Forsaken Hunger

by Nikki McCoy

  “Did I mention Gabriel Aikins is holding your human at one of his facilities? Oh, and her daughter as well.”

  “What?” he roared. A blast of adrenaline shot through his system and shook his entire frame. He curled his hands into fists, using the pain to focus his rage. “Heal me. I’ll get the evidence.” And Gabriel. His uncle had gone too far. Saden was going to make sure he never crossed that line again.

  Scorching, white heat engulfed him as Lucius used his power to accelerate the regeneration of his flesh. Unlike Serrakus who took pleasure in prolonging the agony of the process, Lucius was done in a few heartbeats. Saden swayed afterwards, feeling weak and slightly disoriented.

  Lucius stood and pointed to a pile of clothes and pair of boots next to him. “You’ll need these.”

  Saden forced his trembling limbs to cooperate. The outfit was what he’d been wearing when the warders had come to collect him. He didn’t ask how the Drakonem had found it, or what his intentions were for wanting to include Phoenix. All that mattered was getting to Daneya and Mckenzie. “Do you know where I can find Phoenix?”

  A wide grin spread across Lucius’ face. “He’s at the Amber Heart Opera House.”

  Saden dipped his head, familiar with the location of the building. To his surprise, he caught Demetrius eavesdropping in the corridor outside. Before the Dresidien could bolt, he snatched Demetrius’ arm and turned back to Lucius. “He comes with me.” It was likely the only opportunity he’d have now to keep his promise to the phantom. When Lucius started to argue, he cut him off. “Either he goes or I stay.”

  It wasn’t a gamble, really. The Drakonem had already gone to too much trouble to see this through. Lucius reluctantly placed a hand on Demetrius’ chest to transfer the sliver of his soul. Saden had to clamp onto the terrified phantom while he explained what was going on. No doubt Demetrius associated this with his Drakon initiation. Serrakus wasn’t known for his gentleness during the painful process of linking his soul to that of a new Drakon.

  “I would advise you to hurry,” Lucius said as he lowered his hand. “The clock is ticking.”

  Saden took Demetrius by the wrist and headed farther into the bowels of the dungeon, keeping an eye out for warders. At the end of a dank hallway, he used his power to create a temporal rift. They stepped through the seam in the atmosphere to the back alley of an apartment complex in downtown LA. From the barrage of noise and blush cast to the sky, he figured it was nearing dusk. Normally, he would find a discreet area to change forms in but at this point, he didn’t care who saw them.

  “We need to fly,” he told Demetrius. “Concentrate on the power Serrakus gave you. It should feel like a buzzing sensation on the edge of your consciousness. Imagine it expanding to surround your body. Your molecules will fade and reshape themselves into the form of a dragon. Let the change come naturally.” When the phantom’s dark skin began to dissolve, he said, “Now reach out with your senses and feel my heat. It’s like a signature that differentiates me from every other living being. Lock onto that and follow me up. Got it?”

  Saden altered his own form swiftly and rose up high into the air, waiting to make sure Demetrius had accomplished the change. It didn’t take long for the phantom to adjust to using his new shape. They sped through the skies toward the opera house some distance away.

  At the front of the building, a large crowd divided into two lines was slowly making its way inside. A quick scan of the building’s interior told him there was bustling movement at the back. The night’s performance would be starting soon. Phoenix wasn’t hard to find. His core energy was brighter than the rest due to the ancient Drakonem’s soul within him. From his position, Saden guessed he was somewhere up in the rafters near the stage.

  He circled behind the building and landed close to one of the back access doors. Seconds later, Demetrius performed a graceless hit and roll, cursing as he skinned his palms and knees. Saden pulled him to his feet and guided him to a dumpster, telling him to stay out of sight until he was finished dealing with Phoenix. The last thing he needed was to carry the rookie back to the Drakonem realm because of an unpredictable psychopath.

  Phoenix wasn’t known for playing well with others.

  He aimed a tendril of power at Phoenix’s energy, strong enough to cause a small spark and get the man’s attention. A minute later, the Drakon came through the back door with a knife gripped in one hand.

  Saden raised both of his in a calming gesture. It struck him as bizarre to see the likes of Phoenix in a reputable opera house. The clash of style and culture in the two seemed more at odds than a soccer mom at a BDSM convention. Phoenix had to be there on assignment, although no Drakon in their right mind would risk exposure in such a public place. The man may be volatile, according to the rumors about him, but he was no idiot.

  Phoenix returned the blade to a side harness and crossed his arms over his chest.

  Saden lowered his hands. “I, uh…” Gods, he couldn’t believe he was saying this. “I need your help.”

  Phoenix merely arched his winged brows.

  “I was given twenty-four hours to complete my assignment,” Saden continued. “It’ll involve taking down several figureheads in the house of Vampyres in this area. Since you’re already familiar with my case, I figured you might want in on the collection of criminals. At the very least, you can get in a little bloodshed and win Serrakus’ favor for a while.”

  Phoenix seemed to mull this over then turned to make his way back inside. “Good luck with that.”

  “Wait.” Shit! He may have underestimated the man. “You were right about Daneya. Is that what you want to hear? I should’ve found a safe place for her instead of keeping her with me. My target has her now and I can’t go back to the Drakonem realm until I know she’s out of danger. Gabriel has powerful allies. I won’t be able to bring him down on my own.”

  “Not my problem.”

  The deadpan response set his nerves on edge. “Is it because my target is in league with the Djinn?” he asked through his clenched jaw. “Is that why you won’t help? I should’ve known you have some sick affinity for them. Or maybe the one inside you is pulling all the shots. Made you a weak puppet that can’t think for itself.” His back was slammed against the building in the next instant.

  Fury burned in the depths of Phoenix’s gray eyes, his teeth bared as he leaned in close. “You think I hold love for the Djinn? They’ve taken more from me than you could ever conceive of. How dare you think to pass judgment on me or the Djinn I carry. She’s an innocent—”

  The rest of his sentence was cut off by some inner turmoil twisting his features. Saden’s anger melted in spite of his effort to hold onto it. This wasn’t the first time Phoenix had intimated that the Djinn inside him was different from the rest of its kind.

  Saden had heard that at one time, over a millennium ago, there had been three types of Djinn. Evil, tricksters, and those who were benevolent. When the Vampyres had gone their separate way, however, all of the Djinn had become evil in their quest for revenge.

  Could Phoenix really be housing one that hadn’t been corrupted by greed? The idea was ridiculous and yet there was no deceit in his expression. Only pure rage and…suffering.

  Phoenix shoved himself back with a look of disgust. “You know nothing.”

  As the man stormed away, Saden swallowed his pride and switched tactics. “I’m sorry if I offended you.” Phoenix didn’t stop. Saden was going to lose him if he didn’t think of something fast. “Lucius set me free. It wasn’t Serrakus.” That was enough to make Phoenix pause. “He’s been spying on me. Apparently, he’s got some sort of interest in my story and wants to see it played out. The twenty-four hour release is dependent upon your involvement. For whatever reason, he wants you to help me.”

  The man didn’t move or respond at all. Saden thought about Daneya and Mckenzie as a sliver of panic pierced his chest. “Like I said, I need your help. I’ll beg if I have to.”

  Finally, Phoenix
shifted to face him. His gaze seemed distant, as if he were concentrating on something far away. “All right. You win.”

  Saden frowned, not quite sure it was him Phoenix was talking to. “Excuse me?”

  This time, the man looked directly at him. “Not you, but I will help. What do you want me to do?”

  He let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. “Follow me. I have to check in on a friend first. Demetrius, come out. We’re leaving.”

  The Dresidien walked timidly out from behind the dumpster and wisely steered clear of Phoenix. Saden led them in dragon form to his house. His anger resurged as he landed in the driveway and took in the damage done by the warders. The slanted roofs above and near the garage had been destroyed by the fire. The stone walls of the living room and kitchen areas were still standing, though they appeared more as charred bones than the lovingly crafted frame of the manor.

  Inside, layers of plaster and other debris lay scattered among the antique furniture. Some intact and some beyond salvaging. It would take months to repair the damage. Months he didn’t have thanks to Gabriel’s lies. The only compensating factor was that the property belonged solely to him, and would still be there after the years of his punishment.

  Still, it was devastating to see the work of his father ruined because of him. Just another failure to add to his growing collection.

  Blade stepped out from the hallway leading to the other end of the manor. His mouth dropped open in shock. “Saden? What the hell? I thought Serrakus grounded your ass.” He strode over to Saden and gripped him in a tight embrace. “Damn, it’s good to see you,” he said with a grin.

  “I’m only out on temporary release.”

  “And you’ve brought company.” His face sobered as he took in the pair waiting in the foyer. He walked over to Demetrius and extended a hand. “I take it Saden smuggled you out. I hope there’s no hard feelings between us.”

  The phantom shied away stiffly. Understandable considering Blade was the one who’d brought him in to Serrakus. “He said I could prove myself as a Drakon.”

  “You will,” Saden assured. “What you’re going to do with us will force Serrakus to put you into training to go out in the field. You won’t be his slave anymore.”

  Behind Demetrius’ doubt, Saden saw raw hope in his expression.

  “What about the other one?” Blade asked, jerking his chin at Phoenix.

  Saden explained his deal with Lucius, making sure to add that Phoenix was there doing him a solid. Truth was, he felt a sense of gratitude toward the man. If their roles had been reversed, Saden couldn’t say he would’ve agreed to put his ass on the line for Phoenix.

  “Well, fuck me with a chainsaw. Miracles do happen. Come on, the others are here.” He took them down the hallway to the dining room.

  At the massive oak table sat Roshon, Kent and the three other Rakshasas who’d intervened at Gabriel’s facility. Their geis rested on the floor and the backs of a few chairs around them. A smile lifted the corners of Saden’s mouth, followed by a rush of welcome relief. “What’s going on?”

  Before anyone could answer, the Rakshasas jumped to their feet and drew weapons. All except for Roshon and Kent, who stood with twin looks of disbelief.

  “You bring a Djinn into your own home?” the female shifter sneered to Saden, though her eyes never left Phoenix.

  Roshon inserted himself between Phoenix and his group. “He’s not our enemy here. This is Cai. He was…is my brother.”

  Blade barked in laughter then grunted when Saden backhanded him in the gut. He rubbed the spot and mumbled under his breath, “Damn, man.”

  “Phoenix is doing me the service of being here to help us with Gabriel,” Saden said. “If anyone has a problem with that, they can leave now.” The shifters at the table sat back down, though he had a feeling it was more out of respect for their chief than his authority over the situation. Either way, he didn’t care. So long as everyone kept it together until his job was done.

  Roshon held out a hand to Saden. “It’s good to see you again. Blade found us a few days after you…after what happened. We all agreed to do what we can. Why don’t you get yourself cleaned up and we’ll talk when you’re ready?”

  Saden shook his hand, grateful beyond words. For the chief to put aside the differences in their stations and races spoke volumes about his courage. Any other man might’ve outright refused to have anything to do with Vampyres and their dilemma, whether or not it could potentially affect his clan in the future. With Roshon and his men there, Saden believed for the first time he actually had a chance of pulling off his assignment and rescuing Daneya and Mckenzie.

  “I’ll be outside,” Phoenix said, then turned to leave. It looked as if Roshon wanted to say something but held his tongue.

  Saden took Demetrius upstairs to Daneya’s old room. From the dresser, he pulled out one of her combat outfits and held it up to the phantom. “These might be a little tight but they’ll have to do. You’re too thin for my clothes. You’ll find a bathroom through there. I’ll be back for you shortly.”

  Demetrius grabbed his arm before he could leave, mouth opening and closing before he managed to get out, “Thank you.”

  Saden nodded then left.

  Blade was waiting for him in the hallway and walked with him to the other bathroom. “Brothers. Huh. Who’d have thought Roshon could be related to that?”

  He stripped out of his clothes and started the shower, mindless of his nudity. They’d seen a lot more, and worse, of each other. “You’re talking to the nephew of the bastard who started all of this,” he reminded his friend. “In comparison, I’d say their connection is only mildly disturbing. Makes me wonder if it wasn’t Phoenix who alerted Roshon to our situation in the first place.”

  “Nah, it couldn’t have been,” Blade said, though uncertainty colored his tone. “It was probably Lucius, or his spy. It’s no secret the Drakonem gets his jollies off by meddling in others’ affairs. Granted, this is the first time I’ve heard of him taking an interest in Drakons besides his own. Still, I’d count yourself lucky.”

  Saden didn’t deny that, nor did he trust Lucius’ intentions, regardless of how convenient they were. He would deal with that later, however. The pressure of the water soothed his tight muscles, sloughing away layers of blood, dirt and sweat. Laurs’ whip echoed like a thundering crack in his memory. What he’d endured over the past week was going to seem like a picnic compared to what was in store for him on his return. Laurs would have to compensate for his failure to watch over Saden or end up in a cell himself. The fact that it was Lucius who had gone behind Serrakus’ back wasn’t going to matter.

  Again, Saden cleared his mind.

  “So, about Daneya—” Blade began.

  “Lucius already told me.”

  “He did?”

  “What I don’t know is how Gabriel managed to kidnap her and Mckenzie from a DCM compound. That is where you took them, isn’t it?” He didn’t try to hide the anger in his voice.

  “Yeah, look, I’m sorry,” Blade said falteringly. “They were there when I checked on them a few nights ago. The next morning, they were gone. That Vincent guy damn near tore up the whole compound searching for them. The real kicker is…Cherri had gone missing that same night. Both hers and Daneya’s cars were taken. Somehow, Gabriel was able to lure them all out. I found them at the facility here. Roshon and I were planning to break into it tonight.”

  Saden closed his eyes and tried to block the images crowding his mind. Daneya bound and gagged, helpless against Gabriel’s advances. Mckenzie frightened and alone. Something about Cherri’s absence bothered him. Why had she taken a separate car? Daneya was too smart to split up, let alone risk taking Mckenzie with her for anything less than a direct threat to her family.

  As much as he wanted to race to the facility now and get them free, he knew there was other business to take care of first. The house of Avram would just have to suffer the fallout of losing more than a quarter of
their officials at once. Making Gabriel’s operation known was the only way he could ensure Daneya and Mckenzie’s safety long after he disappeared from this realm again.

  “That’ll have to wait. We need to find an official on that list of buyers for the offspring and force him to confess his association with Gabriel to the Lady Ilsa. Only she has the power and influence to make sure none of this gets swept under the rug by the wrong people on the council.” He finished washing his hair then stepped out to dry.

  Blade cast him a dubious look from the door. “From what I’ve gathered, one of the council members is holding some sort of formal reception at her mansion tonight. I’m sure the Lady Ilsa will be there. Maybe we can follow her afterwards and—”

  “No. We’ll go there and get it done.” Since Serrakus had taken away his ability to track Gabriel, it would be a gamble on whether or not the Vampyre would be at the reception to interfere with their plans

  “And get our asses handed to us,” he said with an incredulous laugh. “In case you haven’t noticed, there are eight of us and one kid who’s probably never held a gun in his life. That mansion is going to be crawling with leisonguardes. Even if we could get to the Lady, she’ll be surrounded by her personal guard. They’re not going to stand by while a group of Drakons and shifters torture one of their own until he confesses.”

  Saden slammed his fist on the sink counter. “Twenty-four hours, Blade! That’s all I have! There’s no time for caution or reconnaissance. Unless you’ve got a better idea, we do this my way.” When no response came, he wrapped a towel around his waist and shoved past Blade to his bedroom.

  The rumpled sheets on the bed made him pause. Daneya’s scent still clung to them faintly, the natural perfume of her body hanging in the air like a cold reminder of what he’d lost. With no small effort, he forced himself to move to his closet where he pulled out a clean set of clothes.