by Mary Abshire
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't beat yourself up over it. They knew the risks. Jeremy was always good at explaining that part of any mission." He tilted sideways and gazed behind me. "How is the demon?"
I curled my arm around his large muscle, then nudged him closer to Jeremy. Being so close to the werewolf made my skin twitch even more. I ignored the sensation and brought him to a halt near Jeremy's shoulder. Together, we looked at our demon friend. Eyes closed, he looked so peaceful.
"They wrapped his head pretty good," Ryan said. "Looks like they shaved some hair, too. He's not going to be happy about that."
"They had to perform surgery two days ago to reduce the swelling in his brain," I said.
"Is he in an induced coma?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, they had to."
Ryan faced me. "Was it from the fights? I saw a replay of the game. He took a beating that second time."
"I think the fighting just made matters worse. We'd run into some vampires at his house. He went inside first and tried to take on both vamps."
"Jesus…"
"He had a pretty big gash on the back of his head. A demon friend of his stitched it up. When we met after the game, I noticed the stitches had torn and his wound appeared swollen. He looked bad, Ryan. Real bad. I knew something was wrong." I looked away from him to Jeremy.
"He'll recover," Ryan said. "You'll see."
Although his kind words were meant to give me hope, they didn't. Jeremy's condition hadn't changed much since the surgery. I'd been feeding him power in little intervals, but I couldn't see any difference in him. The only good news from the doctors had been he didn't seem to need a ventilator and his organs weren't shutting down. Maybe I had helped him in some small way.
"What did the doctors say?" Ryan asked.
"The prognosis looks good, but the swelling isn't going down as quickly as they'd like. That's why he's still in a coma," I said.
"He's a fighter. He'll come back."
I rested my chin on his shoulder. "Thank you for coming."
"We have a long history together, Jeremy and I. He may not be wolf, but he's still like a brother to me." He shifted his attention to me and I let go of his arm. He took my hands into his. "And you're like a sister. But your hair looks horrible."
I chuckled. "He hates it too."
"I'm not surprised," he said, grinning. "So, where have you been all these years?"
"Let's sit down," I said, and guided him toward the small sofa in the back.
For the next twenty minutes, I brought him up to speed from when we'd last seen each other in Alaska. I explained what happened with Drake, how I'd survived over the years, and the recent intel from Anton several nights ago. I also informed him about the deaths of my two friends, as well as the bargain I'd made with Jeremy.
"Tell me you didn't," he said. "He wants you to bear his children?"
"I knew he was the only person who could help me get what I wanted. I tried to negotiate, but he threw me out of his house."
"He threw you out?" he asked in a low tone that sounded as if he didn't believe me.
"I slept outside near his door."
Ryan shook his head. "I knew he missed you over the years. Every time I'd mention your name, he'd get quiet, then change the subject. Now that you came back, he doesn't ever want to let you go."
I inhaled deeply and looked at Jeremy's immobile body. "Yeah, well, I have a lot of time to think lately."
"Think about what?" Ryan asked.
I peered past him to make sure the door was shut. It was.
"I'm thinking of breaking my deal with him," I said.
Ryan shook his head. "Why, Jessie?"
"Because he can't fulfill his end. Part of the deal was he would help me free Drake. Obviously, he can't do that in his condition."
He ran his fingers through his bangs, then over his head. "Do you realize the consequences of breaking a deal with a demon, especially that demon?" He tilted his head in Jeremy's direction.
"I know it's not good. He could demand more from me if he survived, but I don't have much left to give him. Besides, it won't matter anyway."
"What do you mean?" he asked with a hint of skepticism. "What are you planning?"
I clasped my hands together in my lap. "I want to leave and go after Drake by myself."
His face started to turn a light red shade. "No. Absolutely not. You would be committing suicide."
"Jeremy warned me people would die. I thought I could handle it, but I can't. I've lost friends. Jeremy is close to knocking on death's door. Innocent people have died trying to help me. I have enough guilt that I will carry with me forever. I don't need anymore."
"Then stay and wait until Jeremy recovers," Ryan said. "He'll come up with a plan."
"A plan that involves a lot of people. More lives in jeopardy. His life too. If I go, it's just me who ends up dead. Possibly."
"If you walk in there, they won't let you out," Ryan said in strong tone.
"I know that."
He shook his head again. "I don't like it. And I know with certainty he wouldn't let you go." He pointed to Jeremy.
"He's in a coma. If the swelling doesn't go down…" I shook my head. "I've waited three years—"
"Then at least give him a few weeks," Ryan said with a hint of irritation in his voice.
"Say I do, and he's still in a coma."
"Then wait longer."
I lowered my gaze. "Leaving alone is the right thing to do."
"Do you really think you can walk into that Fort and they will release Drake?"
I looked up. "I don't know. He gave up everything for me. I have to try."
He clamped his jaw and huffed. "What if I can get you some help?"
"No way." I shook my head. "I don't want anyone else dying for me."
"You will not walk away from that place," he said with strong emphasis. "They will kill you or they will keep you a prisoner until your last breath." The sternness of his tone revealed his genuine concern for me.
I took one of his hands into mine. "I'm prepared to do this. I know the cost. If I stay here, he may not recover. And if he does, then more people die trying to help me. I'd rather go alone."
"Give him a week. At the very least, stay with him that long," Ryan said. "Don't you think he's earned that much from you?"
The werewolf hit a soft spot in my heart. I looked at Jeremy and listened to the machine beeping. Sure, he was a strong-willed demon. His bones could heal and he could set fires with his touch. But his body was still made of flesh and blood. He was just as vulnerable as the rest of us.
"I'll stay for a little while," I said, and small grin formed on his face.
I'd waited three years, so a few more days wouldn't matter. But if I stayed longer, Ryan would find a way to stop me from leaving. While I sincerely hoped Jeremy would pull through, if he hadn't shown much effort in a couple of days, then I held little faith he would ever fully heal.
Chapter Thirteen
Waiting for Jeremy to recover was taking a toll on me. Sighing, I sat in the chair at his side, holding his hand. The machine continued to show his steady heartbeat while the IV connected to his arm fed him fluid. I'd fed him my strength a couple times a day. The doctors had remarked how his fractured skull had healed so well it appeared there'd never been a break. But the swelling in his brain hadn't gone down much and that concerned them. They weren't ready to take him out of the drug-induced coma just yet.
Alone in the room, I drew the infinity symbol on the back of his hand. "I know you're going to hate me for leaving, but it's the right thing to do."
The machine beeped at the normal rate.
I continued swirling my finger over his heated skin. "I'm sorry for putting you through this. I don't want to hurt you anymore. You deserve better."
I slipped my hand away from his and stood. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow on the other side of the room. Since the hour was getting late, I suspected Ryan would show soon. It h
ad been two days since we'd had the long talk. After that day, the werewolf appeared in the evenings. We'd spend time chatting, then he'd drag me to the cafeteria a few times for food. He was determined to get me to eat. I obliged his wishes and nibbled on a few items, but too much food made me nauseous.
The click from the door gathered my attention. Shawn walked in with a kind smile. He wore dark jeans and a leather jacket over an olive-green shirt.
"How are you holding up?" he asked.
Staring into his eyes, I wanted to tell him the truth. I'd spent enough time feeding Jeremy my energy and waiting for him to recover. Nothing had changed much. I hated to admit it, but I doubted his injury would heal anytime soon.
"I'm…okay," I said.
"That looked like it took some thought." He took my hand and pulled me to the sofa. After he took a seat, so did I. "Tell me what's on your mind."
I lowered my gaze while I debated if I should ask for his help. In order to get to France, I needed funds. To acquire funds, I'd have to make a deal. Since I had little to offer, I doubted a demon would bargain with me. Yes, I'd thought a lot about this over the last couple of days.
"Spill the beans," Shawn said, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Okay…" I rubbed my palms over my thighs. "First, did you know Jeremy and I really aren't married?"
He nodded. "He told a few of us.”
"And did he tell you the reason for questioning the vampires?"
"I know the truth, so you can talk freely with me. The wolves think Drake is your brother and that's why you want to save him. Ryan knows everything, too, of course."
Thankful I didn't have to explain my entire story, I went straight to the point. "I need to get to Alderney, France, but I don't have money to buy a ticket. And I don't have a passport."
His eyes widened. "You can't be seriously thinking about going by yourself. That's crazy."
"Jeremy's not getting better. And I don't want anyone else risking their life for me. I know I'm walking into a trap, but at least it would be just me."
He scratched his cheek. He hadn't shaved in a few days and a nice overgrowth had developed. "Jeremy wouldn't want this."
"Jeremy's condition may not improve," I argued. When he said nothing more, I added, "I'm not asking for you to go with me. I just need money and a passport to get me there."
"If I help you and he does recover…"
Feeling glum, I looked away from him. Even in a coma, Jeremy carried a lethal impression among his friends. I'd never be able to talk one of them into helping me.
Shawn placed his hand on my forearm. Heat quickly spread over my flesh. "I have an idea that may work."
He had my attention. "I'll be honest, I don't have anything I can offer in return."
"You can owe me a favor."
"Owe you? But I may not survive—"
"Then you owe me in a different life."
I pressed my lips together, unsure if his terms were acceptable. Jeremy had an ancient soul and had jumped bodies. Most demons did come back. But I had no prior memories or experiences. I wasn't sure my soul could move around the way other demons did, especially since I didn't go through the ceremony on my thirteenth birthday. But maybe now wasn't the best time to mention that if I wanted to get France.
"Okay, I'll owe you a favor," I said.
"Here's what we'll do…We'll both go to France and—"
"Shawn—"
"Hear me out first," he said as he held up his hand.
I gave him a nod.
"We both go, but I won't follow you inside," he said. "I'll make sure you get there, then stay back and check the place out."
"I can tell you now, the Fort I'm going to is an extension of island with only one road in and out. At high tide, the Fort is cut off from the mainland. There's no cell phone reception, but they do have satellite TV. The walls of the Fort are made of thick concrete since it was built in the eighteen hundreds."
"Wow," he said.
"Yeah, it's impressive and also very secluded. But it has a nice view of the sea."
"I should check it out and maybe stick around for a bit," he said.
"Shawn, I don't want you coming after me. Under no circumstances—"
He held up his palm again. "I won't go in alone."
Disliking his tricky words, I pressed my lips together. "Anyone who goes in after me has a strong chance of not surviving to see the next day. That's why I don't want others coming for me."
"How about I gather information and send it back to Jeremy?" His question sounded more like a statement.
I crossed my arms. "Jeremy has been to the Fort. He knows what it's like."
"I'm offering to get you there. Can't you at least let me hang around outside for a little while?" His lips hinted at a small grin.
Seeing how my options were limited, I decided it was best give him what he wanted.
"Okay, but stay away from the Fort," I said sternly. "They'll smell your scent if you're too close."
"Hey now, I shower every day."
I half chuckled. "This has to remain a secret. Nobody else can know. And I want to leave tomorrow, during the day."
His brows arched. "That soon?" He blew out a puff of air, then looked at Jeremy.
"If I don't go now, Ryan will try to stop me. It's now or never."
"I'll have to put a rush order in for a passport, but I think I can get one." Gaze fixed on Jeremy, he stood.
I rose next to him. "Do we have a deal?"
He looked at me and held out his hand. I clasped it.
"Jeremy thinks the world of you. He'll have my balls and my soul for doing this," he said, shaking my hand.
I lessened my grip. "Are you sure you want to then?"
"Oh, I'm okay. I'll figure things out. I always do. I mean, if my soul returns in a eunuch's body, you'll know why."
I laughed that time. Although the reality of the situation was frightening, I was glad he found some humor to keep the mood lively.
A click from the door collected our attention. Ryan walked in carrying a white bag. A greasy hamburger smell reached my nose.
"Am I interrupting?" he asked.
"No," I said.
Shawn gently tapped my harm. "Patrick will be here shortly. Try to get some rest."
"Thanks," I said, then he left.
Ryan looked at Jeremy, then me. Smiling, he held up the white bag. "Let's eat."
Chapter Fourteen
I strode from the bedroom, dressed in jeans and a thin gray sweater, feeling clean and refreshed. Ryan was sitting on the sofa with his legs kicked up on the coffee table. His hotel suite was spacious and luxurious with a garden tub, which I enjoyed a bit of time relaxing in while the color settled into my locks. Ryan turned his head as I approached. His eyes lit up. Smiling, he lowered his feet.
"Now you're looking more like yourself," he said. "Dark hair suits you well. Add twenty pounds and you'll look even better."
I grinned as I sat in the chair next to him. "I don't think I can thank you enough for getting me a change of clothes and letting me use your bathroom to clean up."
"You needed to get away from the hospital for a little while."
Bent over, I scooted my tennis shoes over, then put them on my feet. "Yeah, cleaning up at the hospital doesn't compare to taking a shower."
"I'm glad I could help you out. I'm sure Jeremy will appreciate the change too, when he wakes up."
I ran my fingers through my damp locks. The dye I'd used was a bit darker than my true color, but it was better than being blonde. I'd decided to change the shade because if I was going to die or be held hostage for the rest of my life, I wanted to look as close to my ordinary self as possible.
Sighing, I rose from my seat. "You've been a great friend. Even after everything I've put you through."
He chuckled and rubbed his temple. "Yeah, you got me pretty good back in Alaska. I still can't believe you knocked me out. Thank goodness no one knows about that. It would ruin me."
/> "The secret is in the vault," I said as I headed to the other chair at the opposite end of the coffee table. I grabbed my black vest, then slid my arms through the holes.
"Ready to head back?" he asked.
"Yeah, I feel like I've been gone too long." I tugged on the zipper.
Ryan collected the hotel card and car keys from the table. "If you change your mind and want to spend a night here, just let me know. I can book you a room."
"I appreciate the offer," I said on my way to the exit.
"Sleeping on that cheap seventies sofa has to be uncomfortable." He tugged on the handle of the door.
"It's okay. I had to stay in my car a lot over the last couple of years. I'm used to sleeping in uncomfortable places."
From his hotel suite, we headed to his rental car. It was an SUV with all the fancy bells and whistles, including heated seats. I didn't utilize them, but Ryan commented how nice they were while he drove to the hospital. Snow fell at a steady rate. I enjoyed watching the flakes fall. It reminded me of Alaska.
"Oh, here," he said, pulling me from my wintery reflection. He stretched out his left leg, then withdrew a phone from his pocket. "Take this."
I took the cell from his hand. "What's this for?"
"It's for you to use."
"I already have a phone."
"That cheap piece of junk with the broken screen should be trashed."
I pressed my lips together as I stared at the shiny cell. My prepaid one had taken a hit when the vampire punched me. The display broke and the volume was permanently silenced, but the rest of it functioned.
"You didn't need to buy me a new phone," I said.
"Please, take it."
I slid it into the right pocket of my vest. "Thank you. I feel like you’re my Daddy Warbucks since you keep buying me things."
"Alan has treated me well over the years. He has two kids now. Did you know that?" He took his eyes briefly off the road and glanced at me.
I stared forward out the window. "I had read an article he got married and had some children. I'm glad he finally was able to settle down and start a family."
The Alpha deserved to be happy. He was the most generous man I'd met and I'd always heard praise for him, except for the fiend who wanted to get away with murdering people and take control of the company. I’d put his soul in his rightful place after Alan beat him in a werewolf challenge.
