The Jeep comes to a jarring stop beneath the carport as the tires catch on dry pavement. I stomp my way to the front door.
“Oh!” I put my hand on my chest, forcing myself to take a deep breath.
“You doing okay?” Aidan brushes the snow from his pants as he stands from his perch on the front steps.
“What are you doing here?” I squeeze past him, jamming my key into the lock and wrenching the door open. I pause just long enough to stomp my boots clean and rush inside, leaving the door open.
Aidan follows me inside, closing the door quietly, and twists the lock into place as he leans against the door. “What’s got you all fired up?”
“My mother.” I wrestle out of my jacket.
“You two have a fight?” Aidan takes my coat from me, laying it gently on a stack of boxes.
I wiggle my boots off and kick them against the wall, each landing with a loud thump. The warmth of my house settles over me, and I take a deep breath, relaxing slightly. “We’ve been fighting my entire life. What’s one more?”
A booming knock echoes through the entry, interrupting my rant. Aidan holds a single finger to his lips, sneaking over to the door to peer out of the peephole. He quickly glances at me then opens the door.
Cap strides in, snow sliding off his long coat and dripping on the floor, followed closely by Donnelly.
“What the hell?” I fold my arms across my chest, my anger instantly flaring again.
“Hush, girl. Sit. We have things to discuss. Your mother tells me you met Bos.” Cap looks at Aidan.
Aidan nods. “And Kyrell.”
Cap looks sharply from Aidan to me, and I wither slightly beneath his penetrating gaze.
They show themselves to my living room, leaving me to rush after them. “I have a name, you know.”
“Ciara, please.” Donnelly moves a pile of books, lowering himself to the couch. His words send a shiver down my spine. A voice I’ve only heard in my dreams. “What’s with all the boxes?”
“I’m moving. There’s nothing for me here.” I cross my arms and glare at him, daring him to argue.
Donnelly sighs. “Does your mother know?”
“I mentioned it.”
Cap raises his hand, putting a stop to the idle chitchat. “Out of the question.”
I puff up, ready to argue, but bite my tongue at his commanding stare.
Cap settles himself on the couch, glancing around, looking slightly uncomfortable. “Please, sit.”
Frowning, I shuffle a stack of packing paper off the fluffy leather armchair and sit down. “What?”
“Your city is in danger. The humans are in danger.” Cap readjusts his position.
I snort, sobering quickly. “Humans? What kind of danger and what does it have to do with me?”
“You met Taurus, although he’s answering to the name Bos on this planet.” He spits the words out, dripping with disgust.
“Taurus? Like the Zodiac?” I laugh, high-pitched and hysterical thanks to all the stress of the last two days.
“We are real.” Cap stares at me, one eyebrow cocked high on his forehead, his face less than amused.
“We? You’re one too? You’re Cap, so that must make you the mighty Capricorn.” My laughter subsides at the silence in the room.
“You don’t think I’m that stupid?” I stand, looking at each of the three strangers in my home.
“I have to go. Thanks, for whatever this was.” I march back to the front door and slip back into my boots.
Aidan appears at my side. “Where are you going? You need to listen to this.” He places his hand on my arm, stopping me from zipping up my boot, a tingle racing through me. “You said you wanted answers.”
“Answers. Not crazy. I’m going to meet Jocelyn at the casino for lunch, not that it’s any of your business.” I shake off his hand, zip my boots, and slide into my coat.
Aidan grabs my arm again. “You’re not going to Bos’s casino again, are you?”
“Jocelyn asked me to go.” I shake free of his grip. “She’d go with me.”
Donnelly jumps to his feet. “It’s too dangerous.”
“She could find out what his plans are.” Cap absently strokes his goatee.
“He’ll kill her.” Donnelly’s face rapidly changes shades of red.
Aidan steps forward. “Taurus already sent his goons after her last night. We barely made it here.”
“Finding out any information we can is important.”
“More important than her life?” Donnelly takes a step back as Capricorn rises from the couch, filling the room with his presence.
“We need to know what he’s doing, and we cannot rely on anyone else.” Cap’s voice booms.
Balling his fists, Donnelly stares at Capricorn. “She’s not some tool for you to use wherever you see fit. She doesn’t know what’s happening. I won’t allow it.”
“Learn your place. It is not for you to allow. If the girl fails, we move on.”
“I don’t need anyone’s permission. Show yourselves out.” I slam the door behind me.
I stand outside the front of Bullion Casino, debating with myself about whether I should stay or not. The snow drifts lazily around me, helping to calm my temper. With a deep breath, I close my eyes against the offensive flashing neon lights, letting the tiny flakes kiss my cheeks. It’s time to go.
“I didn’t think you’d come.” My eyes fly open. Too late.
Jocelyn stands in front of me, hands in her coat pockets, looking uncharacteristically somber. “I’m glad, though.”
I hook my arm through hers and pull her toward the front door.
“Let’s get this over with. Keep in mind that you owe me.” I shoot her a sideways glance, and she nods, smiling.
We step through the rotating front doors, the casino logo, a large gold B with curly tendrils resting on a stack of gold bars, filling up the glass. Hot air blasts through a vent on the floor, that strange, earthy scent heavy in the air.
We walk across the entrance, cigarette smoke hanging like a thick fog as we wind our way toward the front desk. Every machine we pass, people stop to stare at me, making the back of my neck tingle.
“Why are you squeezing me so tight?” Jocelyn tugs her arm free.
“What? Sorry.” I bury my hands in my coat pockets, picking up the pace, and lead the way up to the desk.
Wesley waits by the counter, wearing an all-black suit that probably costs more than my house. Dark sunglasses sit firmly on his nose even in the dimly lit casino. I stumble as I recognize him.
Wesley smirks. “Bos is waiting.” He leads the way around the back of the counter to a private elevator, the silver doors shiny and unmarked. He produces a key card from his inner coat pocket, scanning the card and punching in a security pin. The doors silently slide open, and we step inside.
I push against the wall, staying as far away from Wesley as the tiny elevator allows.
Bos waits just outside the doors as they part, giving way to a large banquet room, with bare walls painted the blue of a clear summer sky. “I’m pleased you could join me.”
Slade leans against the far wall, arms folded across his chest and wearing the same black suit as his counterpart.
Wesley ushers us quickly to the large round table in the center of the room, adorned with crystal goblets and gold-plated silverware. Reena sits at the table, and I stop short, surprised to see her here.
Reena Sanderson, the manager of the accounting department I work in at the Gold and Silver Casino, watches me through dark bangs, the intensity in her stare making me uncomfortable. Just a few years older than me, we’d been friends for a long time. She’d hired me instantly, after her promotion, always making sure I was happy at work and had plenty of salary to live comfortably.
I take care to choose my seat as far away from Bos as possible. This needs to be the last time I see the man, no matter what Jocelyn or anyone else wants.
I lean over, whispering to Reena. “What are you
doing here? How do you know this guy?”
“Lunch will be along shortly. I hope you’re hungry.” Bos turns to me, a greasy smile on his face.
“Not really.” My stomach betrays me at that moment by loudly rumbling.
“I see you already know our other guest.” He reaches out, running his finger down Reena’s face, and she wrenches away from his touch. He keeps his eyes on Reena, her breath quickening, but he speaks to me. “But how well do you know her?”
“Whatever you’re doing, stop it. She doesn’t like it.” A cold shiver runs down my spine and I immediately understand coming here was a huge mistake.
Bos cuts his eyes toward me, keeping his face inches from Reena.
“We’re friends, from a long way back. I work for her. Not that that’s any of your business. What’s this all about?” The words tumble out of my mouth like water over a cliff, my heart a jackhammer in my chest.
Bos smiles, the green and brown swirling in his eyes setting my nerves on edge.
“Ciara, I’m so sorry.” Tears form in Reena’s eyes, her face growing paler by the second.
“Let us have a friendly conversation.” Bos sips water from his goblet. “You know who I am, yes?”
Jocelyn, who until then had frozen with shock, flies out of her chair.
“You’re a monster! You let her go!” She charges Bos, arms outstretched to grab him, and with barely a flick of his wrist, she crashes to the floor, unmoving.
“Jocelyn!” I start toward her but freeze at the sight of his upheld hand.
“She’s alive. Leave her be. This conversation does not concern her. It’s all about you.” Bos slips the cotton napkin from beneath his silverware, tucking it neatly on his lap.
I squeeze my fists so tight, my nails dig tiny trenches in my hands as I struggle to keep my voice steady. “What is this?”
Bos faces Reena. “Tell me who I am.”
“I know you, Taurus. The Zodiac.” Reena chokes on the last two words.
I look back and forth between the two. “What? It’s true? Zodiacs are real?”
A menacing grin slides across his face.
“Someone is starting to get an education. If the truth is out, Taurus will suffice.” He leans forward, his eyes flashing dangerously.
“Tell me, what else have you learned?” He laughs at my puzzled look.
“I wanted to tell you, Ciara, to tell you everything. Seeing you every day and knowing the truth. You’re one of my closest friends, and I’m sorry I’ve betrayed you to this maniac.”
Taurus backhands her in the blink of an eye, the force nearly knocking her to the floor. He motions and Slade steps forward, tying her roughly to her chair.
“You’ll never get what you want.” Reena straightens herself, licking the blood from her split lip and turning a pleading look toward me. “Ciara, you have to warn the others. Don't make my mistake.”
Taurus slams his fist on the table, rattling the silverware and spilling the goblets, water soaking through the tablecloth.
“You tell me where it is!” His voice cracks through the room like thunder during a storm.
Reena flinches. “Never.”
“Then you’ll die for it,” Taurus hisses. He leans in close, venom poisoning his words. “And someone else will tell me.”
“Tell him! Whatever it is he wants to know, just tell him!” Inching closer, I sneak a peek at Jocelyn, who groans, starting to wake.
“I can’t. One day you’ll get it.” Reena stares at me, silently begging me to understand.
I shake my head, pursing my lips. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s happening.”
Taurus motions to Slade. He steps forward again, pulling out a small silver pistol hidden in his inner coat pocket. “Last chance.”
Reena takes a deep breath and sits up straight, squaring her shoulders. “You’ll never get what you want. You don’t deserve it. You can’t handle it. The Guardians will stop you.”
I jump as the gunshot rings through the air.
Blood sprays, staining the napkins on the table and the carpet below. Reena slumps forward in her chair, her head hanging limply, as blood drips down the side of her ashen face.
With shaking hands, I cover my mouth to keep from screaming.
Taurus hands the clean napkin from his lap to Slade, who wipes the blood splatters from his hand.
“I prefer the old ways. Less messy.” He turns to me. “Now, what do I do with you?”
A door to my right bursts open and a small security unit rushes inside, guns held high. They head straight for Taurus, surrounding him.
I dive for Jocelyn, dragging her to her feet as she stumbles groggily. Jocelyn tries to focus as her eyes fall on Reena’s lifeless body and she screams, high and piercing.
“Stop them!”
I slap my hand over Jocelyn’s mouth to stop the screaming as we crash through the emergency door, the alarm blaring.
CHAPTER FIVE
We dash for the stairs, passing a sign that reads 15th Floor. The emergency siren echoes around us, making my head pound.
I take the stairs two at a time, half jumping, half running. Jocelyn stumbles behind me, not nearly as graceful and still dizzy from being unconscious.
“Stop for a minute.” Jocelyn bends in half, struggling to breathe.
“I’m so sorry about this.” Jocelyn chokes as tears well up in her eyes. She begins to heave, vomit splashing across the stairwell. She coughs, straightening up.
I look back at her and see Wesley and Slade running down the stairs, rapidly closing the distance. The doors to the stairwell bang open as I grab Jocelyn’s hand and panicked gamblers flood the small space, all fighting to make it safely to the exit.
We get caught up in the current, and I desperately cling to Jocelyn, racing down the stairs as fast as we can move. I search for our assailants, relieved that Wesley and Slade were still a couple of flights above us. My eyes leave the stairs just long enough to slip on one of the stairs and bump into a man to my left, causing him to stumble into the man in front of him.
A small fight breaks out, and we slip past the shouts and chaos.
“There!” We hit the bottom of the stairs and crash through the door, slamming into Aidan, who’s waiting for us in the private car garage. I choke back a sob and fling myself into his arms. “What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you. Where’s your car?” Aidan asks as he gently pulls me forward and reaches for Jocelyn.
“Around the side, on Virginia Street.”
“Let’s go,” Aidan shouts as panicked people fill the garage around us. I grab Jocelyn and push her toward the exit that's lit up by the soft silver light seeping through the clouds.
The door opens behind us, and a large group of people stampedes out of the casino, adding to the chaos, a mixture of employees and gamblers with Slade at the helm. They look like an angry mob, minus the torches and pitchforks.
“Run!” Aidan shoves me from behind, sprinting toward the street exit. We break through the opening, sliding the instant our feet hit the icy sidewalk. We crash into each other, like a panicked game of bumper cars.
Around the corner, I slam into a man wearing a maroon vest with a gold B embroidered on his chest. I hit the ground, landing squarely on my tailbone, and swallow back the urge to throw up, rolling to the side a little too late. He grabs me, pinning my arms behind my back, and drags me toward the casino.
“Aidan!” He lets go of Jocelyn, rushing back to me, his eyes blazing angrily. He lowers his shoulder and drives into my captor. I duck my head to keep from getting kicked.
My arms suddenly free, I jump to my feet and race to the car, pausing to look back at the grappling men, and gasp. The man has a knife.
Aidan yells as the man slices his bicep. He lands an angry elbow in the man’s nose, rolling off him and springing to his feet.
The mob, led by Slade, spills out of the parking garage after us, like angry bees emptying a hive.
I wrench
my keys out of my coat pocket, tossing them to Aidan. He hits the button, and the taillights flash. I shove Jocelyn inside and leap in on top of her. With tires screeching, we roar down the street.
The Jeep fishtails around the corner, narrowly missing an oncoming car. The vehicle swerves, blaring the horn as we race by them.
“Your arm is bleeding. Are you okay?” I struggle to help Jocelyn sit upright.
Aidan glances in the rearview mirror as he screeches around another turn. “I’ll be fine. How about you two?”
“Far from it. Bos, or Taurus, or whatever you want to call him, murdered my boss. She was my friend.” I fight back the tears as I check over Jocelyn. Aside from the purple and blue bruise forming on her cheek and looking a little pale, she seems okay.
“She thought I should know things that I don’t. It was something about Guardians. Does that mean anything to you?” I lean forward to look at Aidan.
“Are we being followed?” Aidan turns onto a side street, barely keeping control of my Jeep.
I pull my knees onto the seat, propping up to look out the back window. “I don’t see anyone.”
“Good.” He floors the gas pedal, heading straight for the highway.
“Where are we going?” I turn back around and lock my seatbelt.
Aidan shoots a quick glance in the mirror and swears beneath his breath. “Somewhere we’ll be safe, I hope. If I can lose our tail.”
Twisting in my seat, I see a shiny black SUV speeding after us. “Why is this happening? And I want answers this time.”
Aidan sighs, keeping his eyes on the road as he weaves in and out of traffic, flying onto the 395 South ramp. Horns blare, but Aidan pushes harder on the gas pedal.
“I can’t give you all the answers. It’s not my duty. I can explain more in time, but not now.” He steals another quick glance at me.
“Just know that you’re special, Ciara. More so than the others like you.”
“Others like me?” I’m tired of riddles, and fold my arms across my chest to stare out the window.
Aidan yanks the wheel, flying across three lanes of traffic. A symphony of horns fills the air as he takes the exit to Mt. Rose Highway at a dangerous speed.
The Tenth House Page 4