He shoved past Morgan and entered her room. As soon as he saw her, he came to a stop and eyed her up and down, like she was something tasty. “Serena. What a…festive dress. You always did enjoy a bit of sparkle. No matter. I’ve purchased you some appropriate clothing for our travels.”
Morgan shut the door and turned to face her. Anger tightened his jaw and clenched his fist around the contract.
And it was a contract. Serena had seen it before, two centuries ago.
She didn’t think she’d ever forget her mother’s betrayal written down in black and white.
“What the hell is this?” Morgan demanded of her.
“My mother’s idea of a sick joke,” Serena replied.
Mr. Tolland frowned. “There is no joke. This document is as legally binding as it was the day it was written. I paid handsomely for your bond, and I intend to get what I paid for.”
“Not going to happen,” Morgan said.
“My mother is dead,” Serena said. “And even if she wasn’t, she had no right to sell me like livestock.”
“How much did you pay?” Morgan asked. “I’ll repay you and you can go on your way.”
“If memory serves, it was two bars of gold and a sword that had been in my family for generations.”
“I’ll repay you,” Serena said. “I don’t need anyone else cleaning up after my mother but me.”
Mr. Tolland laughed. “With interest, that would be a small fortune. And even if you did have it, I refuse. All I want is you.”
He stepped forward and held out his hand, expectant, as if there were no question as to whether or not she’d take it.
Serena remembered what it was like to touch him—the sharp, electric current he sent streaking through her like a static shock.
She hadn’t liked it then and she wouldn’t like it now that the power he carried had doubtlessly grown.
She kept her hands by her sides, tucking them in the ruffles of her skirt to hide the way they shook. Even she couldn’t tell if she was angrier at her mother for signing the contract or at Mr. Tolland for asking for it in the first place. “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested. If you have a problem with that, then you’ll have to take it up with the person you contracted with.”
“But she’s dead,” said Tolland.
“Exactly.”
Tolland’s mouth scrunched into a tight ring of distaste. “As her sole living heir, it’s your duty to uphold her promises.”
Was it? Serena didn’t know. She’d been out of the world so long she had no idea how things were done now.
Morgan came to her rescue. “Serena’s only duty is to herself. I’m sorry you came all this way, but you’re out of luck.”
Mr. Tolland turned his gaunt face toward Morgan, and though he was shorter, seemed to peer down his aristocratic nose. His voice was filled with casual dismissal, as one would speak to a servant. “This is none of your affair. Please leave.”
“Stay,” Serena countered. “It is his business.”
“How is that?” Mr. Tolland asked.
“Because I say so,” she practically shouted. “I’m tired of everyone pushing me around and making decisions for me. I’m a grown fucking woman!”
Mr. Tolland sucked in a startled breath at her language.
Morgan grinned.
“Now, get out, both of you!” she bellowed.
“This isn’t like you at all, Serena,” Mr. Tolland said.
All her frustration whirled around in her gut and came spewing out of her mouth. “We spent all of three hours together two hundred years ago. You don’t know what I’m like at all.”
“You used to be a well-mannered, genteel lady.”
“Well, I’m not anymore. My fucking mother locked me away in a fucking cage, alone for two fucking centuries. If you think I give a fuck about her or her fucking contracts, you can go fuck yourself.” Her gaze went from Mr. Tolland to Morgan. “That goes for you, too. Out!”
“This isn’t over, Serena,” Tolland said. “We’ll discuss our arrangement further, after you calm down from your hysterics.”
Serena jerked the alarm clock from the bedside table, yanked the cord from the plug, and flung it at his head.
He dodged all but the trailing end of the cord, which bit into his cheek, leaving a faint, red mark. Plastic shattered against the door behind him.
“Get out!” she screamed.
Morgan’s smile never broke as he opened the door, ushered the Brit out and closed it behind him.
Serena engaged the locks and leaned heavily against the cool wood.
She had no clue what she was going to do now, but she needed to figure out something fast.
Neither of those men would stop pursuing her until they got what they wanted. Her only options were to keep running for the rest of her life, or tie herself to one of them.
She knew which of those things she was willing to do.
It took her less than three minutes to pack her bag.
For now, running was the only choice she was prepared to make. Maybe that made her a coward, but at least she’d be a free one.
***
Sibyl sat in the dim confines of her makeshift bedroom, hugging her knees. Anxious energy flitted around her like stinging insects, taking tiny bites out of her.
It was nearly her turn again—nearly her turn to see what the future held for her people.
Maura, her twin sister, was still out there, fooling herself into thinking that she was soulless, like the demons they fought. Sibyl knew better. She knew that Maura was wrong. Troubled.
As she did every day, she reached out for the thread that tied them together, hoping to feel some answer, some warmth. Instead, all she felt was an empty chill.
Maura was still alive. If she wasn’t, then Sibyl would no longer have to wait for her turn to use her gift of sight. The toy they shared would be all hers.
As much as she hated waiting for insight that would help her people turn the tide of war, the wait reassured her, proving to her that her sister still lived.
Sibyl had spent years searching for a way to save her sister. She’d even used her gift of sight to seek knowledge, but had been barred from that future vision. Still, she’d been trapped inside a child’s body until recently—a last gift from her dead mother who’d cursed her to live as an eight-year-old for centuries. But now that she was an adult, there were more options at her disposal.
She was a female Theronai, as well as a seer. She could tap into the tremendous stores of power a male of her kind would hold, if only she could find one with whom she was compatible.
Until now, she hadn’t been ready for that kind of bond. But until now, she’d thought there would be time—time to get used to her adult body, time to get used to no longer having Cain around to protect her, time to grieve for the loss of her parents.
Time to find and save her sister.
It was clear now that time was not a luxury any of their kind possessed. The war was not going well. Their people were standing precariously balanced on the edge of defeat. All it would take was one little push to send them careening into the jaws of the demons who fed on their blood.
Sibyl was out of time. She needed a mate, which she would not find trapped inside this shelter with no unbound males of her kind to test.
She had to get out of here, which meant that she needed to be careful in her choice once it was her turn to see the future.
She would have only one chance, only be able to ask one question, before her gift was once again swept away by her sister—a sister who loved to hold it hostage for as long as possible, making Sibyl twist with impatience.
But her turn would come soon. Maura was as curious as a cat. She wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.
As soon as the thought passed through Sibyl’s mind, she felt a rush of power flood her body. It shimmered through her skin and bones until it became part of her. The whole space inside her cardboard lair lit up as her flesh began to glow and heat poured from her body.
/> Her gift was back.
Sibyl didn’t know what her sister had seen. She didn’t even know what she’d asked the future to reveal. All she knew was that whatever Maura saw, she’d used it against her own people. A traitor.
Regret dampened Sibyl’s excitement. She should have found a way to convince Maura to come home, to rejoin her family. She should have slipped out into the world and gathered up her twin in her arms and refused to let go until Maura saw the truth.
She wasn’t beyond redemption. No one was.
Even with all the harm she’d done, all the evil she’d allowed to grow and swell, there was still part of her worth saving. And no matter what it took, Sibyl was going to find that part and rip it from her sister, kicking and screaming.
But first, she was going to need power—more of it than she’d ever had before.
Sibyl formed her question in her mind. She built it, framing it carefully, then covering it with an impervious shell so that her will could not wander and muddy her vision.
Her answer had to be clear, which meant her question did as well.
Once she was certain that she had the right wording in her mind—because she knew better than anyone that wording mattered—she set free her question into the world.
There was only one way she was going to be free to find her sister, only one way she was going to be able to find her mate and bind him to her.
Only one way her sister survived.
Her voice was a mere whisper that couldn’t possibly travel outside of her shadowy space and reach the ears of another. “How do we save Dabyr?”
Chapter Seven
Morgan waited for Link to get into his rental car, then parked his truck behind it so the man couldn’t follow Serena.
She was going to run. There wasn’t a single doubt in Morgan’s mind. He’d seen it in her eyes the second Link had walked into the room—a desperate need to get away. Flee.
A couple of minutes later, she raced out of the hotel and left the parking lot in a screech of burning tires.
He’d find her again, but Link wouldn’t.
The gaunt Brit got out of his car and came up to Morgan’s window, fuming.
Morgan greeted him with a smile. “Can I help you?”
“I don’t know who you think you are, but you have no right to interfere in my personal affairs.”
“I’m not. I’m simply helping a woman in need.”
“What need?” Link asked, indignant.
“The need to get away from a self-important asshole like you. Obviously.”
“Do you want me to draw steel on you?”
Morgan shrugged, unconcerned. “Can if you like. I’d hate to hurt you, but I will if you insist.”
“Who’s to say I wouldn’t hurt you?”
“Anything is possible, but I can guarantee that if either of us sheds blood in this part of the country, a lot of demons will come running for a snack. An area as populated as this is bound to suffer some human casualties. I’m not willing to have that on my conscience. Unless you make the first move.”
“This is ridiculous. No one has to die. Serena is mine by law. Just accept that and get out of my way.”
“Nope.”
Link bristled and his cheeks flushed red with anger. “What do you mean, nope?”
“Serena doesn’t like you. She doesn’t want to be with you. If she did, she would have asked you to stay. Ergo, nope.”
“So, you’ll sit here all night, blocking me in like some kind of child throwing a tantrum?”
Morgan shook his head. “I’ll move in a few minutes—once Serena has a decent head start. What you do after that is your own business.”
“You know I’m going after her, right?” Link asked. “She belongs to me.”
Morgan shook his head. “With an attitude like that, you’ve already lost her.”
“She has no choice. The law is on my side.”
“I have a feeling that if Serena were here, she’d tell you to go fuck the law.”
Link clenched his jaw and stomped off. Morgan remained alert, waiting for an attack, but it never came.
The Brit might have been a self-important prick, but at least he wasn’t risking human lives. Morgan had to give him credit for showing that much restraint.
Morgan had only one play left to make, and he wasn’t sure how well it was going to go over.
He called their leader, Joseph, and made sure he knew not to give Serena’s location to anyone. He explained the situation in as little detail as possible, and told the man that until they knew who Link was, he was to be considered a threat.
If nothing else, he’d forced Serena to flee again.
Once that call was over, the one Morgan had to make now was as uncomfortable as it was necessary.
Iain—the man Serena had been in love with years ago—answered on the third ring. “What’s up, Morgan?”
“Staying busy. You?” Morgan asked.
“Life in the shelter sucks. Everyone is bored and scared. The place reeks with all these people crowded in together.”
“How are people doing there? Are the kids adjusting?”
“Kids always adjust. Just wish they didn’t have to, you know? Still, beats having to fight off demons every night because we have no safe place to go.” He let out a long sigh. “It’s going to get worse. Let’s hope Joseph is able to get the walls back up soon.”
“How’s Jackie?” Morgan asked.
“Struggling. Pregnancy isn’t for pussies.” He sounded worried, almost scared.
Things must not be going well for a man as calm as Iain to be freaked out.
“Fortunately, the baby will be here any day now,” he said. “But small talk is not why you called, is it?”
“No.” He pulled in a deep breath. There was no easy way to say this, but at least the direct approach was fastest. “Serena and I are compatible.”
Iain didn’t even hesitate. “That’s great news!” Genuine joy colored his tone.
“You’re not jealous?”
“Not even a little. Why would I be?”
“You two were…close.”
“We were more than that. We were in love. We were going to tie our lives together permanently. She was an amazing woman and I was lucky to have her for as long as I did. But that’s all ancient history. I have Jackie now. And a kid on the way. How could I want any less happiness for Serena? After what she’s been through, she deserves it. You two will be great together.”
The feeling of relief Morgan had weakened his knees. He hadn’t realized until now just how much he wanted Iain’s blessing to pursue Serena. They’d been friends a long time, as close as brothers. The idea that Iain would be pissed at him had grated on his nerves and made him edgy.
Now, all he felt was free.
“What do you know about Link Tolland?” he asked.
Iain’s voice lost its warmth. “Why?”
“He showed up out of the blue with a contract stating Serena was given to him. Can you believe that shit?”
Iain sighed. “Yeah. I can. Serena’s mother was a heinous cunt. She didn’t care about Serena or what she wanted. All she cared about was appearances and status. I was never good enough for her, but Link was.”
“Is he a bad guy?”
“He’s full of himself, but who am I to say who’s a bad guy and who isn’t? I’m the dude with no soul, remember?”
Morgan stared out his windshield at Serena’s hotel room. He knew she wasn’t in there anymore, but he couldn’t help but remember how close he’d been to striking a bargain with her.
Maybe.
“I want her, Iain,” Morgan blurted. “I didn’t realize I would, but here we are. The pain—”
Iain cut him off, his voice soft, sympathetic. “I know. I understand.”
And he did. Iain had lived with his own pain for a long time. It was not the kind of thing a man easily forgot.
“I’m on your side,” Iain said. “You want to know how to convince her to
love you, right?”
Something cold and hard clenched in his gut. “No. Not love. I’m not foolish enough to think that’s where we’re headed. But I do want a partner. I need one if I’m going to keep fighting. And honestly, binding her to me is the best way I can think of to protect her.”
Iain’s tone was one of complete understanding. “Whatever you do, don’t tell her that. Serena hates to be coddled. She spent her whole life being bossed around and controlled by her mother. If you try to use force—even for her own protection—you’ll lose her forever.”
“So, what do I do? She keeps running away.”
“Indulge her wishes. Respect her. She’s about as tough as they come, and smart enough to know what she wants and doesn’t.”
But what if she didn’t want him? He didn’t know how much longer he had, and now that he’d touched her and had a moment free of pain, the burden he carried around seemed so much heavier. That one moment of reprieve she’d granted him had revealed just how far he’d degraded over the years without even noticing.
Too far.
“Thanks, Iain. I owe you.”
“Then find a way to make her happy and we’ll call it even. She’s a good woman, Morgan. She deserves to be happy.”
Could he do that? Morgan wasn’t sure, but he did know he had to try. There was too much at stake for him to half-ass this.
His life was on the line. So was Serena’s freedom. Not to mention that one more bonded pair of Theronai could mean the difference between life and death for thousands.
“One more thing,” Iain said.
“What’s that?”
“If you hurt her, I will kill you.”
Morgan grunted. “Only if Serena doesn’t beat you to it.”
***
Link Tolland had the law on his side. He didn’t care if the contract was old, or that the laws had changed. He didn’t care about political correctness or public opinion. Right was right, and Serena legally belonged to him.
He was running out of time. With only two leaves left on his lifemark, and his agony expanding by the day, he knew that Serena was his last chance at survival.
And he had to survive. His people were suffering, their numbers dwindling by the week. Another bonded pair of Theronai in Europe would make all the difference in saving the lives of those he was sworn to protect.
Saving Daylight Page 6