Smoke and Survival (Best Wishes Book 2)

by A. J. Macey

  “I will tonight though,” I reassured him. Knowing Noah was willing to go to Char to scare me was that final push I needed to memorize those numbers. He’s not going to stop until he’s caught… or gets me. I felt sick but being in Alex’s office with my guys helped keep the knot in my chest at bay.

  “Good, hopefully you are able to get some sleep, Lucie.” Alex held open the door for us like he always did as we filed past him and headed to the lobby.

  Bill and Troy were chatting with Jonathon at the desk while he was filing papers. Troy was a bit younger, in his early 20s, and wore his shoulder-length black hair pulled back out of his face in a hair tie. His olive colored skin was warm, sun-kissed glow under the lights while the thick muscles under his shirt strained against the sleeves of his security uniform. Bill was in his early 40s, his pale complexion shiny on top of his head where he had waxed it. He had a stocky build and was shorter than Troy with wider shoulders and chest.

  “Hey Bill, Troy.” I smiled and waved to both as I reached the front desk. They had always been nice to me since that night where the security system in the library went haywire after an update. Smiles were prevalent on their faces as they turned to me.

  “Hey, Luce.” Bill stuck his hand out. Always the handshake man. The calluses on his rough skin encompassed my lean fingers and palm.

  “Lucie! Good to see you all healed up after that shit storm at the dance.” Troy’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me. When he noticed the guys behind me, his smile faltered slightly before sliding back in place, but his eyes no longer sparkled. “And who are these gentlemen?” His voice was cool as he eyed each of my guys.

  “This is Dante, Hudson, Landon, Logan, Cam, and Nik.” I introduced them one by one Vanna White Wheel of Fortune style. I held my arm out for Grigori who had been shuffling down Nik’s arm toward me, ruffling his feathers in irritation at being left out of introductions. I chuckled when he hopped from Nik to me and crawled up to my shoulder. “This is Grigori.” His usual head boop hit my left temple, showing me he was pleased to be considered as special as my guys. He settled when I started to pat his feathered head. Bill greeted my guys warmly with handshakes for everyone, but Troy seemed off-put that they were there.

  “Ready to head out?” Bill questioned when introductions were done. I nodded and waved a goodbye to Jonathon who gave me a wobbly goodnight. The air was cold and the breeze shifted the hair in my low ponytail. I stuffed my hands in my pockets just in time to feel my phone vibrate and ding with a notification. I pulled it out of my pocket to check it and ground my teeth in response.

  Unknown Number: You always look so sexy after your workouts.

  Unknown Number: Don’t think surrounding yourself with freaks will keep you from me.

  Unknown Number: It’s unsanitary to have a bird sitting on your shoulder you know.

  Rage flooded my system, anxiety and panic having no time to take root as I stopped and looked around the mostly empty quad. I didn’t see anyone on the grass, so I focused my attention on the sides of the buildings, doors, trees, and anywhere someone would be able to see me without making it overly obvious. Cam took my phone from my fist after uncurling my fingers from their death grip. I heard him curse as he handed my phone off to Bill and Troy. Refusing to be intimidated again today, I rolled my shoulders back, not even wincing at the sting of my wound, and I held my head high as I continued to stroll down the path to the dorm. He doesn’t own me anymore. Hearing my phone ringing in Bill’s hand, I didn’t have to look to see who it was. Taking it back, I answered and immediately placed it on speaker, my steps stalling. There were no other students near us on the quad to overhear the conversation.

  “What, Noah?” My voice came out flat and bored.

  “Hello, Babygirl, you look sexy when you’re mad.” His voice held a sneer as he addressed me. I rolled my eyes. Can he just take a long walk off a short cliff right now?

  “Cool, now if you’ll excuse me, I have shit to do.” Starting to walk again, I watched several eyebrows raise in surprise from the gaggle of men walking with me.

  “What? Going to go fuck one of your freaks?” I gritted my teeth again at his continued taunting that my guys were freaks. Here he is, chasing after me, who is also a supe. Hypocrite much? I mentally scoffed.

  “Well, they are my boyfriends, so I’ll fuck whoever I want, whenever I want, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” I jeered into the phone, my confidence building from finally talking to him the way I had always wanted to. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have shit to do and men to fuck. Bye.” I sing-songed the farewell and hung up the phone. Silencing it, I slid it into my messenger bag not wanting to hear him call again.

  “Damn, Princess, that was...” Hudson trailed off, and I finally saw all the expressions around me. Raised eyebrows, wide eyes, and surprise blatant on every single one of them.

  “Fucking badass is what it was,” Landon cheered coming out of his stupor. When he threw up his hand for a high five, laughter bubbled out of me as I hit his hand with mine.

  “Or really dumb,” Troy chided, looking at me like a parent that was about to lecture a five-year-old who did something they shouldn’t have. “He is clearly escalating, and we still haven’t gotten him. I called the head of security and the guards on duty, but that might have just pushed him over the edge to do something extreme.” I whipped around to face him, my face contorted with fury at the comment. I was still riding the high of my anger and subsequent freeing feeling of standing up for myself. I didn’t need to be lectured at how dangerous he was.

  “Don’t you dare tell me what I’m up against. I was beaten, manipulated, raped, and nearly killed for four years of my life. I got myself out, and I started over. I finally have my life back, and I will not let him control me anymore regardless of if it’s physically or this psychological warfare bullshit I know he loves. I know it’s your job to keep me safe but keep your patronizing lectures to yourself.” I was breathless at the end of my tirade, the fading adrenaline leaving trembling limbs in its wake. I took a step back and stuffed my hands in my pockets to hide the shaking. I couldn’t stand to see the looks of pity from everyone around the group any longer, so I turned on my heels and continued my walk to the dorms, chastising myself for my outburst the entire way. I hung back to let the guys enter the building ahead of me so I could pull Troy aside. Not wanting to draw attention from the students in the entertainment area right inside the door, I mumbled an apology.

  “I understand, Lucie, I didn’t mean to make it seem like how it came out. I just want to make sure you’re safe.” Unsure of what else to say, I thanked him and headed into the building, exhaustion overshadowing anything else.

  8

  November 9th

  Friday Afternoon

  Lucienne

  The wind was light against my cheeks, but the coldness it carried stung, causing my normally pale skin to become pink. It was odd being in the Kohl stadium while it was empty aside from Benji and me. I was able to hear the calls and shouts clearly from the field even though we were still at least ten rows up.

  The team was working in rotations to practice, the Enforcers and the Raiders alternating on the field to work through miscellaneous traps. The Enforcers focused on defending their castle and other players, while the Raiders practiced how to get from one end of the field to the other where the opposing team’s flag was located. The only players who were on the field the entire practice so far were the Guardian—a lean muscled guy with long dreads that were pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck—wearing a number ‘20’ jersey, and Dante, who practiced with each part of the team. He was in his element on the field, and his ability to convey directions and solve problems—especially under pressure—blew me away.

  “What are they doing there?” I directed my question to Benji, my chin jutting out toward a set of moving stone steps. The moving slabs reminded me of the same set that was used in the first Kohl game I had watched. Dante, as well as three Raiders
, were in a huddle at the base of the obstacle. Benji’s eyes lit up as he looked toward them. He had been unbelievably happy last night when I’d asked if he’d want to watch their practice, and his squeal of excitement had made my ears ring. His perceptive eyes scanned the field before turning to me.

  “It looks like Mia, the one with the wings”—a pale finger pointed toward a girl with black hair and a ‘17’ on her maroon practice jersey—“is going to fly Rick up to the first step while Alexa, the redhead, attempts to slow the obstacle’s movement to allow him to get to the suspended bridge.” I watched closely, trying to keep their numbers, hair colors, and names straight as I observed. Benji had been right, Alexa, number 12, stood braced on the turf as Mia’s taupe-colored wings carried her and Rick toward the first step. Rick dropped, landing in a roll as Mia continued to fly toward the other side of the field. Benji’s voice caught my attention as he continued talking. “Alexa’s the co-captain and a witch. Rick is a tiger shifter, and he has enhanced senses and agility even when he isn’t shifted. See how he’s able to move from one slab to the next?”

  I was enraptured by the display on the stone steps, when the other two Raiders caught my attention, their coordinating movements looking like a dance. A violent dance, but still. Number 18 was punching his way through heavy objects being launched at him like they were nothing while player ‘19’ was… Did his arm just lengthen? His limbs continued to grow, stretch, and maneuver around twisting ivy vines that attempted to attach themselves to the two supes.

  “That’s Lincoln and Zane, they’re brothers. Zane’s the one who’s turning those things to dust in ‘18’, and Lincoln is the Mr. Fantastic down there in ‘19’.” Benji turned his pink-tinged face toward me, his light brown eyes sparkling. “I’m having fun, thanks for bringing me.” I wrapped my left arm around his thin waist as the weight of his arm settled on my shoulders. In his very Benji fashion, his phone appeared, the front camera on and waiting to take our picture. Our cold faces were reflected in his phone’s screen, large smiles appearing right before the clicking of the shutter sounded.

  “Of course. As much as I like watching the game with everyone, I feel like I really understand it when I’m with you,” I explained quickly, my arm squeezing him while he tucked his phone away. “If that makes any sense,” I tacked on the end, realizing I was being emotionally rambly.

  “Yes, it does. We should go see one of the professional games sometime when they’re in Seattle.”

  “Oh, yes!” I exclaimed before changing topics. “So, how’s it been lately? We haven’t had some just Lucie/Benji time in a hot minute,” I prompted. As soon as I asked, he seemed to perk up even more before launching into a cheery response.

  “It’s been so good lately. Austin has been thinking of possibly enrolling here since he’s been able to save up enough from working at the mechanic and body shop, so that would be really exciting. We’ve even talked about moving in together if he does, although it probably won’t be until the summer semester so he can save up enough to have a nice cushion for us. He’s always been that money conscious responsible type,” Benji gushed, his hands waving in front of him as he talked.

  “That’d be awesome,” I agreed. “Any idea what he wants to study? You still looking into writing?” I added, randomly remembering that he was taking a lot of English composition and literature classes with the hope to write a book while working as an English professor. I knew I wouldn’t ever be able to teach anything, too much anxiety with being up in front of a crowd, but I’d noticed Benji slowly crawling out of that shy exterior over the last few months, finally growing into that social butterfly he wanted to be.

  “Austin could do whatever he wanted with his telepathy, so I think he’s just going to decide after he gets a feel for classes and everything. As for me, I’m hoping so, but this freaking Shakespeare class might just kill the plan for me. I mean, it is absolutely awful,” he whined. “If I can make it through, then that is still the plan. What about you? Any ideas yet of what you want to do?”

  “Hm,” I hummed, trying to rattle my brain for an idea, but still came up blank. How could I pick what I want to do when I’m still learning how to be a supe? “I could follow in my mom’s footsteps and be a baker, maybe have Nik teach me some potions or whatever to put in them. You know, like a sleeping tart, stress less cupcake, or an energizing breakfast bar.”

  “Can I be the taste tester?” Benji asked brightly. He bounced excitedly in his seat causing me to laugh, but I couldn’t deny him with that enthusiasm.

  “Of course,” I assured, nudging his shoulder. A quick tinkling jingle signified his alarm going off meaning he needed to go get ready for his date with Austin. Hugging me quickly, he shifted to stand.

  “You stay safe, I don’t want to have to go all Kitsune on anyone’s ass, got it?” he commanded, his lips twitching in a poor attempt not to laugh. I nodded, a chuckle bubbling up at the image of his little double-tailed fox form attempting to stop anyone. With a final wave, he was off, jogging quickly up the steps toward the entrance of the stadium, leaving me to meet Dante and the twins down on the field on my own.

  Leisurely paced, I walked down the rows toward the turf. The entire team stood in a group on the field, and I glanced at the time on my phone. Their practice should be over shortly. The iciness of the railing bit through my coat sleeves bringing goosebumps and a single shiver to my body as I waited for them to finish talking. I didn’t have to wait long before the majority of the team went to the locker rooms, Dante and my twins splitting off to make their way to me instead.

  “Hey, Firecracker.” Dante’s tanned face was coated in a thin layer of sweat, his hair glistening in the afternoon sun. I dipped down, my face only a few inches higher with me standing on the steps. “But I’m all sweaty,” he protested, leaning away from me. I scoffed, grabbing his jersey tightly and yanking him to me. His lips crashed against mine, molding to me when he realized I wasn’t letting go until he kissed back. After a few moments, I released him. His eyes were half-lidded and dazed with heat as he stared up at me.

  “I don’t care if you’re sweaty,” I murmured, a soft smile curling my lips. Landon hopped up and down excitedly, his blackened blood red eyes sparkling when I turned to him. His calloused hands tangled in my hair, giving a soft tug at the roots as he kissed me fiercely before stepping back. Logan took his place, his languid and unhurried kiss a direct contrast to his twin’s. Running the back of his fingers against my cheek, the naughty daemon nipped my lower lip sharply when he pulled away. An unintentional whimper sounded in my throat, and his smile became absolutely sinful, knowing full well what he did to me. Damn naughty daemons and handsome shifters, I need a cold shower, I thought, desire pulsing in my lower belly. Heat thrummed through my body despite the cold weather.

  “Come on, Lemon Drop, let’s go wait in the locker room common area and out of the cold.” Landon motioned for me to hop over the fence. Stepping up, I swung a leg over before Dante’s large hands snatched me off the chain link. He grabbed my hand and pulled me in the direction of the locker room area, the soft turf of the field sinking under my boots. Our pace was slow going, so slow in fact, that the twins burst past us in a race, their shouted obscenities echoing in the empty stadium. I couldn’t help but laugh when Logan jumped on Landon’s back causing him to stumble.

  The twins were panting, slouched on one of the couches in the team’s common room when we walked in. My eyes flitted around the room quickly taking in the spacious area. Couches and chairs were scattered in clusters much like the library and common areas of the dorms. There were two doors, one to the men’s locker room and the other to the women’s. A small kitchenette with a fridge, sink, microwave, and a couple of cabinets stood between the two doors.

  “Have a seat, Firecracker. Do you want something to drink or nibble on?” Dante’s deep melodic voice caught my attention as he directed me to a chair across from the twins.

  I’d like to nibble on you, I thought as I sho
ok my head silently.

  “All right, if you get thirsty, there’s water, energy drinks, stuff like that in there.” He gestured to the stainless-steel appliance before continuing, “I’m going to shower real quick.” After a quick kiss, he strode into the appropriate room, leaving me with the twins, both of whom had that mischievous glint in their eyes as they stared at me. My eyes narrowed at them, the little smirks they wore making me suspicious of what they were thinking of doing. Thankfully, the boys’ locker room opened, interrupting Landon as he opened his mouth. The tiger shifter and the Guardian of the team exited before they spotted us seated in the common area. Making their way over, they nodded to the twins before the Guardian stuck out his hand first, his teeth bright against his dark skin.

  “Hey, I’m Titus,” he introduced himself, his skin calloused and rough against my palm as he gripped it lightly and stepped back.

  “Lucie, it’s nice to meet you,” I responded. Somehow my voice stayed steady despite my nerves I felt radiating through me.

  “Rick.” The tiger shifter stuck his hand out next. His eyes caught my attention and I couldn’t look away. They were bright gold, the pupils in a cat-like slit. It took me by surprise when I noticed there were flecks of orange, red, and even some light green.