by Rye Brewer
One night, we’d sat up on the roof—simply talking. I’d told him all about missing my parents, and how much it hurt me when I knew about Gage’s resentment of Jonah’s leadership. He had understood. He hadn’t cut me off to talk about himself. He’d listened, really listened, absorbing my words instead of only nodding and waiting for his turn to talk.
And when he had spoken, it was like he understood me. I didn’t have to overexplain. He knew how I felt.
If only he wasn’t such a bonehead about so many other things. Like giving me space when I needed it and not treating me like a possession of his.
When Vance sat down, I asked, “Why are you moving to New York? Aren’t your father’s headquarters in Chicago?” They had been for decades, maybe a century or more. I knew Lucian had started out on the East Coast, like my family, but had moved on at the turn of the twentieth century.
“Yeah, but I have a couple of projects out here that are taking up my time,” he said.
He didn’t elaborate, so I decided to let it go.
“How are things going with your father, by the way?” Yes, I was trying to get information about Lucian. I couldn’t forget what Gage had said.
“All right, I guess.” He shrugged then turned his attention to the blood in his goblet.
“He looked well at the meeting.”
“Yes, he did. He’s been very well lately.”
“I wanted to have the time to say hello to him, but I didn’t, obviously. I hope he understood it was all the confusion going on and not a slight against him.”
“Oh, I’m sure he understood. He’s pretty smart, you know.”
Yes, very smart. Very clever. “As long as he doesn’t think I meant it against him.”
“He doesn’t. I’m sure of it. He was impressed by the way you stood up and took control of the clan,” he offered.
I smiled as I raised the goblet to my lips. Impressed, was he? Yes, and he looked very pleased. He was very quick to approve my leadership, wasn’t he? I couldn’t help but view things through the lens of Gage’s accusations. I wished he had never told me the things he had.
I couldn’t get any more from him, no matter how I tried. He didn’t seem very interested in his father’s work, but that was nothing new. He had never been one to pay attention to the ins and outs of his father’s business, much less his political interests as head of the league. He left that up to his siblings. He had always been content to coast along and enjoy life. I wished for once he would be a little more responsible and aware. He wasn’t any help to me the way he was.
“Have you heard anything about Jonah?” he asked.
I looked down at the silk tablecloth. “No.”
“You don’t know where he is?”
“Why are you so curious all of a sudden?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. It seems like as good a question as any. I mean, you found one brother. I was wondering about the other one, is all.”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” I didn’t feel comfortable telling him anything, even if there had been anything to tell. How far could I trust him? How much did he know about his father? He wouldn’t share it with me, of course, even if he knew his father’s alleged crimes. His allegiance would be to his family.
He didn’t seem to think it was strange I wouldn’t talk about it. Instead, he turned the topic back to us. “Like I tried to tell you after the meeting, I want to see more of you now that I’m moving to the city.”
I shook my head, laughing a little. “I knew you would say that.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Do we really have to go through this again? Why are you being deliberately obtuse?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He frowned, his handsome face contorting a little when he did. He wasn’t used to not getting his way. He expected girls to crumble in front of his charm.
“It means you refuse to acknowledge how much you hurt me. I’m sorry if I’m not jonesing to get hurt again, Vance. Especially when I have so much on my plate at the moment. It’s not fair to do this to me.”
It was so hard to resist him. It would’ve been so easy to give in. My heart wanted me to—half of it, anyway. The other half reminded me, loud and clear, how easily he’d broken it before. I couldn’t trust him, no matter how much I wanted to.
He looked like he was about to shoot back some clever reply, one eyebrow cocked, when a sound interrupted us.
Footsteps on the stairs.
We turned in the direction of the sound, and my eyes went wide when I made out the shape of a beautiful brunette in a slinky evening gown, the red satin cut low in the front to the point where she was barely covered at all. It was tight, flowing over her body like water.
And she didn’t appear happy when she saw me sitting here with Vance.
25
Philippa
You’re late,” she snarled to Vance, her red lips parting to show white fangs.
Oh, she was furious.
Thick, heavy, dark hair swung over one shoulder as she threw her head back and gazed at him with a sneer.
“I’m busy.” His voice was tight, no-nonsense.
I didn’t look at him, so I couldn’t read his expression. I only had eyes for her. Although I knew it shouldn’t, my pulse started racing. I was disappointed another girl had shown up even as Vance had sworn to me it was all in the past. Like I needed proof we were all wrong together.
Good thing I didn’t take my eyes from the other vampire because she didn’t waste time in lunging at me, claws extended.
I leapt out of my chair and caught her before she knocked me down—she might throw me out of the tower if I wasn’t careful. I shoved her back, and she stumbled on her high heels.
“I don’t know why you’re mad at me, but I have to tell you there’s no reason. I don’t want to have anything to do with him.” I glanced at Vance. “And I mean that right now. But I won’t let you attack me without fighting back.”
She glared at me. “Have it your way.” And she rushed me again, ready to fight.
Good. I needed something to vent my anger on, anyway.
Vance stepped in, stopping her. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you acting like this, Adriana? You need to go. Now.”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” she spat. “I can’t believe I ever fell for your lines, you no-good, two-timing…” Then she lunged at him, wrapping her fingers around his throat.
He pushed her away, but she went back for him. They knocked over the table, sending the crystal crashing to the stone floor. I hurried to put out the candles before they set the table on fire.
No sense in sticking around to see how things turned out. I used their distraction as a means to slip away unnoticed, coursing down from the tower and all the way back home to New York City before I could second-guess myself.
There was so much happening in my head and my heart, and even the strain of coursing to Manhattan didn’t help. I could usually lose myself, clear my head. But it wasn’t possible. Not when I felt as badly as I did. Betrayed. Terrified for my brothers—both of them, but especially Gage. Fearful of another war. How could I lead my clan through a war? Would I be a good leader? No, a good leader stopped a war before it ever happened. I couldn’t let Gage take things that far. But what other choice did I have when he was so determined?
And Vance. How could he do that to me? Trying to tell me he wanted to see more of me. Yeah, he wanted to see more of a lot of girls, didn’t he? The creep. I’d been right about him. It wasn’t a good idea to let myself care again. My instincts were always right. I had to learn to value them more, didn’t I?
I didn’t slow down until I reached the high rise, and I went straight up to the penthouse when I got there. The weakness and weariness from coursing and going through so much in such a short time left me desperate for blood.
I wasted no time going straight to our supply—forget using a glass. I tore the spout from the bottom of the bag and held it to my lips, gulping it straight down. S
o what? There was nobody there to see me or stop me.
I was alone, in essence. Even Scott was pretty much lost to me, too worried about Sara to care about me or the clan. The empty penthouse was proof of that. Where was he? Not looking for Gage, I was sure. He wouldn’t endanger Sara. I couldn’t depend on him. I couldn’t depend on anyone. I was alone. The weight of everything hanging over me was nearly enough to crush me. I slumped against the kitchen counter as I drank, desperate for it to give me the strength I needed.
The door opened. Before I could stop myself, in walked Sledge. I didn’t like being caught acting like an animal, sucking blood straight from a bag, and I especially didn’t like that he happened to be the one who caught me. He took in the whole scene—me, the bag, and I saw a knowing look on his face.
“What happened?” he asked.
I finished drinking and tossed the bag aside. “You don’t wanna know.” I couldn’t have described it if I tried. I was too numb and heartsick to go through it all again. “It’s been a long night. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“You look terrible.”
“You’re a very smooth talker when you put your mind to it, you know?”
He smiled a little as he came to me, and I wondered what he wanted. I hadn’t forgotten the way we’d ended things—with him storming off, furious I’d been with Vance although nothing had been going on. What was on his mind?
He reached for me, running his thumb along the corner of my mouth. I saw red on that finger when he pulled it back. Never taking his eyes from mine, he placed the tip of his thumb in his mouth.
“Where did you go?” he asked in an almost mournful voice.
I knew why, too.
He didn’t have to say what he was really wondering—where I had been with Vance.
I slumped even more, leaning against the counter for strength. “I went to see Gage, like I said. Remember? That wasn’t a lie.” Tears prickled behind my eyes, and he went blurry.
He did just what I needed him to do then. He wrapped his arms around me and allowed me to rest my head against his chest.
“And?” he asked.
“And I’m confused.” I sighed.
26
Jonah
Once we were alone, I could tell her about Fane. It was impossible to think of him as some mythical being.
I couldn’t stop thinking of him as Dommik, my father. Head of the Bourke clan. What would she think when she knew he and Fane were one and the same? It was mind-blowing. But would I tell her? Or would it be better to keep that to myself, for her sake?
And I still needed to know how she’d ended up so filthy—was it when she killed the Enforcer? Since when did she kill Enforcers? There had to be a good reason for her to feed from a human. She’d broken the pact. I knew she wouldn’t take something like that lightly. There had to have been an emergency while I was gone. And I had left her to that.
Well, it couldn’t be helped. I was looking for her at the time.
Before any of that could happen, I needed to get us to headquarters. I hoped she knew what she was doing as I led us across the fields, plains and forests we had already crossed while coursing away from headquarters after the meeting.
It seemed like years had passed since then. The moon sank a little lower in the sky every minute, a reminder dawn was coming in a few hours. We had to move swiftly. I didn’t know what she would expect us to do once we got there, and we couldn’t risk sun exposure.
Once I knew we were getting close to the cathedral—I could see it in the distance—I slowed down a bit to conserve as much of our strength as possible. We reached headquarters with plenty of time to spare.
“I guess we just go up to the door and see what happens? Or did you have some other plan in mind?”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t go into specifics back there at the Sanctuary, since I know how many feel about me being half-blood.”
It started coming together then. “You want to go to the fae world? To your father?”
In the light of the moon, her eyes shone. She nodded. “It’s our only chance,” she whispered. “We’ll be safe there.”
I was dubious, to say the least. What would her fae brethren think of me? We didn’t get along famously—putting it mildly. Would she have to go through the same thing on my behalf?
“You don’t think this is a good idea,” she murmured, even as she led me to the spot where I’d taken her away from her father.
I hadn’t taken her away from her father. No, she’d decided against going with him for my sake. It was her choice. Somehow, I didn’t think her father would remember it that way.
“I can’t say it’s my favorite plan ever,” I admitted. “I’m sorry to say it.”
“Well, sometimes we have to do what we don’t feel comfortable with when it means ensuring our safety.” She looked at me from her place a few steps ahead. “You’re not afraid of the fae, are you?”
“Who, me?” Not afraid, per se, but I certainly didn’t trust them. They weren’t exactly adored by other creatures, and it wasn’t by accident they’d chosen their own dimension in which to live. Nobody else would have them, I guessed, no matter how valuable their blood.
We approached the same split-trunk tree by which we’d stood during the league meeting. It was like déjà vu.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“I’m sure they’ll accept you,” she muttered, as though reading my mind.
I didn’t need to explain to her how apprehensive I was. I looked up at the portal, which I could just make out in between the split halves of the tree trunk.
“All right,” I muttered. “Let’s get it over with.”
“You first,” she said, pushing me ahead of her.
“You’re kidding.” But I allowed her to push me.
There it was, shimmering a few inches beyond my reach. I took one more step toward it and stretched out my hand, intending to test it. I expected to glide through it as I had the one Fane threw. I might as well have tried to pass through a pane of glass.
“I don’t understand,” Anissa said as I tried again.
No go.
No part of me would pass through.
“It’s because I’m not one of the fae,” I said. “That’s why you can go through and I can’t.”
“Exactly.” We heard the voice before we saw the figure of a woman passing through from the other side into our world.
No, not a woman. She was one of the fae. Her hair shimmered like silver in the light of the moon and hung down her back in a waterfall. She was almost blindingly beautiful.
“Felicity!” Anissa smiled in relief. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“I’m glad to see you’re unharmed,” Felicity replied in a measured voice, devoid of emotion.
I could tell she was weighing her words carefully. So Gregor was still furious with us. I was sure everyone in the fae world had heard about how Anissa had refused him—he struck me as a proud creature. And I doubted he would be happy to learn we had returned.
Anissa didn’t seem to care. I had to give her credit for that.
“I need to bring Jonah through with me,” she insisted.
“You know he can’t enter Avellane without being granted permission.” At least Felicity’s voice was gentle, even if it was clear she felt we were treading on thin ice.
Anissa didn’t seem to notice, or she still didn’t care. I couldn’t decide which it was.
“Can you grant it? Please. We need to get through. We’re in trouble, and we need protection.”
Felicity’s smile was sad. “I’m aware of that. We all are.”
“You are?”
“Yes, and I’m sorry to tell you I’m simply not allowed to grant permission. I don’t have authorization.”
“Who does?” Anissa asked.
I squeezed her hand. It was obvious, wasn’t it?
“I’ll ask if he’ll grant it to you,” Felicity replied. “Wait here. I won’t be long.” She stepped b
ack through the portal, leaving us alone.
I turned to Anissa. “She’s going to your father,” I muttered, stroking her face with the backs of my fingers.
It was very possible he wouldn’t grant me permission to go through, and I was willing to accept that as long as it meant she was safe. I would find something to do with myself—I might be able to get into league headquarters. She was the one I was worried about being allowed in. Funny how we were both in the same situation.
“What if he says no?” she whispered. “I didn’t think about that.”
“I know you didn’t. I didn’t, either, or I wouldn’t have tried to get through.” I took a deep breath. We were finally alone. “I’m so glad you’re all right,” I whispered. There was so much I wanted to say to her, but that was the one thought that kept resounding through my head. I was so relieved to be touching her.
“I know the feeling.” She grinned. “I was so afraid for you.”
I bent to kiss her, but, in the heartbeat before our lips touched, there was movement from the portal. It wasn’t Felicity who stepped through.
“Father!”
I stepped back as if Anissa had burned my skin. No way I was going to let Gregor catch me kissing his daughter. I got the feeling I wouldn’t have to worry about where to hide out, since he would make short work of me. The dark, murderous expression on his face told me as much.
For all her worry—and I could feel it in her elevated pulse—she looked happy to see him.
I was glad, too, knowing his presence meant she would be safe.
I remembered his last words to us.
Sign your death warrants. I’m disappointed in you both.
He was still disappointed, obviously.
“Why are you here?” he asked.
“We need your help,” Anissa explained, breathless.
“Oh. Now you need my help? You didn’t need me before, when I warned you how dangerous it would be. Didn’t I tell you?”
“Yes, you did. And I’m sorry. Really, I am.”
I had the feeling I was taking my life in my hands, but I took the chance. “There’s a lot of trouble out here,” I confided. “More than even Anissa knows about.”