Mask

by Jan Irving

  Obsidian: They were gone, yes! I assumed they’d left since our business was...consummated. Moonbeam: What if what nearly happened last night to me, also went down with them? What if that thing came and—

  Obsidian: I don’t want you to be alone! Not for a second, Nick, promise me. Moonbeam: I won’t be. Gotta go. Gotta meet someone. Obsidian: Who?

  Moonbeam: Don’t be jealous.

  Obsidian: I am not jealous! But someone did stalk you last night.

  Moonbeam: Of course not. We’ll call it “slightly possessive”. And don’t growl, Kain. Obsidian: :growls: Who is it you’re meeting?

  Moonbeam: Someone who can help us...

  Obsidian: NOT that fucker Siren!

  Moonbeam: Moonbeam has left the room.

  Obsidian: Nick! I’ll spank your pleasantly round and interfering ass red if you—! FUCK! Obsidian: Obsidian has left the room.

  NICK leaned his art portfolio against the brick wall outside the fine arts building. The wind was cold, like chilly fingers trying to get under his coat, so he raised his collar, shivering, trying not to flash back to the night before and the chilly breath that had run through the house when a stalker hunted him and Kain.

  Speaking of which, Kain would not like him waiting out here, after dark, but they had to be free of this mystery. He was yanked against a hard body, a hand covering his mouth. He bit down savagely.

  “Ow! Fuck!” Siren released him. “You didnt have to bite so hard!”

  Nick quirked a brow. “Nice, coming from a warrior fey. Arent you supposed to be tough?” “ But not impervious to pain!” Siren was sucking the edge of his hand. “I did some investigating of Dr. Armand Leyland, as you asked. Hes doesnt have a home address and hes not a registered physician. Not in this state, not in any of the neighboring ones.”

  “ So he could have something to do with whats been happening to Kain!” Nick reached out and gripped Sirens arm, hoping that finally hed hit on a real clue.

  A little smile played over Siren s lips. “Maybe, but didnt you say he rescued you from the revenant? I think it more likely he was the one who cut off Marks head.”

  “What if… he was somehow connected to what made Mark the way he was?” “ Its possible if hes another warrior fey or a revenant who can mask his appearance, like your friend Mark did. In fact, its very strange that a newly made revenant like Mark would have that knowledge. It points to him being someones pawn.” Siren shrugged. “I have my people out looking for him.”

  “ Thanks. I want to speak with him again. He mentioned Ross, so Ive been wondering what his game is.” Nick chewed his lip. “I also want to know where the fuck Finn is and why he drugged Kain!”

  “ One mystery at a time, kitten.” Siren pulled out a Blackberry and tapped it for a few seconds. “Ill see what I can do, but in return….” His voice drawled off suggestively.

  “ Im not fucking you.” Nick rolled his eyes.

  Siren blinked in surprise. “Why would you assume I—?” “Just a feeling.”

  Siren shrugged, reaching out to push a long swatch of Nicks hair behind his ear. “Ill settle for another bite.” “ What?” Nick laughed. “But you said you didnt like it!” “Bite my neck. Trust me; Ill like it.”

  Nick gave Siren a doubtful look.

  “Fine. Tell Kain I hope he manages to handle this on his own.” “Okay!” Nick swallowed. “But close your eyes first.” Siren leaned against the building and obediently shut his eyes.

  Nick studied him uncertainly before looking around and seeing they were alone. He shifted closer to Siren, heart pounding. If Kain found out hed done this!

  He decided to get it over with quickly, instinctively going for the same place Kain bit him, pushing back Sirens silk shirt, his lips brushing against the strong neck.

  Siren shuddered, hand snaking out to bury itself in Nicks hair as Nick bit down gently. “ Break the skin!”

  “I….” Nick bit harder, hearing Siren give a sensual gasp. And then his own vision blurred.

  He saw himself and Siren in a bedroom. Siren ’s wrists were tied to the four-poster bed and he was also gagged with a black silk handkerchief. His muscular ass was high and waiting like an offering as Nick climbed on the bed behind him.

  As if waiting for his orders, Nick glanced at a shadowy figure sitting on a wing chair. Fingers waved languidly, giving Nick permission.

  Cock hard and ready, Nick licked his lips and pulled the black mesh of his thong off his sex. Without preamble, he shoved into Siren, who made a muffled sound of need.

  And then he was humping him, hands running over silky skin undulating with muscle, reveling in his control over the beautiful blackhaired fey—

  Nick fell away from Siren. “What the fuck was that?” Siren flushed. “Uh. Just one possible future.”

  “You like being submissive?”

  “Quiet! Do you want the entire city to hear you, boy?” Sirens normally serene eyes sparked annoyance. “And no, its not that simple.” “That’s why you wanted Kain the night of the fire?”

  Siren played with the cuffs of his long leather duster. “He wont have anything to do with me.”

  “No, he wont,” Nick agreed. “Why do you keep what you want a secret?” “ Only an Alpha fey can rule the city,” Siren said simply.“Archaic. Just because I sometimes, under special circumstances, like it up the ass doesnt make me weak.”

  Nick smiled in perfect understanding. “No, it doesnt.”

  FINN curled up in what had been a bathroom in the fire-gutted building. Wind tore through boarded-up windows, touching the fresh lumps of bruises. He lay in the fetal position, shivering, despite his long legs aching with the need to stretch.

  The door creaked open and a shadow fell.

  Luke. Is that you, Lu—? NICK looked up from his ceramics class, elbow deep in red clay, to glimpse Samuel lingering at the open doorway to the studio. He immediately recognized him as the intense young man who worked for Siren.

  Heart picking up, he scrubbed the worst of the mess off his hands and headed for the hallway.

  Maybe he would finally have some good news for Kain and they could put this stuff behind them.

  SAMUEL folded his arms, eying Nick. “ What?” Then Nick considered the vibe between Samuel and Siren. “Nothing really happened between me and your boss,” he clarified.

  “ Please, what do I care what he does? Hes the biggest slut in this city,” Samuel said in disgust, but Nick caught the live wire of pain buried in Samuels dismissal. He didnt want to, but he obviously did care about Siren.

  “Good thing. Can you imagine if you hooked up? Hed be Samuels Siren.”

  A smile barely touched Samuels lips, his spaniel-brown eyes warming slightly. “If I ever make a move, he will be.” “ Whoa,” Nick said, eyes widening. Samuel might play the role of Sirens servant, but he had a feeling it would be a different story if they ever got as far as the bedroom—or any accommodating surface.

  Samuel was a strange combination: pale hair, dark eyes, and a secret fire burning. Siren had no idea what he was toying with. “ We cant find Dr. Armand Leyland anywhere. Its like hes a ghost…. Just traces,” Samuel said. “But we did find someone else. Someone who was living on Kains land up until recently.”

  Nick frowned. “You mean Finn? Id like to talk to him, find out what the fuck is going on! He drugged Kain.”

  Samuel shook his head. “No. Not Finn.”

  “INTERESTING.” Nicks finger grazed the carving of an antelope in

  Luke Munroes apartment.

  “Its a Chi—”

  “Chiwara, I know. A carving of the antelope used for rituals in Mali.” “ Very good, cher.” Luke eyed Nick, pushing back his bronze hair so a dragon tattoo flashed on one bicep, dark eyes narrowed on Nicks face. “Im impressed.”

  “ You sound like one of my professors.” Nick gave a wry smile. “Id really like to understand how you ended up a captive on Kains land. Id swear he had no idea! Was it Finn again?” Nicks eyes narrowed.


  “ Well….” Luke cleared his throat, as it was still raspy from his captivity. “Its slightly embarrassing.” He stretched his tall frame, which was too thin.

  Samuel had told Nick that if they hadn t found the shape-shifter wandering the woods near campus the night theyd been nosing around for Kain, Luke might have died; hed been starved and delirious, searching frantically for Finn.

  “ I know youre a shifter. Maybe start there since Samuel told me that much. May I sit down?” Nick propped his leather portfolio by the door.

  Luke nodded wearily. “Im not sure I could stop you if I wanted to at the moment, cher.” His mouth firmed. “But shifters heal quickly and I am especially motivated.”

  Nick sat down on a couch with a fire-red throw made of mohair. It looked like something else Munroe may have picked up in his travels. Obviously this had been his home base for a while. “Lets start with your interest in Kain.”

  Luke shrugged.“Im not, not especially. He was just Finns employer. For a while I wondered if they were something more….” His dark eyes flashed.

  Nick held up a palm. “Finn told me himself that theyd never gotten that far. They are just friends.”

  Luke made a growling sound that seemed to penetrate Nicks flesh and make his bones vibrate. Primal.

  “So youre his Alpha, the man Finn is in love with.” Unexpectedly, Luke s eyes filled. He turned away sharply and Nick realized that in his debilitated condition, he was probably revealing more to a stranger than a proud man would be comfortable with.

  He went to the small galley kitchen and poured a glass of water, returning to hand it to Luke silently.

  Luke drank it, eyes holding Nicks. “Finn still feels that way?” “Yes,” Nick answered gently. “I think not a day goes by that he doesnt think of you.”

  Luke closed his eyes tightly. “I meant to let him go; he was too young for the kind of commitment I needed.” “ Becoming your human submissive.”

  Luke nodded.

  “But you, you werent too young to bond with him?”

  “ Youre very wise, cher,” Luke noted. “I needed to know he was safe. I let him go and it was like… removing a part of myself. I followed him to this city and tried not to kill any man he slept with.”

  “Hes not too young for you now.” “ No. I was going to get in touch with him again when he began acting strangely. I tried to talk to him one night and thats when he tricked me.”

  “Finn?”

  Luke shook his head. “The monster that holds him enthralled. I think it can change its shape, but its almost certainly a revenant.” Nicks face twisted. “Like Mark. If it looks like Mark, it would have to be able to hide its appearance.” Luke nodded. “I taught Finn how to disguise himself, take on the appearance of another. Its just a simple glamour. I think maybe the thing forced him to share this knowledge.”

  “This revenant has been killing for months and using Finn to make Kain think he was responsible.” Luke nodded. “I want to feel its neck under my teeth, but first I must find Finn, make him safe.” Lukes fists balled. “Im so fucking weak, but Finn… hes my earth fae.”

  “ I think the revenant also stalked Kains friend Ross, turned him against Kain. Whoever is behind this wants some kind of revenge against Kain. Wanted to take everything from him.”

  Lukes eyebrows rose. “Finn got caught up somehow.” Nick leaned forward, elbows pressing over a National Geographic on Lukes coffee table. It seemed to center around wolf packs, which struck him as fitting for a shifters apartment. “Just to be clear on one thing: hes not going to hurt Finn.”

  “Im sorry?” Luke blinked. “ Kain. Hed rather die than hurt a hair on Finns head. He hasnt admitted it to me, but I think hes found the idea of Finn betraying him damn near unbearable. He doesnt let people close easily.”

  “ Nick, youre obviously emotionally involved, so how can I trust you? I cant let Kain hurt Finn. I didnt let Finn bond to me, but I was unable resist bonding myself to him. If he falls….”

  “ Luke.” Nick climbed to his feet, touched Lukes arm. The skin was chilly to the touch. He looked into Lukes shadowed eyes, trying to reach him.

  “He wakes me up, you know?”

  “Where you live, I know,” Nick agreed.“Kains not a sentimental man, but his actions….” “ Okay.” Lukes shoulders slumped. “What we need to do now is figure out where Finn might be. Um. Want some tea? Ive been drinking some homeopathy shit to bring up my body temperature somewhere normal.”

  Nick shook his head. “Help yourself. You know, I keep going back to the night of the fire in Kains apartment. So much went down that night. Kain changed and was marked. His best friend wrote him off and….” Nick mused. “Someone died.”

  KAIN leaned against the low-slung body of his green sports car. All he wanted was to find Nick, drag him home, protect him, but when he raised his gloved hand, it was trembling. He clenched it into a fist.

  Manners had hammered him over and over again, no doubt for the prestige of solving the serial murder case, but Kain couldnt remember. He hoped to God he hadnt hurt anyone but—

  Was Nick right? Was Finn somehow tied up in this? His fingers found his scarred cheek, rubbing…. Finn had been there for him through some very dark times.

  “Do you think its wise to seek out Nick while you feel this way?” A mild voice interrupted his thoughts.

  “What the fuck do you want?” Kain growled, not happy to see Siren lurking near the police station.

  Siren shrugged. “Maybe I feel responsible. I did make you, after all.”

  “Make me what?” Kains lips twisted. “A monster?”

  “Surely thats for you to decide?” Siren lifted his brows. “Ive just been with your Nick.” Kain s eyes narrowed and settled on a bright mark on Sirens neck. Siren smiled.

  Kain took a deep breath, tamping down his instinctive rage. “He didnt let you touch him.”

  “So sure?”

  “Yes.” Kain squelched the doubt. “Nick wouldnt be disloyal. Its not in him.” “ Youre fortunate,” Siren agreed.

  “I have places to be.” Kain opened the drivers-side door.

  “ Do you think you should go after him while youre so weak? Remember you once put him in the hospital.” Siren stepped close. “Nearly killed him, didnt you? Take me; drink from me.”

  “Youd like that, wouldnt you?” Kain shook his head. Siren sighed, looking exasperated. He reached out and grazed the scarring, swallowing when Kain jerked away. “Id like to see you the way you looked that night at Manticore. The most beautiful man Id ever seen.”

  Kain caught his hand. “Touch me again and youll regret it.” “Do you really need to carry these now youre with Nick?” Siren pushed.

  Kains jaw tightened as he struggled with himself. “Im not asking for your help.”

  Siren reached out, touched Kains tense shoulder.

  And Kains lips covered the bite Nick had made. Siren gasped as he bit down. Hard. SIREN was panting, leaning against Kains car. Kain licked the mark. Hoarsely, Siren said,“Kain, I wanted to tell you….”

  “What?”

  “The losing time. Its not normal for us.”

  Kain looked away, eyes bleak like the late-winter cityscape. “I figured. Nick thinks Finns involved somehow. Whatever the fuck is going down, Im going to get to the bottom of it. Fix it. Find Nick and get his bossy little ass back under my roof.” His lips quirked. “Let him work with a contractor and renovate my house.”

  Siren studied Kain. “You love him.”

  “ Yes.”

  “Does he know?”

  “How could he not?” Kain looked faintly annoyed. “I promised to tear out my seventies bathroom for him!”

  “THINK about it,” Nick continued, counting off fingers. “Kain was

  changed that night. He and Ross fought. And Aaron, Rosss boyfriend, died.” Luke nodded, sipping the herb tea he d made for himself. Nick leaned forward. “Or did he?”

  Nicks Blackberry beeped imperiously and he checked it. “Kain!
He sounds in a mood. Ill just text him back where he can find me….” A knock on Luke s apartment door made Lukes eyes widen. “No one knows you live here?” Nick guessed.

  “ Not „til Siren helped me back to my place.” Luke shook his head, unlocking the door.“Maybe Kain tracked you down already with his help.”

  Bang!

  Nick dropped his Blackberry.

  Luke lay on the floor, bleeding, staring up at the man who had shot him. Finn smiled coldly at him. “Hello, Luke. Silver. Youll stay down.” He pointed the gun at Nick. “And you, dear, sweet, interfering little Nick. You just couldnt leave it alone, could you? Kain was isolated, disgraced, ripe to fall for the murders of all those whores.” His eyes narrowed. “Silver wont kill you but a bullet will.”

  “WHERE the fuck is Nick?”

  Lukes eyes snapped open.

  “Im not dead?” His voice sounded curious, removed to his own ears.

  Scarred face, green glowing eyes. Kain. Who faded from Luke s vision only to reappear a moment later with a dish towel featuring Quan Yin, Chinese goddess of mercy. Somehow her sorrowful face and Finns got mixed up in Lukes head so that he whispered, “Please let me heal you, Finn….”

  “ Siren told me about you; youre a shape-shifter. Tough. So you should be okay. Ive called someone to take care of you.” Kain had his phone in one ear. “And I called 911.”

  “Oh, good. If I dont make it, be sure to get the bullet as a memento. Solid silver,” Luke mumbled.

  “What the hell is going on?” A new voice, shocked.

  Kain stood. “I need you to take care of him, Ross. And stay with him tonight; somethings going down I dont want you mixed up with.” “Did you…?” Ross swallowed thickly. “I cant believe youd hurt someone.”

  “I never have.” Kains voice was flat, certain.

  KAINS gaze took in the leather portfolio leaning by the door, the

  abandoned Blackberry on the floor in front of the couch.

  He knelt by Luke, shaking him. “Who took Nick?”