by Rye Brewer
“He’s just that twisted,” she agreed, her pretty face screwing up in a grimace.
“Exactly. I can’t put anything past him.”
“If he kidnapped her, what do you intend to do?”
I already knew what I wanted to do, but I knew she wouldn’t want to hear it. “I’ll forgo the meeting.”
“Like hell, you will!” She stood, hands on hips. “I’ll take you there myself, trussed up like a pig if I have to.”
“Philippa…”
“No! I can’t let you do this. I’m on your side—I’m always on your side—but you’ve lost your mind. That’s the only explanation!”
“All right, all right. Lower your voice.” I didn’t want Sara to overhear what we talked about. She was already upset enough that Anissa had vanished.
“Jonah, this isn’t just about you. It’s about all of us, the entire clan, our past and future.” She shook with rage, visibly trembling from head to toe. “Sometimes, I wish Gage was in charge after all!”
She might as well have slapped me. I reeled back as though she had.
Her eyes flew open wide. “Jonah, I’m sorry.”
I shook my head. “Leave me alone,” I muttered. “It’s better if you leave me alone, right now.”
She didn’t argue. Once she was out of the room and I was on my own, I sank into the desk chair and buried my head in my hands. I knew she didn’t mean to say it, but it was what she thought. She thought it would have been better if Gage was in charge. I’d gone too far off the rails, to use a human turn of phrase. I’d lost sight of what really mattered.
But what difference did it make when she mattered, too? I couldn’t have them both, it seemed—Anissa and my clan. And I couldn’t choose. It was too much to ask.
I couldn’t shake the feeling Marcus had taken her. He had something to do with it; I knew it. He was just the sort who couldn’t let it go that I’d taken her and Sara away.
I had no choice. It meant going to the Carver mansion to find out where she was.
It was like déjà vu, standing at the entrance to the secret tunnel. Except I’d been alone then, without Anissa. If things went well, I’d be with her again by the time I left.
The thought she could be in pain, suffering, was like a knife to my chest. I needed to get her out of there quickly, with as little interference or chance of discovery as possible. That was why I’d come alone—dangerous as it was, I couldn’t risk anyone else in my clan.
Philippa was right about that much. I wouldn’t ask them to do what I wasn’t willing to do on my own. And, unlike Malory, I knew what I was getting into with Marcus. He couldn’t hurt me with magic, and I could overpower him physically without trying too hard.
I would have gone straight to the dungeons to free Anissa, but that wouldn’t have solved the issue with Marcus. I wanted him to know what I was willing to do to keep her out of danger. If it meant my absence from the meeting, so be it. But I wanted his word. I needed an agreement he’d let her go for good once I stepped out of his way.
27
Jonah
The Carver mansion was a maze, full of twisting corridors and endlessly long hallways. I knew Marcus was in the east wing, at the opposite end of the building. At least the halls were empty. I could hear them murmuring behind the walls and doors as I raced past. I could only hope they were busy enough with their own affairs that they wouldn’t detect my presence.
Marcus would know I was there, of course. I knew he would. He’d be waiting for me. He hadn’t sent anybody to catch me, so I assumed he wanted to talk. I knew just what I’d say when I saw him.
When I reached the far wing, I climbed what felt like a million stairs to reach the top floor. Of course, he’d set himself up at the top of the building—though I’d done the same, of course, in mine.
As I opened the tall, heavy door, I thought about how easy it had been to get here. He’d made it too easy. He was waiting, for sure. I steeled myself for whatever was coming, warning myself to be on my guard for what he had in store. His twisted mind had probably concocted a punishment he thought suitable for what I had done, for the way I’d ruined his plans.
The room was dim, but my vampire eyes didn’t need much light to see clearly. There were only a few candles scattered around the large, ornate chair on which Marcus sat. More like a throne, on second thought, perched at the top of a wide set of stairs. He thought he was a king of sorts.
“Come in,” he practically purred. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“It’s obvious,” I said. “I wondered why it was so easy.”
“I didn’t want anything—or anyone—to get in your way. I know you’re determined to see me. Who am I to stop you?” His sneer nearly burned into me. I wanted to knock the golden head from his shoulders. The lazy, insolent way he sat on that throne of his made me want to scream. It was all a funny game to him. He was sure he’d win.
“Where is she?”
“Where is who?”
“You know who,” I spat, walking slowly toward him.
The scent of blood was thick in the air.
“Oh, you mean Anissa?” He shrugged, lifting a crystal goblet from a small table beside him. There was a deep-red liquid in it. So, he dined out of crystal. He really was full of himself. “You took her from me, remember? I should be asking you where she is, not the other way around.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“That’s up to you. It means little to me who you believe or why.” He took a long drink, closing his eyes as he did in almost perverse delight.
Was it her blood? The thought turned my stomach.
“Where is she? Tell me, and I’ll give you what you want.”
He peered down at me from over the top of the gold-rimmed crystal. “And what do I want?”
“We both know. You want power. I can give you that power, but only if I get her back. I want her safe before we move forward.”
He sneered again, his favorite facial expression. “I love the way you think you’re in charge. I think you forget we’re not at the Bourke high-rise at the moment. We’re in my clan’s home. My word is what commands loyalty here, not yours.”
“Hand her over. I’m willing to make a deal.” I was. I’d trade for her wellbeing. I’d trade almost anything. Maybe even everything.
I became aware of the presence of others in the room, in the shadows. His guards, I was sure. I had expected that.
Great. Just great.
“You assume I have her,” he whispered. “Which I don’t. I’m sorry to see you come all this way for nothing—however, you’ve made life much easier for me.” He raised one hand no more than a few inches, and everything happened at once. I was surrounded by six, seven guards. “I’ll have the power I wanted after all, because you’ll be here, in the dungeon, as my guest. Thank you for doing exactly what I’d hoped you would. Thank you for being so predictable.”
“You don’t have her? Tell me the truth, Marcus.” I struggled against the hands gripping my forearms, shoulders.
He seemed to think it over then shook his head. “No, I don’t have her. The dungeon isn’t empty, but I’m sorry to say, it isn’t her presence inside. I hope it will be, and soon.” He nodded, signaling the guards to drag me away.
I didn’t yell, I didn’t kick. It was useless—and I wanted to keep my dignity. What was left of it, anyway. But I’d have retribution. I’d be loose and my clan would have retribution.
It was a long journey to the dungeon from Marcus’s chambers, and all I could do along the way was think. I’d walked into his trap. He’d known I would come. But why? For her? That would mean he knew she was missing. But if he didn’t have her, how would he know?
Who is in the dungeon?
I found out immediately; the door opened and I saw who had taken Sara’s place inside the cage. I would have known his auburn hair anywhere.
“Gage!” I lunged for him, but the hands of the guards held me back.
“You’ll join h
im soon enough,” one of them growled as they dragged me to the cage. Gage didn’t move, didn’t flinch at the sound of my voice. I wondered if he was already dead. When I saw the blisters on his wrists, the blood on his face and head, I almost wished he were.
Then he stirred just enough for me to know he was still with me. But I didn’t know how much longer that would be the case.
28
Anissa
I couldn’t stay with the fae anymore, not when I knew Gage needed me. Once my strength was back, and it took around a day for it to come back fully, there was no reason for me to be here anymore.
No reason except one.
My father.
I believed him when he said he’d wanted to be with me. I even believed he’d followed me to be sure I was safe now and again throughout my life. I hated to remove myself from his life so suddenly. Then again, he had simply assumed I’d be part of his life from then on. That wasn’t my fault. And it wasn’t my fault I couldn’t forget the rest of my life just because I knew about him. I hadn’t signed any pact. I hadn’t promised to stay away from everyone who meant anything to me.
I waited for the right time to escape. The fae did sleep, unlike vampires. Interesting that my vampire blood overrode the need to sleep. I was learning more about myself all the time—maybe one day, I’d have the chance to sit down and work it all out in my head.
By midnight, the settlement had quieted. Crystal orbs still glowed in the night sky, and the light of stars hung around me as I stood on the balcony just off my chambers. It was a beautiful night, the sort of night I never got to see in New York.
Then again, the fae settlement didn’t have the skyscrapers and blinking signs I so loved in Manhattan. There wasn’t the same feeling of excitement, vitality. The two sides of my personality, the one that craved life and the one that craved nature. Would they ever work together?
One more glance around before I left. I’d learned enough about the portal through which the fae had transported me to know it sat just outside the entrance to the largest tree, the one in which Gregor and his advisors lived. The one I was in at the moment.
I’d already practiced my escape earlier, all under the guise of exploration. It wasn’t far to the stairs which led to the entrance. Once I reached them, I headed straight down as fast as I could. I wouldn’t waste time second-guessing, for sure.
There it was. I could just make out the silvery circle of light maybe twenty or thirty feet from where I stood in the doorway. It was scary for a moment, the thought of going through without knowing exactly what would greet me on the other side. What if Marcus was waiting for me? Or Malory—because good as dead wasn’t the same as dead. Or anybody else who knew I was hiding, anybody who wanted my blood.
It was just a chance I would have to take. I couldn’t afford to wait another minute, especially when I might be missed up above. I listened hard to make sure there wasn’t anybody following me. Only the sound of silence greeted me. They were asleep.
I stepped out, closer to the portal, and cast one more look up to where I knew Gregor’s chambers sat. The lights were out. It was for the best I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye—he might never let me leave.
This is it. Now or never. I had to take the chance. So, I drew a deep breath, closed my eyes and launched myself headfirst into the silvery circle of light.
I felt a sort of pulling sensation, like something was sucking me through to the other side. Everything spun around me, but just for a moment.
I opened my eyes when my feet touched solid ground. I’d made it through—I could even tell from the different smell of the air. The air in the fae’s shadow world was sweeter, fresher. And I’d thought I’d smelled fresh air before. I had no idea how much fresher and more beautiful the world could be. I wondered if everything was like that in the days Gregor had described to me, the days before humans came along and destroyed the world in which magical creatures had lived for eons.
There was the League of Vampires cathedral, just beyond a small grove of trees. It was lit inside, and I could hear the activity in there. The meeting of the league was due to take place in just a few days. Jonah would be there. I couldn’t wait for him, of course. I needed to get back to him and let him know I was all right. He must have looked for me since my disappearance. And he needed to know about his brother. I should have done this earlier.
My strength was back, so I prepared myself to course to Jonah’s penthouse. I had to leave quickly before anybody noticed me.
Then I was off, following the same path I took on my way to the cathedral. It was night, just as before, and the animals sensed me again. I hoped nothing else did—knowing about my mixed blood and the strength of it made me paranoid. I would always wonder if something or someone was after me for it. Just another of life’s cruelties, I guessed.
I would never be the same as others, when it was all I wanted to be. I just wanted to be normal, a vampire like the ones I’d grown up with. I didn’t want to be special. I didn’t want anybody to expect anything from me just because I’d been born a certain way. It all seemed so unfair, and there was nothing I could do about it.
I thought about this and so much more as I coursed back to Manhattan. Jonah. What must Jonah think? What about Sara? I hoped she was strong enough to handle my absence. I hoped she’d stayed with the Bourkes like I’d asked her to. I hoped neither of them would be too angry with me when I got back. It wasn’t my fault, any of it. I’d wanted to help Gage.
If only it wasn’t too late to do it.
I slowed when I reached the George Washington Bridge then sped the rest of the way to the penthouse. Slower than coursing but still faster than humans traveled, it helped me get where I needed to be in a hurry without attracting much attention. I could slide in and out of shadows, dart between cars and groups of people without notice.
When I got to the high rise and stepped into the lobby, the guard’s jaw dropped. “It’s you!”
“Yes, it’s me.”
“There’s been a lot of trouble around here because of you.” He wasn’t joking, either. His expression was stern.
It seemed for a moment that he was going to step in my way, maybe block my entrance, but something flickered in his eyes and he backed off.
It’s a good thing, too, because I was at the ready. I’d have grabbed my weapon and made short work of him if he blocked me from seeing Jonah and my sister.
I hurried past him, jamming my finger against the button to the penthouse. The elevator doors opened immediately and I jumped inside, needing to be away from the cold glare of the guard. So, something had happened while I was gone. I shuddered to think.
When the elevator doors opened again once I reached the top floor, it surprised me to find the doors to the penthouse open. I heard noise coming from inside—angry voices, mostly, tinged with fear. I stepped inside, glancing around, hoping I hadn’t just walked into something even worse than what I’d left.
Philippa and Scott stood in front of the hearth, arguing. They were the only two there. I wondered where Sara was—had she run off, even though I’d told her not to? And what about Jonah? I couldn’t stay quiet any longer, not knowing what was happening. I knocked on the open door.
They turned to me, and, in a flash, Philippa’s hands were on my shoulders. She slammed me against the wall. I was too surprised to fight back for a second then I regained control.
I swooped low, beneath her, grabbed her from behind and shoved her face first into the same wall. I ground her body against it, my fangs eager to burst through for the kill.
My vampire nature was a beast of its own. Controlling the bloodlust and killing urge was no easy task. I clenched my jaw and fought the need to kill her.
“What is this?” I asked, glancing at Scott over my shoulder.
His eyes were just as full of fury as his sister’s.
“You tell us,” Philippa snarled, kicking her head backward, flinging herself loose from my grasp, then grabbing me by the co
llar and bringing her face close to mine. “Where is he? He went searching for you, and now he’s gone. Where is he?”
“What? I don’t understand. I haven’t seen Jonah if that’s what you mean.” I trembled with anger. Was he missing because of me? Maybe I shouldn’t have returned at all, not when my life was in danger as a result. My eyes went from Philippa to Scott then back again. “What’s going on?”
“Where were you?” Scott asked. He was barely managing to keep control of his anger, I could tell.
“It’s a long story,” I said. “I don’t know that we have time for it if Jonah is gone.”
“Yes, Jonah is gone,” Philippa snarled, pushing me harder into the wall. I could almost feel the plaster crumbling behind my shoulders. I wondered if she would push me right through.
“Since when? For how long?” Panic raced through me. “And where’s my sister? Is she missing, too?”
“I’m right here.” Sara’s voice was strong, strident. She sounded more like the girl I used to know before Marcus took her prisoner. “And you’d better let go of my sister, Philippa, if you know what’s good for you. I’ve been listening to you and Scott argue all day, and it’s no use. Anissa obviously has nothing to do with his disappearance.”
Sara’s brown eyes glowed crimson. She emanated a power I’d never seen from her before. What had happened to my baby sister?
“Like hell, she hasn’t,” Philippa spat.
“Philippa. Let her go.” Scott took her wrist in one hand, pulling gently. “She wouldn’t do anything to hurt him.”
Philippa roared, slamming me once more into the wall before walking away. Scott followed her without glancing back at me. Sara, meanwhile, threw her arms around me.
“Where were you?” she breathed, squeezing me until I thought she’d crush my ribs. “I was worried to death, Anissa. You can’t run off on your own like that.”