“If it wasn’t for revenge, why did you follow me to the club that night?”
He sighed and closed his eyes for a few seconds. “I don’t know. I guess I wanted to demonize you and the rest of the Winterbornes. If I could do that, I could justify hating you. But I knew the second we spoke you weren’t a cold-blooded killer. I also knew I had to see you again.” His brows twisted as a perplexed look fell over his face. “I was drawn to you like a magnet.”
“With everything that’s happened, why didn’t you tell me the truth?”
“I just did, and I’m terrified you’ll hate me for it.”
I could never hate him, but…
When he suddenly came toward me, I held my hand up to stop him. “I know you would never intentionally hurt me, Hawk, but you just did. Give me a minute.”
When he stopped and looked up, I followed his eyes to the giant crow circling overhead.
“Perfect timing,” he said. “That damn bird needs to learn how to call before showing up.” He grumbled a few choice words under his breath before pulling his eyes away from the sky. “Can I come back tomorrow night, or do you need more time to decide whether you ever want to see me again?”
“You’re leaving?”
He nodded to the sky. “If that crow lands, I am.”
“Are you kidding? A couple of days ago, you and that crow joined forces to save me.”
“That’s true, but those were extenuating circumstances. We had a mutual objective. Crows and hawks are natural enemies, Morgan. It’s going to take a little time before we can share the same space without killing each other.”
As the crow landed on the terrace wall, Hawk spread his wings and lifted into the air. I exchanged one bird for another and wondered if they could ever coexist the way they had the night they got me out of Ryker’s apartment.
You look well, Morgan Winterborne.
“Just Morgan please.”
Very well, Morgan. I see you’ve taken back your kingdom.
“That depends on who you ask. My uncle Cabot might disagree with you.”
Then I guess the player with the most determination will win.
I looked at the conservatory and felt a heaviness in my heart. Though I was grateful for the crow saving me from my father, he would never replace Monoclaude.
You’ll have to go in there sooner or later, the crow said, following my gaze to the glass wall. The orchids will eventually wither from neglect.
“Why are you here?”
The crow turned its head. I didn’t know how to recognize a look of surprise on a bird’s face, but I could see it in his eyes.
We’re a team. It’s my duty to be here when you’re most vulnerable.
“Is that what happened last night at the blood den? I appreciate it, but you don’t have to protect me.”
I wasn’t. I was preventing you from doing something stupid. Going too deep into the other world and liking it a little too much.
I laughed with a huff. “That’s funny. Hawk’s worried about the same thing. That I’ll start to like it too much. You two have more in common than you realize.”
He’s right to worry. You must control the blood. Otherwise the blood will control you. But I’m not here to school you on becoming a vampire. I’m here to warn you. Something’s coming. A threat in plain sight. I can’t see it with my mind’s eye yet, but I can sense it. In time, it will be clear.
“The Caspians? I already know about them.”
I don’t think you do.
“What does that mean?”
The terrace door opened, and Rebecca stepped outside. “Who are you talking to?”
I heard a flap of wings and noticed the crow had shrunk down to a normal size. He flew into the sky and cawed as he disappeared toward the river.
“I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t walk into my home without an invitation,” I said, thankful she hadn’t walked out and found Hawk on the terrace. Although he’d been cleared of any crime and we both knew her attack had been staged, it didn’t mean the clan had accepted him. She would have made an unpleasant scene.
She smiled a little too sweetly. “I’m here to wave a white flag. The other night was uncomfortable for everyone, and we’re all members of the same clan. Can’t we get past our differences and try to be a family again?”
Family? The woman couldn’t stand the sight of me. And after I’d put her in her place the other night at council, she must hate me even more. I’d pulled the dirty little rug right out from under her when she’d tried to get rid of me so her husband and daughter could move to the top of the pecking order. I’d never trust her again. But in the spirit of watching my back, I decided to play along.
“I accept your flag as long as you understand that Hawk is welcome here.”
Her face flushed, but she held back her anger and carried on with the charade. “I stand by my testimony, but since he’s been cleared of the crime, I suppose I’ll have to accept him.”
“What can I do for you?” I asked, hoping to get rid of her as fast as possible.
“Cabot and I wanted to invite you to breakfast tomorrow morning. We’d like to discuss how we can move forward after everything that’s happened recently.”
“You mean he would like to discuss it.”
She did that flushing thing again. “Of course.”
“I appreciate the invitation, but I’ll be going to the auction house tomorrow morning to let everyone know I’ll be returning soon. Maybe another time.”
Her face suddenly went blank. I guess she’d just assumed I’d roll over and let her husband continue to dictate what I could and couldn’t do with regards to the company. “I see,” she eventually said. “I’ll let Cabot know.”
She turned to leave, to run back to Cabot with the news, no doubt. I could hear her grumbling under her breath as she walked back inside.
“Rebecca,” I said, following her to the elevator. “Nothing has changed. I will take my place as CEO of Winterborne Holdings in the future, and Georgia will never be queen.”
Refusing to turn around as I spoke, she stepped into the elevator and avoided looking at me when she pushed the button for her floor. Probably to hide the murderous look in her eyes.
Chapter 5
Jakob gave me a sly smile when I stepped off the elevator. “You look very businesslike. Going back to work today?”
“Not yet, but I am going over to the auction house to let everyone know that I will be soon. I also want to see if Cabot has actually hired someone to replace me.” It was ten o’clock on a Monday morning, late enough for me to meet the unfortunate soul.
“No one can replace you, Mora.”
“Yeah, right. Everyone’s replaceable, which is why I need to get down there to set the record straight. It’s not fair to string someone along and let them think they’ve found their dream job.”
The car pulled up out front. As usual, Edward got out and walked around to the rear door to wait for me. I was surprised Cabot hadn’t tried to reassign him just to throw a wrench in my plan when Rebecca went running back to him the night before with the news.
“Be careful, Mora. Cabot is still licking his wounds, and nothing is more dangerous than a wounded wolf.”
Jakob walked me to the front door and held it open, but before I could make it outside, I heard Cabot’s voice.
“Morgan, wait.”
“Not now, Cabot.” I didn’t bother to look back and kept walking toward the car. “I’ve got some damage to undo at the auction house. If you want to talk, we can do it tonight.”
“You can’t just waltz in there as if nothing has happened.”
I finally turned around to look him in the eye. “And what exactly has happened? You mean your attempt to railroad me and Hawk? Or are you referring to my refusal to let it happen?” His delusions of power were starting to try my patience. “Jesus, Cabot, you’re lucky you’re my uncle.”
His face hardened. “For Christ’s sake, I’m the goddamn CEO, and you’
ll do as I say where the business is concerned.”
I gave him an incredulous look. “You’re kidding me, right? In a few years I’ll be the CEO of Winterborne Holdings, so you might want to rethink the attitude. I’m not a saint, and there’s only so much I can take from you. And stop sending your wife to do your dirty work.”
As I started to step inside the car, Cabot grabbed my arm and pulled me back. I looked at his fingers digging into my flesh and resisted the urge to send him flying across the sidewalk. Rebecca had gotten exactly what she deserved when I set her straight the other night, but Cabot was still my blood and I was afraid of hurting him, even if it was just his pride. “I don’t want to hurt you, so take your hand off me before I do something I’ll regret.”
I didn’t have to do anything. Edward grabbed Cabot’s wrist and squeezed it until he let go of me.
Cabot stumbled back and flexed his hand. The look in his eyes was so hateful I thought I was going to have to intervene to save my driver from the wrath of a seasoned immortal hunter. But a moment later, that hatred turned smug. “You just got yourself fired.”
Edward looked at me for a second before cutting his eyes back to Cabot’s. “It was worth it.” He motioned for me to get in the car, ignoring Cabot’s dismissal. “Get in, Morgan. I’ll take you where you need to go.”
Through it all, Jakob watched from the door with a slight grin on his face.
I climbed in the back seat and tried to steady my shaking limbs. It was anger, not fear. After everything that had happened, I still loved my uncle and hesitated to use my powers on him. But I knew deep down that the day would come.
“You’re not fired,” I said when Edward got in and pulled away for the curb. He looked at me through the rearview mirror but didn’t say anything.
We headed the usual way up Central Park West, but when we got to Seventy-Ninth Street, the car didn’t turn to go through the park to the East Side. “You just missed the turn.” Without responding, he kept driving. “Edward? Where are you going?”
My heart started to race as he glanced at me through the mirror again, only this time his hazel eyes had lost their warmth.
“I told you I’d take you where you needed to go,” he said, returning his eyes to the road.
The energy in the palm of my hand started to build as my annoyance turned to fear. “I don’t want to hurt you,” I said as I leaned toward the front seat, “but I’ll run this car off the road if you don’t stop right now.”
He smiled and turned left. “As you wish. We’re here.”
“Where’s here?” I looked at the brownstone he’d parked in front of and got out before he did. We were right off the park, so I started walking toward it, reconsidering Cabot’s firing.
“Morgan!”
I turned around when I heard Samuel’s voice. He was standing on the sidewalk next to Edward. “What are you doing here?” I asked him, glancing up and down the block as if some sort of recognition would miraculously kick in. “I thought you were going out to Brooklyn this morning to check out that shop?”
“I did. The place was closed. The sign said it opens at nine o’clock, but the woman in the café a few doors down said no one has been there for over a week.”
“Damn it,” I hissed under my breath. “So we’re back to square one.”
“We’ll just have to pay the owner a visit, but right now I need you to come with me.”
The house was dark when we walked inside. Sparsely furnished with a sofa, table, and a few chairs. But there was no hominess to the place—it was like no one actually lived there.
I followed them into the living room, and Edward walked over to the front window.
“It’s like a funeral parlor in here,” he said, pulling the drapes open.
“Which one of you wants to tell me what’s going on?” I said, grateful for the light suddenly shining through the place. “Where are we?”
Samuel motioned around the room. “Headquarters. This is where the Order meets.” I must have looked surprised. “Well, you don’t expect us to meet in the Winterborne Building, do you? Can’t have my brother sniffing us out at my apartment.”
I suddenly thought about Samuel’s reclusive wife. “Does Charlotte know?”
“You can ask her yourself.”
He beckoned me to follow him down the hallway to a room on the right. When I walked inside, I was surprised to see my aunt Charlotte sitting in a chair by the window, drawing something on a sketchpad. To say that I was shocked was an understatement. Charlotte was an empath, I’d recently discovered. It clarified a lot of things I’d noticed about her over the years, including her inability to bear even the mildest of confrontations. Hunting was the last thing I imagined she could handle. I also hadn’t seen her in weeks. She couldn’t even bring herself to attend my mother’s memorial service, but here she was at the epicenter of the Order.
She stood up and walked over to me, examining my eyes curiously before embracing me. “I always knew you were just like her,” she said, stepping back and tucking my hair behind my ear with her index finger.
I smiled. “It’s been a long time since you’ve left your apartment. I should have stopped by to see how you were doing.” I felt guilty for not checking in on her.
Her face was radiant. “Oh, I’ve left. I’ve been spending a lot of time with your mother.”
Samuel cleared his throat. “Not now, Charlotte. Morgan has enough to take in right now.”
“What is she talking about?” I asked him.
He shook his head discreetly. “She’s a little tired. Let’s head back to the living room. The others should be arriving any minute now.”
More confused than ever, I followed him back down the hall, wondering if Charlotte was starting to lose her mind. There had been whispers about her mental state for a while now, and I worried those whispers were more than just gossip.
“There you are,” Jakob said when we entered the living room. He was with James and Olivia, who apparently were indeed playing for both teams. Edward was still there too, which begged the question of why my driver knew about the Order.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see you here, Jakob, but what is Edward doing here?”
Edward glanced at Samuel. “Would you like me to tell her?”
“He’s a member of the Order,” Samuel said. “He knows more about the boxes than any of us.”
Glancing back at Edward, I started to piece a theory together. “How?”
“Because he’s seen them with his own eyes, and that makes him a very valuable member of the team.”
It all started to sink in and make sense. His protectiveness of me, the fact that he was my mother’s driver. “You’re the boy. Your mother was the vampire who stole the boxes and sold them to the hunter.”
He flashed his fangs for a brief second, and then they disappeared. “My mother died trying to save me from the curse of being a Caspian. I intend to find those boxes, and then I’ll kill them all.”
I laughed weakly. “No wonder you didn’t care about losing your job.”
“You have no idea how many times I’ve wanted to break his arm when he touches you.” He glanced at Samuel. “No offense, but your brother is a real dick.”
Samuel took a deep breath. “Cabot means well, and he actually believes he’s doing the right thing most of the time. It’s that viper he’s married to that concerns me.”
“What about you, Jakob? Have you been a member of the Order all this time?”
He gave me a sympathetic look that answered my question. “We were waiting for you to grow into your power before bringing you in. But now—”
“Now that I’m a vampire, I’m ready,” I said. “I guess that explains all the lessons you’ve been so eager to give me lately.”
Edward put it bluntly. “You’re also a Caspian, which uniquely qualifies you to hunt them. Same here. But you’re still a fledgling. As your inherent traits begin to surface, you’ll be able to sense them. One day you�
��ll walk into a room and you’ll know whether or not the people around you are Caspians too.”
Olivia was giving me a strange look.
“What?” I asked her.
“I was just wondering about your vampire boyfriend. Can we trust him?”
“He’s good,” Samuel said. “I vetted him personally.”
Jakob was watching me. He knew how I felt about Hawk, and I suspected he was prepared to intervene if the conversation had gone in a different direction. My relationship with Hawk was nonnegotiable, and they’d all learn soon enough that he’d be right beside me regardless of who or what I was hunting.
That brought up another question I’d been meaning to ask. “So what now? Am I still expected to hunt with the Circle? I see the twins have no problem splitting their time between both teams.”
“Come with me.” Samuel led everyone into the dining room to discuss business. “Rule number one,” he said, still standing while the rest of us sat. “The Order comes first.” He planted his index finger on the table. “Hunt for whatever you like, but this is your priority. This is your home.”
James leaned back in his chair and gave me a cocky grin. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that. Cabot has no intention of letting you rejoin the Circle.”
“Cabot doesn’t make the rules,” I shot back at him.
“Calm down, Mora,” Jakob said. “There’s no need to hunt Night Walkers right now. The Circle will survive without you. It’s the one thing Cabot thinks he has full domain over. Do I need to remind you that you’re dealing with an enemy every time you go out into the field? And I’m not talking about the Walkers.”
I knew whom he was referring to. Rebecca had sabotaged me more than once during a hunt, and even though I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself, it was a risk that wasn’t necessary for me or Hawk.
“Let Cabot have a win. Think of it as throwing him a small bone.”
“You’re right, as usual.”
Savage Sons (House of Winterborne Book 2) Page 4
