“John, meet my long-lost sire, Petronus. He finally decided to wake up.”
“A pleasure, sir. The wrong clan?” John tilted his head quizzically.
“My family is from a line of spies. We have the ability to open locks, can shift our skin color, see, smell and hear well,” Roc rattled off.
“That explains your choice of trade. However, I must warn you, it sounded like this group has several loosely organized sects all over the world. They call themselves the Rose Syndicate.”
“I’m not surprised, not after what I’ve seen.” Roc nodded.
“We are wasting time,” Petronus grumbled, impatiently dropping Cohosh’s unconscious body.
“Will you be okay with my sire while I go handle this mess?” Roc asked John, slightly concerned, given the way the other human among them was faring.
“Rochelle, your elderly Earthian will be just fine.”
“Rochelle?” John asked, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement.
“Sire, don’t call me that.” He scowled at Petronus.
“Why? It is your name.” Petronus smirked, knowing full well that was a sore point.
“It’s a girl’s name. Why for the love of Lar did you let Mum call me that?” He threw up his hands.
“But you were her little rock,” Petronus teased and John chuckled. His name literally translated to little rock in French.
The pair were going to get along just fine.
“Don’t encourage him,” Roc groaned then headed back into the abandoned pumping station. Cleaning up a building full of his enemies was preferable to being mocked by his long-lost sire.
meline
“Keep trying to reach Cohosh, I want to know what’s going on,” Nightshade said to the thug across from him.
She was desperate to know, too. Meline never imagined being tied up at gunpoint would be the second scariest thing she’d experience. She was ready to come out of her skin wondering what was happening to Roc. Images of him being riddled with bullets after the angry psychopath discovered the medallion was a fake kept playing through her mind.
I have to do something.
“Tell him to let Roc and John go and I’ll tell you where the relic is,” Meline blurt, panic getting the best of her.
“I fail to believe that,” Nightshade commented, unimpressed, and turned back to his laptop.
“Don’t ignore me. I know where it is,” she snapped. They needed to listen to her.
The sigil was dangerous in the wrong hands, but it was just a thing. If they killed Roc or John it was permanent. They needed to survive this and then worry about how to get the medallion back later.
“Miss Lauber, I’m in no mood to play games with you. The relic’s not here, and it wasn’t in your parent’s home. I thought your family was tenaciously holding onto this secret, since even with the threat of death, your parents refused to give it up. But I have a feeling I’ve been wrong.”
Meline sucked in a stunned breath. “You killed them! You ran them off the road!” she shouted, pain making her voice raw. She wasn’t crazy, someone had been in her parent’s home before she sold it.
She was so devastated and angered by the news, she couldn’t think straight. Meline struggled, the chair groaning as she fought to get free.
“Don’t.” Nightshade waved the gun at her. “Yes, we engineered your parents’ accident. Unfortunately, it didn’t bring anything to light. But I must thank you, you did lead us to someone who can locate the relic for us. Assuming Cohosh hasn’t done something stupid.” Nightshade scowled at his phone silently sitting on the table. “Besides, I’m not gullible and you don’t strike me as stupid. We both know that if you give me the information I want, then I’d have no further use for you.”
Fuck! She clearly was no good at this psycho manipulation.
Nightshade laughed seeing the expression on her face. He was getting off on torturing her. His phone pinged, and the sadistic bastard glanced down at it. Her heart sped up as he read the text then sent a reply.
Please be okay. She bit her lip.
“Well, Miss Lauber, it seems hearing your voice has encouraged our winged friend to talk. He’s offered up just enough to buy you some time. It looks like we’re meeting Cohosh in New York.”
Thank God, he’s alive. Meline’s shoulders eased and she let out a relieved sigh.
But her relief was short-lived. She’d made things infinitely worse. If she’d just taken Roc’s advice and stayed with Jen maybe he would’ve fought off these pricks without worrying about her, like he explained to begin with. Instead, he was caged like a dog. And God only knew what they’d do to him, or her, to get the rest of the information.
15
Roc
Nightshade wasn’t expecting him in New York City for another eight hours. That was, the prick wasn’t expecting Cohosh till late morning. It was how long the drive would take. Except Roc didn’t plan on driving or going all the way to New York City, like he’d messaged Nightshade.
“You weigh a fucking ton,” Roc growled in frustration as he shifted his burden.
They couldn’t fly nearly fast enough taking turns carrying the piece of shit Cohosh. He would’ve dropped the fucker bundled up like an Eskimo if he didn’t need him for insurance. Setting the pumping station on fire then getting John settled someplace safe had taken longer than he’d have liked, but they were still making good time.
He’d worried about giving the bastards the actual location of the sigil, but he needed Nightshade to think Cohosh was getting somewhere with him. Meline’s life depended on it. And he didn’t know what they might’ve gotten out of her. The vile sons of bitches already tried to burn her alive.
Finally, the Connecticut coastline was within sight. They were so close to Meline’s house, he could barely contain himself. It only took breaking a few of Cohosh’s fingers to learn that was where Nightshade was holding her.
“We are close, I can sense my sigil.” Petronus broke off and headed south toward Long Island.
“Yes, but we’re going after Meline first,” Roc hollered the reminder over the whipping wind as he caught up with his sire.
Petronus landed in a nearby tree and he followed. Roc propped Cohosh against the trunk and put a boot on the unconscious man to keep him balanced on the branch.
“Rochelle, I know what you said, but we need to get my sigil. We cannot let it fall into the wrong hands,” Petronus argued in Khargal. It was odd hearing the old language again.
“Call me Roc,” he growled in frustration. “And, yes, I remember the few depressing bedtime stories you told me about the sigil, but we’re getting Meline first!” he rumbled adamantly.
“I understand, but it is better you forget about your friends. We will be heading back to Duras soon. It is best to cut ties now.”
“Did you forget that I’m half human, that even though you hate this place, it’s the only home I know?”
“This is not home, mine or yours!” Petronus’ brow furrowed. “You should not have to hide in a place you call home. Do not think I missed how you mutilated your horns in attempt to fit in here,” Petronus spat in frustration and disgust.
“And I’ll fit in better as a hybrid on Duras?” Roc countered.
“Yes! Our people are not closed off.”
Roc shook his head. This was a pointless discussion.
“Forget about Duras and the sigil for a damn minute. There’s no way in hell I’m leaving Meline with those bastards. We go that way.” He pointed.
Petronus’ eyes narrowed on him. “You mated this female!”
Disappointment and judgment rumbled in Petronus’ voice. Mixing with the primitive humans was the ultimate sin. They weren’t supposed to get involved and alter the human’s natural course. Not that he cared. He refused to be ashamed of Meline.
“I haven’t married her, but I do care what happens to her! I’m not a complete bastard. Sacrament, you’re impossible.”
“Marry?! That is an Earthian c
ustom. I am talking about mating,” Petronus scoffed.
“How would I know? You only ever insisted I stay away from humans and never bothered to explain the Khargal version of the birds and the bees,” Roc railed at his sire. “No, it’s not possible.”
Roc shook his head in denial, not because he didn’t want it to be true, but because in all his years and with all the females he’d met, it had never happened. It was almost too much to hope for. He couldn’t imagine being mated to a better woman—or anything that frightened him more. It was because of him Meline was in danger.
Before Petronus could reply and explain what he was talking about, Cohosh’s mobile pinged. Roc used the pin he’d forced out of Cohosh to access the message from Nightshade.
‘Status update.’
I’d like a status update, too! But it’s not like he could demand how Meline was doing, without making Nightshade suspicious.
The thought of what might be happening to her twisted him in knots. Even if they didn’t rough her up like they did John, she had to be terrified after what they’d already done to her. The mere thought of her in tears made him want to rip something to shreds.
“Rochelle, you are going to break that device if you do not retract your claws,” Petronus warned.
Roc grunted and sent the text, hoping his message was received, then hefted Cohosh off the branch.
“Let’s go. We’ve wasted enough time,” Roc huffed.
“The life of your Earthian is fleeting when compared to the risk the sigil poses.”
“Enough, sire! I can’t believe you. Did Mum honestly mean so little to you that you can’t understand what Meline means to me? I was really starting to think maybe I had things all wrong about you, but I guess that was just me lying to myself like always,” he snarled in anger.
“I can see there is no reasoning with you, so go, but I have to get my sigil. I will meet you at the rendezvous when I have it.” Petronus took off toward New York City and Roc let him go.
It was the same old story with Petronus, honor and duty above all else. Maybe what he had with Meline was fleeting and there was no hope for them, but he wasn’t about to leave her at the mercy of those fuckers for another second. He’d managed for centuries without Petronus, he could certainly do this alone.
meline
“So, what, are you planning on killing us when all this is over?” Meline demanded, interrupting whatever Nightshade was doing on his computer.
“Well, once we get the specific location of the relic out of him, the gargoyle will go to a facility. His kind has miraculous capabilities, but I think you’re aware of that.”
Her breath sped up and bile rose in her throat. They were going to turn Roc into a science experiment after torturing him. She started shaking and bit her lip to keep from vomiting.
“As for you, assuming we don’t have to kill you to make a point, after my people question you, you’re free to go,” Nightshade added then shrugged as if it was all routine.
“You’ll just let me go?! Why don’t I believe that?”
Nightshade wore a suit and acted with a bit more restraint than the handful of thugs in black fatigues who kept eyeing her with malice, but she wasn’t fooled. His thin veneer of sophistication hid an egomaniacal psychopath.
“My organization has a broad reach and support in high places, so it would be wise to not make trouble. But you go ahead and tell whoever you want about this. No one’s going to believe an uneducated travel agent,” Nightshade countered.
The barely veiled threat hit its mark. It was just like she feared; there was no end to this. Who would believe that some shadowy organization held her, a nobody, captive? The story was hard enough to take seriously even if she didn’t mention alien gargoyles. The way Nightshade talked, these crazy bastards would always be watching, waiting for her to slip up. Then they’d undoubtedly make her life a living hell. And all the while Roc would be truly living a nightmare, being prodded and cut up.
Meline tipped her head back and looked at the ceiling, desperately trying to hold in her tears. She’d rather die than be faced with a future like this.
“Cohosh just replied.” One of the gun-toting soldiers slid the cell phone toward Nightshade. “They just crossed the border into the states. He said it was easy as cherry pie.”
Her head popped up at the man’s choice of words. It couldn’t be a coincidence. A thrill of excitement coursed through her. It was a message from Roc. It had to be. She just needed to be ready.
“Good.” Nightshade nodded then glanced at her.
She quickly wiped the eager expression off her face, but he already caught it, his eyes narrowing on her.
“Something’s not right. Load up. We’re moving out,” Nightshade snapped.
Fuck! Roc managed to send her a message and she ruined it.
The gunman with the broken nose cut her ropes, barely avoiding her wrists, then tugged her out of the chair.
“Don’t do anything stupid.” He gripped her arm and practically dragged her to the SUV parked in her garage.
Apparently, that’s all I’m capable of.
The man shoved her into the back of the SUV as the others loaded their gear into the trunk. When he turned to shut his door, she wrenched her arm free and grabbed the handle on her side.
“No!” she screamed when it refused to open.
The thug grabbed the back of her neck and squeezed. “Child safety locks,” he laughed.
Nightshade got into the front passenger seat and the overweight gunman started up the engine. As they pulled out of her driveway another nondescript vehicle joined them, leading the way down the road.
What am I going to do? This shit has to end here!
Meline neurotically played with her seatbelt as she stared out the window. It was the middle of the night and the only people on the road were the drunks leaving the bars. It didn’t really matter, it could be broad daylight and she doubted anyone could help her. She didn’t know what Roc had planned, but she’d obviously screwed it up tipping off Nightshade. Now it was up to her to figure a way out of this mess.
Something large that looked like a body suddenly slammed into the roof of the first SUV in their caravan.
“What the fuck?!” the driver bellowed as he swerved to avoid the careening vehicle, but failed to miss the body in the road.
She drew in a horrified gasp as the SUV bounced, driving over the unfortunate soul on the pavement. Meline quickly regained her wits. This was her chance. Before the driver corrected, she lunged forward and covered his eyes, her fingers digging in. She released every bit of rage and anguish for what they’d done to her family.
“Get her off me,” the man screamed in agony, as her nails sliced into his vulnerable flesh.
Nightshade and the other gunman desperately tried to pry her hands away, but she held on, fueled by vengeance, tapping into strength she didn’t know she had. Her fingers felt sticky as they sunk deeper into the wailing man’s eyes. The SUV veered this way and that. Nightshade grabbed the wheel but overcorrected.
Meline was forced to let go when the car flipped. She frantically gripped her knees as everything somersaulted. Breaking glass cut her shoulder and arm when she slammed into the door and something else struck her in the head as it flew through the cabin. The SUV came to a stop and she hung from her seatbelt, the strap biting into her stomach. Nightshade groaned from the front seat. The gunman beside her lay crumpled and bloody on the glass-covered ceiling. The moron hadn’t been wearing his seatbelt.
Despite the pain in her shoulder, she didn’t waste any time getting out of her own belt. Meline repressed a cry as she dropped to the ceiling of the mangled car. The roof had caved in too much for her to climb out the broken window. She tugged on the door handle and kicked. Even damaged, the door still wouldn’t budge.
“Come on!” she screamed at it.
“Meline!”
“Roc!” she yelled in reply to his frantic shout.
He was suddenly pee
ring in through the mangled window. She couldn’t have been more ecstatic if God himself descended to answer her prayer. Roc pried the door off its hinges with a determined roar. He reached in and gently pulled her out of the wreckage then cradled her against his chest. Before she could blink, he leapt into the air. The sound of gunfire coming from the ground below lit up the night, but the way Roc swiftly darted through the sky, they had no hope of hitting them. Meline clung tight to Roc’s neck as he flew.
roc
The sun was just peeking over the horizon when he landed in the only place he could think of that was safe in New York, the rooftop of Evensong.
“Are you okay?” His voice wavered as he stroked Meline’s back.
He nearly died when the SUV barreled end over end. He’d missed the mark when he dropped the useless piece of shit, Cohosh. The man was supposed to land in the road as a distraction to stop the caravan, instead it hit the roof of the lead car. In his desperation to get Meline back, he nearly killed her. Everything slowed down as he watched the car flip, like he was watching both his life and hers flash before his eyes.
Roc ignored his minor injuries as he frantically looked Meline over. He ran his fingers up her left arm, cringing as he brushed away bits of shattered glass. None of her bones felt broken, but something horrific had happened to her hands. They were covered in blood. He gingerly took hold of her wrists as he examined her delicate fingers.
“It’s not mine. I gouged a man’s eyes out,” she replied, sounding distant.
“Fuck! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen.” The thought of Meline having to defend herself made a panicked feeling grip his chest.
“They killed my parents,” she admitted quietly, her chin quivering as tears welled up in her eyes.
“No!” The way she talked about her parents, they were good, loving people, like his mum. “I’ll kill them all,” he snarled.
Hard as Rock Page 17