.

  “So you’d go and spill the beans to the angel first thing tomorrow?” The key clicked inside the lock, and Rico pushed the gate open with a sick smirk. A burnt smell permeated him.